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From: Derek Callender
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2005 9:00 PM
To: Bruce
Subject: Thank you for the coffee.

To all of you,

I would like to say thank for your donation of coffee to the troops serving over here in Iraq. I am a contract firefighter working alongside the military. We also support the troops, but in a different way. While they are protecting you at home and me here in Iraq, we protect the place they live while deployed here in country. We are responsible for all fire services contained to the base. It is a trying job, but not as trying as serving as a solider in the military. I have an entirely newfound respect for the United States military since having accepted a position to work in the Middle East. I wasn't raised in a military family nor was I widely exposed to the military way of life. Since going to work here in Iraq, I have realized what it means to actually love our country. The little things that you so often forget and take for granted are some of things the troops miss so much from the normal lives. How many of you have to get up in the morning and brush your teeth with bottled water because the water where you are has bacteria in it and could cause illness? How many of you have to live your life through emails and brief phone calls back home? How many of you sleep next to a Kevlar vest and helmet? These are just a few of the many things our troops deal with on a daily basis and your donation of coffee is one of those special little things that lift spirits. It's one of those things that show they are being supported and someone cares. I know this because I see it every time a care package comes in the mail from a caring person such as you. I know how much it means to them because when we get something in, we try to pass it around and share it with others as the troops that received this coffee has done to us. It doesn't matter if you are a civilian or a soldier, we all work together to take care of each other. A lot of the troops have a limited time to spend each day to talk to their families back home, whether it is through email or on the telephone, sometimes its days before they get a chance to contact someone. That is the reason I am writing you in this email. I wanted each and every one of you know that you are very much appreciated and your thoughtfulness does not go unnoticed. To all of you I send a sincere thanks and I hope you keep up your support of these fine men and women serving you.

Thank you,
Derek Callender
Combat Firefighter, Iraq