Northern Kentucky Blue Star Mothers

Howdy!

I came out of a dull meeting yesterday to see a pyramid of boxes on my desk.  The boxes y'all sent arrived and my Marines piled them up and topped it off with an American flag.  Thanks so much for all the boxes! 

I made sure to pass them out to the junior Marines in my section.  One went to one of the Captains who hadn't received very many.  I also have six remaining to go out to one of the local teams of 15 Marines that works off base with the Iraqi Army.  Having done that for a year, I know the frustration those guys have so figured I'd give em a treat the next time they stop by. 

I know that I and my Marines really appreciated the boxes.  CD's and movies, cookies and hygiene stuff was all awesome.  It really worked out for one Marine that got movie and popcorn as he was able to have himself a little movie night.  Everyone here is generally in good spirits but y'all provided an even bigger morale boost. 

As always, thanks again for all your support!
Love ya!
Jeremy de Vries

I just wanted to say hi and thanks for the birthday package! I was on day 28 without mail (due to weather and one package getting lost). Mail finally came in today and the birthday package came along with some of the stuff from my family.

It definately made for a really awesome day. I wore the party hat while I opened up the rest of my care packages. I'm sure I looked a little goofy wearing it in uniform as the senior enlisted Marine in the office though :) It was really great getting all the cards as well! I can't thank you all enough for everything, the letters, emails and the package. It's been really terrific. I'll be sure to write actual letters to everyone as well.

I hope that you all are doing well. How did y'alls meeting go on the 20th? How successful has the 'Share Your Dream' program been so far?

Please be sure to tell all the wonderful ladies at BSM of NKY Chapter 5 that I said howdy! I'll be sure to write again soon!"

Take care and best regards,
Jeremy M. de Vries
GySgt / USMC

I wanted to take a minute to thank all of you for everything you do to support us troops here in Iraq and abroad. It truly does mean a lot to all of us soldiers, when we are having a rough day, or down and out and mail comes and there is a package of goodies from you all. Truly does put a smile on our faces and feels good inside. This is my second deployment to Iraq and when I was here during the first year of the war we didn’t have any groups sending us packages over here.

I just wanted to write and send my heart felt thank you for everything you all are doing. Keep up the good work and we will be seeing you very soon. It meant a lot to me to receive a Christmas box and a birthday card and everything with everyone’s signature on it. Once again thanks for everything."

(Sandy Bolmer’s son)

This is GySgt Jeremy de Vries.  I came to KY to talk to y'alls Blue Star Mothers group.  I just wanted to thank y'all for having me at your event.  I ended up at some really neat events over the summer, but really had a blast at yours.  Unfortunately, the Grand Ol' Opry had you beat, but only by a little bit, and that's only because I got to meet Lee Greenwood and go on stage there. 

After the speaking tour, I got to spend a few months with my family back home, have a nice Christmas with them, and then was back in Iraq by New Years.  Can't say that it's necessarily good to be back here, but it's not too bad.  The chow hall feeds me well and I'm lucky enough that I have my own room (with my Tennessee flag flying proudly in it).  I hope that you all are doing well and thank you all so much for giving me a taste of home while on my little speaking tour. 

Please be sure to pass on my thanks to your daughters and say hello to Michelle and all the other ladies at BSM."


Sincerely,

Jeremy M. de Vries
GySgt  USMC 

"Dear Blue Star Mothers,

Thank you very much for the love and support of American military men and women. It’s wonderful to serve and protect this country for ones like yourself. Your support gives each and every soldier more courage and bravery.

Again, thanks for everything. May God Bless you and your families over the holidays and throughout your life."

SPC Logan, Julia

PV2 Stephane M. Salet

"To my friends I have some life updates: Yesterday you may have seen my son on the news. Stephane was following a car down a winding country road when that car lost control and spun out. The car wrapped around a tree and started smoking right away. It quickly burst into flames. The passenger side was wrapped around the tree, but the driver's side door came open and he pulled an 18 year old boy out who's legs were broken. The flames got higher and he had to move the boy far enough away in case of an explosion.

He was then ran back to try and get the young female out of the car. The seat belt was twisted in the metal of the car and he did not have a knife to cut it. He tried desperately to get her out, but the fire took over the car. As you know Stephane just got back from his Army training and was prepared to handle emergencies. He wasn't prepared to watch a life lost.

He was destroyed and called me sobbing uncontrollable. It was some time before the police and fire could get there since it was out in the county, and when they did they called me to get me down there to help support him.

He was hero, he saved the young boy's life and I told him God knows he did his best and it wasn't his fault. The news media was taken by his heroic actions and came to our home to interview him. Today I ask for your thoughts and prayer for the families of the deceased and the injured. They will have a difficult holiday."

"I just wanted to let you know we received the care packages today and as soon as I can get them passed out and pictures taken I will get them sent out to you.

Thanks again."

Sgt Hester Bravo Co 1 149th Infantry Division Baghdad Iraq

My name is Keith Ransdell and I am serving in Baghdad, Iraq with the 1/149th Infantry Battalion of the Kentucky National Guard. Last week, we received some very kind gifts from you and your organization and it was greatly appreciated. The gift boxes contained many useful items to us as well as things to just remind you of home. I can’t say in words how much this means to us! It is very hard being here doing what we have to do on a daily basis, not to mention being away from our friends and loved ones back home. I would just like to say thank you for your love and kindness that you have given to us. We need that support so much. It’s what keeps us going over here!


Thank you again and God bless you."


Sincerely,
Keith Ransdell

“First of all I would like to thank the Northern Kentucky Blue Star Mothers organization for sending my fellow soldiers and myself the care packages. It really helps getting these packages because it gives a little something from home. My name is Sgt Joseph Brown and I am originally from Barbourville, Kentucky, but I currently live in Cumberland Gap, TN. I have a wife of 3 years and a son whom is 22 months. I have been in the Kentucky National Guard for a little over 4 years and this is my first deployment to Iraq.

Once again thanks for the goodie boxes and the only thing I ask is to continue to keep my family, my fellow soldiers and myself in your thoughts and prayers, and pray that everyone makes it back to their family and friends.”

Thanks,

Sgt Joe Brown

Company Bravo 1/149th

APO 09342-1400

I just thought that I would drop a few lines to see how your group is doing and to again thank you so much for the help with my grandmother. Our family has had some hard times in the last few weeks. My other grandmother died at the end of Feb. and I was unable to attend. The price of the tickets were so much that I could not in good conscience do that. We are trying to fly home this summer before my hubby is deployed again but of course trying to buy 5 tickets is rather expensive. Also, I have been really sick and I feel bad because I was unable to hold our daughters birthday parties like we do every year. I just was physically unable to do it. We are almost out of boxes, the key word is almost. We still have not told the kids about dad leaving again. Or the rest of the family. We don’t want them all to dwell on it. This will be his 4th time.

Other than all of that things are well. I seen where you got A LOT of snow this year. Of course we didn’t. We got a light dusting one night. Boy the kids were praying for it. Well, I had better get going. I am doing some stuff for an Easter Egg Hunt and it is so much fun stuffing 500 eggs. Well, you have a great week and thanks again for all you do to support our troops. I know that you get a lot of thanks but I wanted to let you know that I APPRECIATE YOU!!!


Thanks again and GOD BLESS.”


Allison Walker