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January 23, 2009
NEWS FROM THE MAYOR
Dear Friends,
Last month, my office coordinated the City of Milwaukee's second Christmas Care Package Drive for troops serving overseas. The drive was a tremendous success and truly a community effort.
I would like to recognize and extend my thanks to everyone who participated in the drive. Once again, city employees donated hundreds of boxes of treats and monetary donations. Many also offered their time by packing up all 375 boxes that were shipped overseas. Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jeff Suppan generously agreed to pick up the shipping costs for the boxes. The U.S. Postal Service provided manpower, shipping supplies, and offered the military shipping rate.
Area businesses gave 180 boxes of sunflower seeds, a $1,000 donation in treats, 200 CDs and 200 cases of beef jerky. Lamar Advertising provided electronic displays along the freeways advertising the drive.
All across the city, residents stepped up to give back to American troops. This generosity was greatly appreciated by troops serving in Afghanistan, where the boxes were shipped. They received so many supplies, in fact, that the Milwaukee troops were able to share them with units from across the country. I have received countless letters from sergeants, majors, pilots and civilian employees thanking everyone who participated in the care package drive. Some of these troops are located in very remote areas and were grateful for even basic goods that are hard to come by.
Here are just some of the responses I received from the troops and their families:
" I am the mother to one of the "boys" over at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan. I'd personally like to thank you and everyone involved who sent the care packages to them. I couldn't believe when I read over 300 boxes of goodies were sent and Jeff Suppan paid the shipping. People sure can come through sometimes and I'm so grateful for everyone's generosity." -Jean Love, works for Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. Law Firm
" I decided to write to let you know how much your support from home means to us out here in a war zone. Your average soldier puts in long hours and endures many a frustrating day with primitive living conditions not to mention the little things in life we enjoy and take for granted, but now are greatly missed." -Sergeant Michael Scofield, lives in California but his mother was born in Arcadia, WI
"Thank you for all that you do back home, and for remembering us during the holiday season. Although I have never been to Milwaukee I have felt its warmth from here." -Sergeant Benjamin Garate
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all Americans who supports us in the endeavor to stop terrorism before it hits our country again. While I'm here as a civilian I have been deployed to Iraq as a soldier with my National Guard unit from Idaho. While there, the packages like yours were very much the highlight of mail call." -James E. Bramell
"I really don't quite know what to say. I'm floored by everyone's generosity and truly humbled that people would go to the trouble and expense just for us." -Major Glenn Evenson, distributed care packages to troops from Milwaukee and Sheboygan
I felt privileged to do my small part to support the troops overseas, and I again thank everyone who also participated in the drive. I am truly honored to work for a city that is committed to civic duty and giving back to those who serve our country.
Boxes were sent to members of the 128th Security Forces Squadron at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan. The unit is from Milwaukee.
Members of C Co. 1-168 Medevac CA/NV National Guard enjoyed the sunflower seeds they received from Milwaukee last month. Darren Henley, a member of the unit, said, " It is greatly appreciated the support that you give us here. We have much work to do here and look forward to when our time here is complete and we can return home."
A member of the Air Force sorts packages that arrived in Afghanistan before Christmas.
Sincerely,
Mayor, City of Milwaukee
Visit my website at: http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/mayor
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