Support Our Troups
Say Thanks to our Troops!
Click here if you would like to send a Thank You note to our troops!
BPOE #2731 recently made a contribution to a cause that we felt was very worthy of our attention. Bob Williams of Wesley Chapel has been sending care packages to out troops wherever they are for a long time. The following link tells you a little about his efforts and how it works. Click here.
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If you would like to know more about this worthy cause or contact Bob Williams, Click here.
TO ALL LODGE #2731 MEMBERS
Elks Support Our Troops Project!
Join other volunteers to help pack and prepare the "care package" boxes for mailing. Even if you can only give a few hours a week, all time donated is greatly appreciated!!
Monday through Saturday 9:00AM – 4:00PM. (Bob's building is on Hwy. 54 next to Wesley Chapel US Post office.)
Call or Email Bob Williams and pick your hours!
Phone: 813-991-9400 or 800-367-3591
Email: sift@aol.com
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Since the donation made by BPOE, we have started to receive email from some of the guys that have received packages due to our donation and it's very heartwarming to know how much they appreciate getting these "care packages" from home. The following are a couple of the emails that we have received.
From: Federici, Jeremy J SGT MIL USA FORSCOM
[mailto:jeremy.federici@us.army.mil]
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 9:36 AM
To: BPOE2731@tampabay.rr.com
Subject: Thank you!
Dear Elks Lodge #2731,
I have received the care package that you have sent me and I would like to
say thank you. All the soldiers in my platoon are now eating a bunch of
girl scout cookies and they love them. My unit will be returning from this
deployment after 15 long months in August. Thanks again and keep supporting
the troops!
SGT Jeremy J. Federici
4-6 ACS
GO CAV!!!
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From: VikingTMC * [mailto:vikingtmc@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:13 AM
To: BPOE2731@TAMPABAY.RR.COM
Subject: Fw: Re: :-)
ELKS Lodge #2731,
This is the letter I wrote to Bob Williams who stocked the package you paid for.
Once again thanks,
CPT David Ellis
B 1/61 CAV
Waza Khwa
APO AE 09354
--- On Wed, 6/25/08, VikingTMC * wrote:
From: VikingTMC *
Subject: Re: :-)
To: SIFT@aol.com
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 2:04 AM
Bob,
Your package arrived yesterday. To a Cavalry trooper there are two things in life; your
Stetsin and a good cigar. The cigars you sent went over big. We have no stores, no PX, no
American food, occasional internet at best and constant patrols.
They liked the cigars better then any supply shipment we've gotten.......
We are a Cavalry troop that is spread very thin. We have 3 firebases and we are covering
them with only one CAV troop. These guys go out on patrol 3-5 times a week. Plus guard
mount. There is very little down time. I've been on multiple deployments and always outside
the wire. The OpTempo here is very high. These guys are out on patrol 1/3 of the time. This is
the real deal, no FOBBITS here..... We treat US, Polish and Afghan troops/police. We also treat
civilians, locals, women and children. There is only myself and one medic here. We had over
240 patients in under 30 days. The large bases have stores, PX and multiple aid stations. Here
the aid station is the store, PX, counseling center, loan office, etc.
Here's a pic of a goat I traded for, his name is dinner. The second is from a patrol, one didn't
come back. We are eating him tonight.
We are going to take a group pic by our flag pole with your cigars. Unfortunately our flag is at
1/2 mass again. It has been at 1/2 mass the majority of time we have been here.
THANKS again,
CPT David Ellis
B 1/61 CAV
Waza Khwa
APO AE 09354
More emails that Bob Williams has received from the troops!
Click here.