I RECEIVED A LETTER RECENTLY FROM A PLATOON SERGEANT IN AFGHANISTAN : "Dearest Gina, I am the Maneuver Platoon Sergeant here in *******Afghanistan. I have a total of 20 Airborne Paratroopers under my supervision. We conduct a variety of patrols and leader engagements throughout our AO. I found your story in the Stars and Stripes and thought of how much calendars are needed where we are located. See, we are a very small FOB, slightly over 200 Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen. We lack lots of the amenities located at larger FOBs (ie:Cold Drinks, Mail, Finance and lots more). I wish to ask if you could send a few of your calendars to our FOB for distribution. I thank you for all your support from the homefront. " I WAS VERY TOUCHED BY THIS PLATOON SERGEANT'S REQUEST AND I PROMISED TO SEND DONATED CALENDARS FROM THE "PIN-UPS FOR VETS" SUPPORTERS TO HIS SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND AIRMEN. BUT, I ALSO SENT ALONG THIS LETTER TO MY AWESOME BROOKINGS HARBOR REDSHIRTS IN OREGON. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THESE HARD-WORKING FAIRY GOD-MOTHERS AND FAIRY GOD-FATHERS HAD PUT TOGETHER LOTS AND LOTS OF BOXES OF NEEDED ITEMS TO SEND TO THIS GROUP OF BRAVE DEPLOYED HEROES IN AFGHANISTAN !! HERE IS THE NOTE I RECEIVED FROM THIS PLATOON SERGEANT: "Hello, Gina, I am writing on behalf of all the Soldiers here in*****Afghanistan. We would like to send our thanks for all the boxes we received--- the most since we've been here. We received almost 20 boxes of goodies of all kinds, which have been distributed amongst the Soldiers as needed. The weather here is getting cooler, which is good for us while on missions. So far we have been very fortunate here and hope it stays that way. Hope you will send our thanks to the Brookings-Harbor Red Shirts for all their Support. " ALL MY LOVE AND ADMIRATION GOES TO THESE COURAGEOUS TROOPS AND ALL MY APPRECIATION TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BROOKINGS HARBOR REDSHIRTS FOR MAKING THE LIVES OR OUR TROOPS A LITTLE BIT EASIER. THIS AMAZING SUPPORT FROM THE HOMEFRONT IS SO APPRECIATED BY OUR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY, AND I AM SO VERY PROUD TO KNOW SUCH A GENEROUS GROUP LIKE THE REDSHIRTS IN OREGON. BLESS YOU ALL !! HUGS FROM GINA ELISE !!