Palmisano Care Package Project .com

Dear Friends,

This email is a very rewarding one for me as this indicates my shortness of time left here in the combat zone of Afghanistan. Yes, my unit, the 203rd Engineer Battalion, is heading back to Joplin, Missouri, demobilizing, and rolling on (for security reasons I cannot be precise in departure time and date). FYI, Chaplain David Dietz is the new Chaplain so that you can now continue sending packages to military personnel. The address is still the same, just a different Chaplain (see the address highlighted in yellow below). If you begin sending packages using CH Dietz’s name, you can be assured that it will arrive here and whether or not he is here, you packages will get sent to the Chaplain Store at the end of the hall.

It is hard to say thanks in an email as you have put care and love into packages sent these past eleven months. We have received well over 3500 boxes of snack food, toiletries, bedding, writing implements; and office items like refrigerators, microwaves, printers, coffee pots, and toys magazines and videos. We have sent your packages all over the eastern mountains of Afghanistan (particularly East Paktika—if you look at map of Afghanistan and find this region, you can ascertain just how far and wide your packages traveled). Some of these bases are so small that there is not a store selling deodorant or shampoo—so you realize that your contributions helped our Soldiers maintain high standards.

As a chaplain from the Presbyterian Church, I fathom God’s Word in application here: you are like the “Good Samaritan,” who in the Bible gave all he had financially to take care of someone in need outside of his family. Your devotion to the US Military is legendary, and the Chaplain Corp has enjoyed distributing your bounty to all military people. To date, I have seen Navy, Air Force, Marines take items that YOU stocked!. My unit had given the Chaplain the largest office and we constructed shelves for distribution.

Thus, I am humbled at the outpouring of support and thank you on behalf of the 203rd Engineer Commander and the Command Sergeant Major, and especially the men and women who have worked hard to accomplish the peace keeping mission we were sent here to safeguard. While we are going home, there is another generation of Army that will take our place, they too would enjoy and benefit from your support.

I wish you and your organization many blessings and joy in all that you do for the sake of world peace. I always think of the Lord’s Prayer that says, “…Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven…” In some ways, as I see it, you have made this divine prayer a growing reality at least in the lives of the Soldiers. God bless you and Good bye for now.

Best wishes,
Chaplain (CPT) Bryan Walker

“A Psalm of David. Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle–my lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the one in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me.” Psalm 144:1-2

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Subject: Hello

“I dont think I thanked you for the package you sent me . I am sorry if I didnt, and I would really Like to say thank you for all you do..”

Just wanted to let you know I have received both packages. Thank you
very much.

Thanks Always,
MMFN Costello, Joseph M

Good afternoon,

Thank you for the care package that I received. I hadn’t received any mail and it was very motivating to receive a package. It came in a time of need as well. I can’ thank you enough.

SPC Dennes, Amanda

Hello Bobbie,

Very nice to hear from you, as always. My unit is well and we are actually breathing a sigh of relief as we get closer to our date of return from Afghanistan. Still we have around four months to go in the fight that we are engaged here on the Eastern region. I am traveling quite a lot with many of our units stretched along the Pakistan border. A lot of hostilities are brewing and we are taking quite a lot of indirect rifle fire.

Still we are surviving quite well. Thanks for continuing support in sending care packages to our Soldiers. My staff (and I have CC’d him above) is quite eager to send out all the neat things you send us. So thanks many times over again. I regret that you didn’t get my hard copy thank you note that I sent digitally (and now I am glad that I did send it through email). Maybe you can send me your mailing address here so that I can ensure you are on my mailing list (I am quite sure you are because you have sent us in excess of over 500 packages that I can venture a guess).

Thanks again for everything and I do look forward to the correspondence. God bless you with peace joy and love!

Best wishes,

Chaplain (CPT) Bryan Walker
203d Engineer Battalion

From a fellow truck driver of Herb’s – who was at the site the day Eric died

To the proud parents of Lcpl. Eric A.Palmisano

I have often wondered how the family’s of those marines are doing. Up to this week I only knew how I felt and what I saw after the rescue attempt, it was silent tears pouring from deep wounds, fallen heroes and heroes left standing against the backdrop of a thunderous rushing water.

This week I felt honored to have meet the father of Eric. He came to Iraq holding the memory of his son in his very heart & soul to walk a mile in his sons foot steps. WOW! That says it all.

GOD BLESS & CARRY YOU SAFELY THROUGH THIS EARTHLY JOURNEY

Robert Kinney (Breeze – Brezzz)

Eric Patenaude commented on his status:

I went and checked and got the box. thank you so much. I put it in the MWR bc we are heading out and I hope other marines can use the items. thanks again.

Hello Herb & Bobbie Samme

I’m writing on behalf of Spc Logan Dustin from Iron Mountain who received your package on 13 June 10. Just want to let you guys know we really appreciate the things that you all do for us as soldiers. I would like to submit two names.
Dennes Amanda
Domonique Abdalla

“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”

Dear Sir or Madam,

I just wanted to thank you for the recent care packages I recieved from you. As I’m sure you know, any piece of home that we get while in a war zone is very much appreciated. Thank you again for your hard work and dedication to America’s fighting men and women. God bless you and yours and take care.

Most respectfully yours,

SGT Caleb, Varoni

Herb & Bobbie Samme,
I would like to say is thank you very much for the car packages.
I have received both packages. It was something I would of never
expected to have packages come in. I don’t really no what to say is but,
Thank you. It put a smile on my face and made my day.

Thank You Very Much,
MMFN Costello, Joseph M.

P.S, You guys have a very kind heart and always be remembered..

Hello my name is Sgt Jason Dennis. I’m currently serving in Afghanistan
with the 1092d EN BN out of Parkersburg, WV. I spent 7 years in the
Marines so I know the pride your are referring to of with Eric. I’m
very sorry for your lose. But he served in what I consider to be the
finest branch out there.
We have just recently received on your care packages. I wanted to take
the time to thank you and your program. It is a wonderful thing you do
and the items will be used by all in our battalion. Thank you again for
your support.

Sincerely,
Sgt Jason Dennis

Dear Ma’am,

I wanted to drop you a note to say thanks for the package. Our mail service out here in my part of Paktika province Afghanistan isn’t exactly regular or timely. So when we do get something it really makes our day. Thanks for your time and effort to make our lives a bit better.

Sincerely,
Sgt Christopher Mace

Hello Mrs. Samme,
    My name is Mike Pantano, I’m currently stationed in COB Adder Talil Iraq with the Army. I had the honor and priviledge of meeting your husband in one of our chowhalls out here. He mistook my name for Patano, who apparently is one of the soldiers you send packages to. We got to talking and he told me all about your son Eric and the care package project you do in his honor. I find it very heart warming and inspiring to meet and hear about people like you and your husband. Your son is a hero and i’m honored to have met his father and to be able to contact his mother who do so much for us guys and girls out here.

   We found we had a bit in common, you’re father was a Chicago policeman and that is my current profession. I’m told he worked in 4th District, I don’t work too far from there, i’m in 22nd. Also my father is from Sicily and I heard Eric’s dad was from there as well.

   Again I thank you very much and appreciate all that you do for us out here. I know every package you send makes a troop feel closer to home and that he or she is missed and appreciated. If I can help you with anything let me know.

Here is my March newsletter. Please forgive me for the typo in the
heading. This is actually the 10th edition and not the 11th. I guess
it was just wishful thinking. As always please feel free to distribute
any way you see fit.

Blessings and Peace,
CH (CPT) Mitchell W. Nethery

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we
fall.”

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Dear Friends and Family,

Divine and beneficial blessings to you by the loving hand of God our Father, who by the austere power of the Holy Spirit has raised to life his Faithful and True Witness, indeed Jesus Christ, from the grave!

Happy Easter Week to you! I acknowledge that I am a little behind with my newsletter detailing my chaplain work unto Soldiers here in East Afghanistan; however, I assure you that I want to give full attention to this endeavor soon. There are many anecdotes and facts that I would like to inform you! Indeed, I have enjoyed great health of mind and body; furthermore, I am filled with constant strength to work among the men and women who are called upon to toil and combat the evil oppression that pervades the nations. I enjoy maneuvering on the forefront of the battlefield with my fellow Engineer Soldiers whenever they go out on missions. I have had very sober discussions with fellow Soldiers while “outside the wire.” And now, for continued strength for service, I ask for pray as the Chaplain of the 203d Engineer Battalion, Soldiers stationed throughout Eastern Afghanistan.

Particularly, pray for effective preaching this week concerning the glorious Easter Message. Last night, I led the Maundy Thursday Service and thought it went very well. Tonight I am leading the Good Friday Service at 1900 hrs; and of course, Sunday is the great Resurrection proclamation. I want to be clear and bold to Soldiers and civilians who abide with stress of separation from family and friends at home; furthermore, I am mindful of the many Soldiers whom I counsel who bear signs of depression, anger, and dissatisfaction due to the arduous work that we perform on a daily basis.

Will you pray that Jesus’ resurrection will bring comfort and relief to our Soldiers? Many people ask what they can do for me, and so I say PRAY! This weekend, please pray that God will change the spiritual climate where these Soldiers live and work, and pray also for the war to cease. I frequently cite the glorious phrase in the Lord’s Prayer: “…thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…” You agree that there are no wars in heaven, there is no anguish over separation of family in heaven, and there is no sadness in heaven. I so love reciting the Lord’s Prayer for the simple reason that it blesses Soldiers who toil as peacemakers in order to bring about peace on earth. Even if we can have but a portion of heavenly peace, let us so cherish its favor now!

I admire your support that I am enabled to perform this mission to Soldier whom I serve. Thanks for your prayers and look for my letter soon! HE is risen indeed.

Best wishes,
Bryan CH (CPT) Bryan Walker
Chaplain 203d Engineer Battalion
FOB Sharana, E. Paktika, Afghanistan

Pro Deo et Patria/For God and Country

“I just wanted you to know that we will never forget Eric’s sacrifice, nor yours. Thank you for everything you continue to do for all the troops. You really are quiet an amazing woman, one definitely worth looking up too! God Bless you Bobbie & your wonderful husband!!! May Eric ALWAYS REST IN PEACE!!!”

I just wanted to let you know that were thinking about you and your family today. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for the troops.
I also wanted to share a poem with you.. I used this at both my Mother and Fathers funeral.

I’m free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me,
I took his hand when I heard his call.
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found the peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joys-
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Oh yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief
Lift up your heart, and share with me
God wanted me now, he set me free.

” And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much”