23 Apr 2006:
I will be changing locations very soon and will “NO LONGER BE EXCEPTING MAIL AT THIS ADDRESS”.

It’s not clear if my crew will remain together, or break up as our assignments change. It is clear that our work here at the Base in Kuwait is over for my crew, we have been relieved. I can’t thank my fellow Americans enough for taking care of my crew. World conflicts will always need to be handled. It is always stressful doing this type of work, but your letters and packages mean so very much to your forces serving here. It has been so great to hear from so many of you. You have spent your time your money to take care of my crews morale, clothing needs, snack habits it’s been great, Thank You.

Until I’m at another permanent mailing address this is just one of your dedicated Navy Sailors putting it all on the line all day everyday for our Freedom.

“My Squad and I promise no harm will come to you or your love ones past our post during our watch”

MMC (SW) Liberty

Out

03 Apr 2006
We have had some great letters and packages from you arrive since our last update.

I’m drinking coffee as I write this, we have San Francisco Bay French roast, Papa Nicholas French Roast, Seattle’s Best French Roast, and Lofbergs Lila Swedish blend 100% Arabica beans we are making it from, life can be very nice. Just the aroma is heavenly. We have become a favorite stopping place in the morning for members of the other units working here. It’s great to answer their question, Where did you get this? With from My fellow Americans supporting my crew.

I didn’t ask but the smarter coffee drinkers knew to send along sugar packs, creamer packs, and flavored creamer. Yes we do have one member of my crew “Coop” a real Coffee Coinsurer that wines if you add anything to your coffee that your wasting it. Coop’s coffee not only wakes you up, it will keep you up all day! To the group that sent the stainless steel thermos “You’re the Best” it’s great for the road trips.

We have had quite a few of our members get the chance to stay as our assignments change and personnel move around. We are still working long days so we are behind on getting a thank you out to everyone. You all have taken time out of your day to write to us, and send us packages, so we are still working to get a message back to you. It look’s like we will have access to computer time, so we might do a form letter, though we prefer to write a note. Easter is coming so jelly beans, coconut candy and eggs, are on the mind. We are going thru the toothpaste, and brushes as quickly as they come in. We have all learned three bladed razors make for more comfort when you are shaving a lot, in a hot environment. Everyone is a fan of the flavored drink packet’s for the water, and we do go thru a lot of water here. The powders, (foot, baby etc) are becoming very important as the seasonal temperature climbs. Extra boot socks, sports socks are always big hits with the troops since we are in boots every day, all day. Suntan lotion I mean sun block is getting very important again with the changing of the season. Phone cards are always good. Most of the bases have phone banks for the troops to call home on. Some bases have more access than others, when troops pass thru a base traveling to another assignment cards get used up quick as we try to get everyone in touch with love ones home. The VFW and ATT have had great calling card programs used here. Remember especially if your sending something from young kids, if it’s important to them, send it.

I can’t thank you enough for taking your time, your money, to support my troops.

We know its an effort and that makes it mean a lot to us. We will be here for as long as it takes to keep you safe and free.

I’m very proud serving here with Americas Finest, being support by you.

God Bless You, and may God Bless America

MMC (SW) Liberty, Robin

17 Mar 2006
The response from our fellow Americans has been great.
It really means a lot especial as the mission becomes longer; it’s easy to become stressed as the days from love ones add up.
We have as a group had a few injuries, and that always adds some stress.
We are trying to get a thank you out to everyone, but as work loads change some days we are better at it then others.
The packages of coffee, candy are great.
The Senior Officer isn't always thrilled with all the sugar being eaten, but the crew does go through it.
We share the packages with all the service personnel in our camp, as well as others we meet on the road.
The children’s letters we try to get to first.
We all think it’s hard for them to understand, or sort out what the news is always saying.
They usually don’t understand that “Bad News Sells”, and “Good News is Boring”.
We received a Football and Frisbee. They make for a great quick break when at Base Camp.
Any members of Fire Companies, we have several members from Fire Companies here that would like to hear from you.
I’m also a member, and it is still a soft spot for them and the Police Officers here thinking how this finial reached a flash point. They wear their Tee shirts in their off time with great pride. Since we have been here through both 11 September, and 26 February they are very proud to show their support with those shirts.
Our mission is changing, and we have had several members returned to the states for medical attention.
The crew and I want you to know how much your letters and packages have meant to us.
We know it cost time and money, but there is more to making a world save for tomorrow than fighting. Your support plays a much bigger role than the package or card receives.
It helps sustain your fighting member’s faith and belief in what is right, and in their Countrymen when the mail brings your support.

Thank you, Thank you
Proud to serve my country’s call
MMC (SW) Liberty, Robin

20 Feb 2006
Your program has been great to my troops.

We are seeing replacements rolling in, so we have been able to demobilize, or send home those members with Non-combat related injuries, and the members who’s homes were damaged or destroyed by Katrina last fall.

Our weather is improving due to time of the year. Easter is coming up so jelly beans are on every ones mind. We have met through your program some wonderful people. If we haven’t gotten a reply, thank you to you yet we are working on it. We try to write back a personnel note to each.

The troops will be starting to look at saving their information, off the computers they have used during the patrols. So thumb drives, or flash drives I think they call them are in big demand.

We have a coffee grinder so any coffee lovers, the troops love French Roast Arabica beans. The coffee is great fresh made that way, I love to just smell the crew grinding the beans, and then the smell and taste are tastes of home in the sand.

Notes from the kid’s groups are great, the crew likes to write back that education and freedom is so important. We see the difference it makes every time we are drive through a town.

I know most of the everyday people supporting my troops are making a big sacrifice, it’s not cheap. I can’t tell you how it makes the troops to feel to hear from you and receive packages from every day people. I can’t tell you how proud I am to have America’s Young Serving with me, they are awesome!

I’m very glad we are here, as every trip it’s obvious this is the right thing for America to do.

MMC (SW) Liberty

01 Jan 2006
Hello from Kuwait!

Today is the first day of 2006, my personnel and I still work each day, and as many of you realize all day.

We received from many of you some of the comforts of home for our holiday. We received cookies, cakes, and a lot of candy a lot of candy.

I know the dentist will be happy to see us when we return. We are brushing with the toothbrushes you have sent us, but we also use them to clean the weapons, as well as the q-tips you sent. The letters, cards, and kids drawings we do post and read. We where able to share the things you have sent to us with other service personnel, so you have helped use give as well as receive, Thank You.

The temperature has dropped as it is the winter months that means large temperature swings from midday until midnight. The leather gloves, and boot socks you have sent help enormously as they need to be changed, or rotated often for our working conditions. Extra Large allows the troops to wear their wool, gloves inside the leather so they are warn, and protected.

Favorite treat for the convey crew is still beef jerky, slim jims you name it type of beef in strip’s in plastic. We are good on the bath products, and I know some are hard to ship since liquid is heavy and leaks if not secured right when shipped. Our female sailors are not to wear make up that is noticeable. You ladies can imagine how it feel’s to go months in the desert without makeup. So the facial soap’s and facial make up, along with conditioner for their hair usually disappears immediately when your packages are received.

I wouldn’t send anything that needs to be microwaved, the camp generator systems run at 220 / 50 hertz. What that means is the micro waves do not cook well at all. The microwave popcorn usually just burns.

If you want to send more candy I would recommend Licorice like good and plenty, or jelly beans, of course black ones are best, bars with peanuts, and of course Reese peanut butter cup’s is a huge hit.

We greatly appreciate your support, your letters and packages mean a lot to our countries service personnel. We will be here for quite a while yet doing our turn at defending what we believe in, you are an important part of helping, especially the young that they are thought of and supported, Thank You and God Bless You, and the United States.

MMC (SW) Liberty, Robin

12 Nov 2005
For the Females, CD's music, DVD movies, shampoo, conditioner, curling irons, blow dryer's, hair brushes, perfume, nail polish, facial products, softner for the clothes dryer.
For the Males, CD's music, DVD movies, nail clippers, Q-tips, addidas sandles,
For the whole group Candy (seasonal), candy bars, cup cakes, store cookies, Christmas decorations, Candles for a christmas service, Peanuts, cashues, Beef Jerky, coffee beans (we have a small grinder for fresh coffee)coffee maker. Carnation Hot Choclate, disposable camera's, large and extra large leather work gloves, NFL Hard hat, pro team shirt's, Large (9-13) boot sock's (Tan, Black, Green, White,
Personnel letter, or card.
Pictures, from kid's class to post outside the mail room, galley the troops see, read while waiting for chow.

Living conditions: The troops are in open bay barrack's (no real privacy)sleeping in bunk bed's.
Power supply is 220 volts, 50 hertz from generator's. Step down transformers are used to get 110 volts 60 hertz. It would be great to get Transformers but they are expensive, and heavy to ship.
The galley food is healthy, but I don't think anyone is writing home about how great it is. They do a good job for all they feed, stationed here and passing thru.
There is a small store near the base, but most snack's or can soda is old by the time it makes it's way thru the system to here. there are a few micro wave's around, and coffee pot's.
We do have a laundry trailer with wash machines and dryers.
The group is a composite of trained personnel from reserve and active duty. We have members from many states; Ca, Or, Wa, Ut, Ne, Te, La, Ms, Fa, Ge, Pa, Md, De, Nj, Ny, Ct, Ri, Me, Ne, Va, Sc I'm sure I probably forgot at least one. We have several members still non-US citizens, that will be when we return. We have mom's, dad's, grand parents, single parents, single members. We are a cross section of American citizens serving here in a forgien land to keep our home safe, Navy's Finest