13 Aug 2006:
We continue to push forward in the missions. After every successful mission our sprits are lifted knowing that we are doing our part to help the cause.
The Heat is unbelievable, I lived in New Orleans and I know what hot is, or at least I thought I did. There really is a difference between 110 degrees and 120 degrees. You can't even look down at the ground, because it is so hot, you have to keep your head up and fight it. A lot of our guys are working on the flight line and the temps reach 130-140 degrees regularly. We drink plenty of water, so if anyone could send some Crystal lite singles they are great to put in the water. We had a group of ladies send some handmade pillows and everyone loved them, so if anyone can send some more we would love to have them. I had mentioned Air Fresheners before and they would be truly appreciated. The water to clean the uniforms has a orange tint and the uniforms don't smell the greatest after a couple of sweaty hours of wear. We could use some Batteries, any size will do (AAA and AA are the most requested) and personal hygiene articles.
Thanks to everyone who has sent magazines and DVD's and CD's, the magazines and movies get passed around often, we even made a shelf out of 2 x 4's and store the stuff on for everyone to enjoy. Keep up the good work on your end and we will continue to do our job here and we will see everyone at home real soon.
Sincerely,
PS1(AW) Roger Etherington
23 Jul 2006
Group picture of the squadron
Just a quick update from the World Famous Star Warriors. Everything is going great considering the weather (Heat). Our mission is going great, we continue to keep our planes in the air assisting the troops on the ground. We would like to thank everyone who has written and sent packages, everyone is so kind and thoughtful. We have really enjoyed the neckties and pillows, snacks, and personal items that were sent. We really enjoy reading the papers and magazines and watching the DVDs, we can really use some air fresheners, the air is stale and dirty and it really smells some days. Mostly we really enjoy learning about the great people who show an interest in the Military. And for that we Salute you!
Thank you for everything. Keep the faith we will be home soon!
V/r
PS1(AW) Roger Etherington
04 Jul 2006
First of all we would like to thank everyone who has sent things our way. It is very exciting when a package comes in because everyone acts like it is Christmas, without the cold and snow (we have 120 degree heat and sand). They keep telling us to wait until the Summer months kick in. (We can't wait.)
We have received a good number of magazines and candy and snacks. Thank you for the gel packs. The guys and gals who spend all day outside live by those things. We also have really appreciated the coffee and personal products, it seems like when you get to shower you just never feel clean. We have enough coffee to last the rest of the deployment and the coffee drinkers have slowed down since the temperatures have risen. We wanted to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July and to thank everyone back home for the continued support. We wish we were home with you all, but we still have some unfinished business here. Remember all the Soldiers and Sailors who live everyday to the fullest and support the United States of America. Here is a picture of some of the squadron personnel. We look forward to communicating with all the supporters that would like to contact us. Stay safe and God Bless. We would also like to send a Happy birthday out to Cameron who is the son of one of our Senior Chief's, he is going to be 5 years old. Happy birthday Cameron, your dad loves you and misses you. Attached is a picture for Cameron.
V/r
PS1(AW) Roger Etherington
12 Jun 2006
ADDRESS HAS CHANGED
We just wanted to thank you for all the support. I can see how AnySoldier.com would help boost morale of any military member, some days things just don't go your way and there is nothing that you can say to make them better.. Then the squadron receives a letter or package and everyone can't wait to read it. It sparks that little bit of light and fire that we need to get us back in the right mind set. We have received letters and packages for all over the United States and it has really touched us that people that we don't even know are out there thinking and praying for us. Thank you again.
The old address is still good until the 1st week of July. So anyone who has sent things they still should arrive. Mail is very slow it's taking about 3 weeks for letters and packages.
We are trying to get some group photo's to add to the site along with how everyone is doing. This is a great thing you have going here. The squadron is looking to provide to the troops when we rotate back to the states. I think this is something very worth while!
V/r
On behalf of the Men and Women of VAQ-209
PS1(AW) Roger Etherington
VAQ-209
Admin LPO/MWR President
23 May 2006
Hello, my name is PS1(AW) Roger Etherington and I'm the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation President of the World Famous Star Warriors of VAQ-209, we are based out of Naval Air Facility, Andrews Air Force Base, Washington DC.
Our squadron is made up of a diverse group of active duty and reserve personnel. We are currently deploying personnel to a Air Base outside of Baghdad, Iraq. Many of us are already here waiting to greet our incoming sailors. The comforts that the states have is not here, there is nothing here. We started out living in tents and now were are having metal cans/sheds set up for our sailors to live in. They have electric outlets but they are 220v. We have messing available and are not allowed to cook in the cans. We don't have microwaves either. We do have laundry service provided, so we don't need any laundry items.
As a unit we would like to request the folllowing items:
- Coffee (we are at the mercy of the chow hall)
- Sugar and Creamer
- Coffee filters and cups
- Any type of DVD's (they help pass the time)
- Beef jerky
- Pretzel's or Combo's
- Any type of Potato Chips
- Cookies (ie: oreo, chips ahoy)
- Flash drives or memory sticks
- Any Foot care items
- Gatorade Drink mix
- Music CD's (variety)
- Sun screen
- Insect repellent
- Baby wipes
- Anti-bacterial hand gel
- magazines and books (current newspapers)
- Batteries (AAA, AA, C, and D)
- Mini Flashlights
- Chap stick
- Kleenex (individual packaged or boxed)
- Personal DVD or CD players (younger sailors)
- 220v converters to 110v and adaptors
We would appreciate any and all support we receive. I would like to thank this website and all the Americans back home for supporting the troops.