We welcome GMC Mark Ervin back!!
His old page is HERE.
Note: GMC Mark A. Ervin was dropped from this list on 19 Oct 2010 due to 60 days of no contact.
25 Aug 2010:
Hi everyone. We are so sorry we haven't been able to send you a message on how we have been doing. We have been extremely busy. We have had many letters, cards and boxes coming in and the troops and everybody are very grateful for your generosity. A BIG THANKS to Western Refining in AZ for the 25+ boxes of goodies you sent. They went fast and there were a lot of smiles :) To answer a question from one of the letters we received. They wanted to know if we were on a ship or landside. We are landside security protecting High Value Assets and we work very long hours. A typical day is 15 hours, and in these intense weather conditions, it can definitely take a toll on a person. Again, thank you all very much and hopefully soon, we'll be able to get on here more frequently.
05 Jul 2010
We just wanted to give you an update since it has been a few weeks. This mobilization is really going pretty fast. We can't believe it is July already. Work has been pretty steady, which helps the time move a little better. We wish we could go more into detail about what exactly it is we are doing, but due to operation security, we are unable to. The packages keep coming in, which is always a very nice surprise for the troops, and we are all very grateful for all of you taking the time out to help us along.
The heat continues to rise as August is the hottest of all months. Propel and gatorade single packs are really needed in order to help us replace the electrolytes that are lost daily. It is really unreal at how much a person can sweat in a day and pretty gross as you can probably figure out. We hope
everyone at home had a wonderful 4th of July. The holidays are the hardest to be away from our families, but all seem to be in good spirits. Thank you again for all you are doing for us.
22 Jun 2010
Thank you for all the packages we are getting. The troops are really enjoying them. We appreciate all you are sending. We really need gatorade/propel single serving packages to add to our water. With the temperatures this high, on avg 120 degrees with the humidity anywhere from 50-80%, the guys/gals are losing a lot of electrolytes and we need to replenish them the best way we can. These single serving packets are the best. Here are a few pictures of our way to thank the wonderful people taking their time out to help us. Thank you's go out to Katie M. from Hudson, OH, Cindy M. and her team in Brookville, OH and Hannah K. in Evansville, IN.
Mark and Dawn
(resent 22 June update from 30 May that didn't make it)
Thank you Margie from Minneapolis, MN for the card and kind words. Our team is slowly getting adjusted to the heat. The humidity we could definitely do without! It makes for some long days and the smell isn't so pleasant either. The temps are on average 115-120 F and continues to rise. The humidity is anywhere from 50-80%. At night, the buildings get so much
condensation on them, it sounds like it is raining. It is the craziest thing we have ever seen. The troops really enjoy the notes from the States, keep them coming. Here is another photo of one of the troops hard at work.
Mark and Dawn
18 Jun 2010
A big thanks to Ron and Shirley from WA for the goody box. The troops enjoyed it very much. Attached is the photo of one of our Gunners Mate holding the box they sent. She works in the Armory, maintaining and issuing weapons. Thank you a bunch, we really appreciate it.
Mark and Dawn
15 Jun 2010
We just wanted to give you an update on things. We have been very busy and again, the heat continues to rise. The packages coming in are a real treat to the sailors and puts a big smile on their faces :), which in turn, puts a smile on ours. Carole from Holiday, FL a GREAT BIG THANKS from the ladies for the supplies you sent. Thanks to Zachery from Roscommon, MI for the nice letter. Sounds like you are definitely on your way to being successful in life. Follow your dreams. We also received two packages with tons of soaps, shampoo, deodorants, and some pretty pictures from some youngsters.
We thank you for those items.
Here are a few pictures of the sailors enjoying your packages. Thank you again for all of your support.
Sincerely,
Mark and Dawn
26 May 2010
Hello,
We wanted to send a warm thanks to Dave and Mary from Texas for the beautiful postcard they sent. We definitely don't see rolling hills like that around here.
The weather is really getting hot and the humidity is horrible, but we are surviving. Here are a few pictures of the troops.
Thank you.
Mark and Dawn
19 May 2010
After a few days and more thought, the guys and gals put together a list with more items:
Beef Jerkey
Mixed Nuts
Granola Bars
Breakfast Bars
Any type of Chocolate (Snickers, Baby Ruth, Reeses, etc)
Duct Tape
Baby Wipes
Sunflower Seeds
Gatorade & Crystal Light drink mixes
GoLean Kashi Bars
Peanut Butter
Sugar Free Gum & Mints
Dried Fruit
Oreo’s
Oatmeal
Thanks so much for the support already as we have only been here a couple of weeks.
This is picture of our Guard Mount before we take the watch.
You guys ROCK!
GMC Mark Ervin
19 May 2010
From his alternate:
Hello,
We are slowly getting into the swing of things here and the temperature is
rising, so I think it is going to be a long, hot deployment. Some items
requested by the women on the team are:
-playtex tampons (regular and heavy)
-dove 24 clinical protection deodorant/antiperspirant
-feminine hygiene products (ex: summers eve)
-lady speed stick (24 hour protection)
Thank you so very much. We will be posting pictures soon.
Respectfully,
BMC Dawn M. Fromme
14 May 2010
We are a group of mobilized Reservists performing a security mission in the Middle East. We just arrived here in country a few weeks ago and are trying to get used to the heat and the time change. We have a mixture of new Sailors and salty dogs (multiple deployments) with us. We are very excited about the challenges the lie ahead.
Some of the items that the guys/gals are requesting are:
Animal crackers
Teddy Grahms
Twizzlers
Skittles
Trail Mix
Girl Scout Cookies
Tuna Packs
Pringles chips
Sweet Tarts
Protein Bars
Coffee
Creamer
Splenda
Foot Powder
Baby Powder
Laundry Detergent (liquid)
Dryer Sheets
Febreeze
Stick-ups
Lip Balm
Sun Screen
American magazines
Any news from home