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Idaho Transportation
Department

Office of Communications
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563

 


Despite economic hard times, remember the troops

During times like these it’s easy to keep our thoughts just on our problems at home. But we need to remember that there are still deployed troops overseas who are making sacrifices everyday on our behalf.

My fiance recently received the below letter from a friend (U.S. Paratrooper) in Alaska. It touched our hearts and we are trying to spread the word to as many people as possible to see if they can send a care package to these remarkable dedicated soldiers.

Every little bit helps. Whether it’s jerky, crossword puzzles, a kind letter of appreciation, or protein bars…these soldiers are appreciative of just knowing there are citizen’s back home thinking about their welfare. If you can’t send a whole box yourself, we’d be happy to accept donations and mail them to the troops for you.

Please consider supporting these U.S. Paratroopers in Afghanistan. We often hear that the troops and America are in this war together, and while we may not be there with them physically, we're with them in heart, mind and soul during their deployment.

A few Web sites with ideas and information on how to and what to send to troops:

http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops
http://www.give2thetroops.org/items.htm
Thanks,
Erika Stoddard
HQ Bridge Department 


Forwarded letter
Hello. I'm sending this email in hopes that you will join me in supporting a few close friends and the U.S. Paratroopers they lead.

Over the past several few weeks, flights have been departing Alaska headed to Afghanistan totaling over 3,500 Paratroopers from 4th Brigade (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division  http://www.usarak.army.mil/4bde25th on a scheduled 12- 15-month tour of duty.  Each of the departing flights have close friends as well as many former soldiers of mine answering our nation’s call.  It has not been easy for me saying goodbye, especially this go-around sitting on the sidelines.  Past goodbyes have always included ... “see you in a week when I catch up with you.”

Last week it was my good friend and Arkansas native Sergeant First Class David Agans.  I cannot possibly sum up our friendship in any simple terms; he is a remarkable person and dynamic leader that has saved my rear-end (literally) on more than one occasion.  David leaves behind his wife Stacie and three wonderful children.  This will be David's 3rd combat tour; during his previous tours he survived two complete vehicle destructions from IED strikes, small arm engagements, and multiple mortar and rocket attacks.  We shared many scary times together.

Saturday morning I said farewell to another very close buddy from Michigan, First Sergeant Tim Andrews.  I've known Tim for many years and have been around the world with him over the last 10 years.  Tim leaves behind his wife Dawn and two young children; this is Tim's 3rd combat tour as well.  He has survived a complete vehicle destruction from an IED strike as well as multiple mortar and rocket attacks; the two of us have had our share of excitement as well.

Both David and Tim lead a combined group of close to 200 Paratroopers from all across the states.  They have a very difficult mission and year in front of them.

I am sharing their mailing addresses with you in hopes that you will share them with your friends, colleagues, and families.  A postcard, letter, old magazine, or even a care package sent to either of them will be shared amongst all the men they lead.

As always, thank you for your untiring support.

Kirk Alkire
SFC David B. Agans
B Battery, 2-377 PFAR, 4th ABCT
TF SPARTA
FOB Cobra
APO, AE 09355
 
1SG Tim Andrews
G Battery, 2-377 PFAR, 4th ABCT
TF SPARTA
FOB Salerno
APO, AE 09314

Published 3-6-9