They Would Be Grateful For New Home

by Dennis McCarthy - August 17th, 2006 - Los Angeles Daily News

The two recent e-mails from Iraq taped to Carolyn Blashek's home computer tell the story.

"I live with 17 Marines and sailors in one room," a young Marine writes. "Everyone got one of your care packages and everyone loved it, especially the cookies and Beanie Babies.

"The cookies are excellent and the Beanie Babies help us out a lot with the local kids. We give them candy and toys, and they give us the location of IEDs (improvised explosive devices) in the area."

The other e-mail, written by a medic, said Blashek's care packages have helped the troops in some unexpected ways.

"After our patients took the items they wanted, a soldier asked if he could take everything that was left," the medic wrote.

"Two weeks later, he returned and told us he had taken the boxes out on one of his patrols and given them to a couple of local families.

"These familes, in turn, gave out the names and locations of insurgents in the area. Your boxes saved the lives of many soldiers who patrol the streets where these insurgents set up bombs.

"Thank you for all you've done for us. You never know how completely you can affect someone's life."

Whenever Blashek got frustrated and down this past week, thinking that maybe no one cares, she remembered the e-mails and kept on going.

"I'll use every penny we have and take out another loan on my house to keep going," she said Thursday. "What we're doing for our troops is too important to stop now."

Thanks to Lucianne.com for this posting. It is timely for all patriots who care about our troops. Please read. Especially the following quote, "If you can help Blashek's group, which works so hard to build the morale of troops overseas, call her at (818) 406-5057 or e-mail eblashek@aol.com. For information on the group, see www.operationgratitude.com.

I gave. I hope you do to.

And thanks.