Hello, my name is SPC xxxx I am an Army sniper stationed in xxxx. I graduated from the army sniper school, xxxxx, in xxxx. My unit is currently deployed to Iraq and we have been here since early march. I read your article in the stars and stripes and I would just like to say thank you for your generosity towards the sniper community. it is nice to see that people haven’t forgotten about us. In my unit there are only xxxx qualified snipers, xxxx of us make up the sniper section. Since there are so few of us we usually get the shaft when it comes to equipment and support.

For instance before we left xxxx we tried extremely hard to get our xxxx sent to xxxx to get rebarreled. we where told that I would cost the unit to much money to have them sent to the states to be rebarreled. We then went and found an affiliate in xxxx to try to do it, but once again, my unit decided that our rifles weren’t a top priority. This is just one incident among many. The xxxx of us love our jobs but we find our selves in compromising situations on missions because of the lack of working equipment. I would like to ask for your help in getting us some of the equipment we need.

What we have found that we needed the most is communication equipment so that we can talk to each other when we are on separate op's. We have tried those Motorola Talk Abouts but they make to much noise. If you could help us with this it would be greatly appreciated. If you cant, we understand and ask that you send us anything you can spare because we don’t have much.

Thanks so much for your time.

SPC. xxxx

Gentlemen,

Just read an article about your efforts to support the boys deployed overseas. It's things like your kind of support that reaffirms what it is that we do on a daily basis. Since we're in the process of gearing up to head over ourselves here in a few short months, I understand and appreciate the need for gear that isn't always readily available in the system. My boss is all about getting us the gear we are going to need, and that's a blessing.

Keep up the good work, and know that it is definitely appreciated.
Semper Fi.

Captain
Marines

I would like to take the time to thank you guys for all your support, the boys over here have put in a tremendous amount of work and appreciate everything that you do for us. I believe alot of critical lessons have been learned on the part of mission essential equipment. The equipment received from you has made everyday operations that much better once again Thank you,

SSG C H
Sniper Section Leader
Army

Hey Rick, how are you? Thanks for the packages. They have been awesome. The whole platoon told me to say "thank you" to you and your team. Both packages got here with no problems. The medecinal supplies have been a really big hit.

We've been really busy the last couple of weeks. Our platoon has teams going out supporting different units every day. Right now we're supporting EOD, xxxx, two grunt platoons, and a xxxx element. All of my free time the last two weeks has been taken up working on getting our platoon up in helos to shoot out of. That will be a fun employment option.

I took one of the team patches you sent me and put it on my helmet. I wear it every time I go out. We've been taking pictures with the cameras you sent. My team has one and I gave one of them to the other teams. As soon as they're used up, I'll mail them back.

Again, thanks for the support. You guys have no idea what a help you're being to us. Stay safe.

xxxx

6/14/2004

You guys are the HEAT!!! Thank you, and my Marines thank you. Fellow Americans like you keep us on the path. It means more than you can imagine.

Silent Souls and Semper Fidelis,

SSgt xxxx and the rest of XX/XX Scout Snipers