09/13/04

Mr. Deneys,

My name is Spc. xxxx I am with xxxx company of the xxxx out of xxxx, we are currently at xxxx, and we could use your groups help. About 2 wks, ago we received xxxx, xxxx rifles for our company, each of our xxxx line platoons received xxxx rifle. the problem is that the rifles that have been issued to us are FAR from new, they have been depot rebuilt in xxxx, we still have on with the xxxxand the other xxxx are on xxxx, the weapons themselves with the exception of the stocks seem to be in at least half way decent working order. the optics, that were issued are xxxx, and seem to work quite well with the weapon.

The problem lies with the fact that our unit does not know what we need equipment wise and are either unable to fulfill our requests. we need new xxxx, xxxx, xxxx, xxxx, xxxx, xxxx, xxxx, and anything else that you might be able to provide for us or think that we might need.

We would really appreciate it. Our unit deploys to xxxx, then xxxx. Ghis equipment was dropped on us at the last possible minute, i was able to link up with a trainer and get some excellent training for us for one day but that is far from enough. Any help that you might be able to send us weather it be gear, or even some sort of civilian weaponsmithing guide to the xxxx, it would be extremely appreciated.

Thanks for your time, the contributions you have made to quite a few of my buddies already over in the sandbox, you don't know how much it means to us.

Spc. xxxx
" Alpha Company"

Here is a list of items our platoon would like if possible; I've tried to put them in order of priority, but as I have not yet been there, it is hard to determine what we'll need the most.

• xxxx
• xxxx
• xxxx
• xxxx
• xxxx
• xxxx
• xxxx
• xxxx
• xxxx
• xxxx
• xxxx
• xxxx
• xxxx
• xxxx
  

I know the list is long but I figured better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all. I only put the quantities in parenthesis to give you an idea of how many guys in the platoon need that item; any number of the above items would be a great help.

xxxx
USMC

One of my Lance corporals had a moment of clarity:

"Hey Gunny, I'm 21. my friends have no idea what we really do here. We put on xxxx pounds of protective vests and helmets. Carry xxxx and all this high speed shit. We have an xxxx and a xxxx in our xxxx....... We drive on the most dangerous streets in the world to our mission destination...then drive back on the same roads.

Gunny, who the fuck does that for work. We get shot at and could get blown up, but we go out and do it cuz its or job......shit, i'm glad we're good at it."

xxxx years old and he wasn't bitching, he just wonders if people understand what we do. He said the whole thing with a smile on his face. He's my driver on our missions. He said this a day after a possible VBIED tried to ram our truck and 3 days after we
engaged an IED. His second mission we got lit up....... he's been on xxxx in xxxx weeks.

Then your packages arrived. It brings our mission into perspective. My Marines know that someone at home understands and REALLY cares. And they are enjoying the candy, REAL toilet paper and finally, real cleaning gear for their weapons........America's best kids work for ME. There are no words that can express
my gratitude to the Adoptasniper Program. I have received your care packages. My Marines cannot believe the support I have gotten from you. They are beginning to understand what a close community we snipers share- which says alot coming from a group as close as Marines in a combat zone. I will get a longer email to you soon. Just we're rather busy.

Please send my sincerest gratitude, thanks and admiration to the great Americans behind the program and our comrades in arms at SOL and ASA.

Out, from somewhere in Iraq.

9/16/04

Dear Mr. Sain,

I am SGT xxxx. I am currently enjoying life in the lovely and xxxx country of xxxx. I am a member of the xxxx.

When my unit was called up to serve xxxx I became one of xxxx"designated marksmen" in the platoon. We were all assigned xxxx's that have been slightly accurized to resemble an xxxx. Unfortunately, we didn't get our rifles until the day we had to report to the xxxx at xxxx. Which was only xxxx days prior to us getting on the plane to xxxx.

The rifles were accurized during the course. Some of us were fortunate to have been issued scopes. Most of us made do with what we bought, begged, borrowed or temporarily tactically acquisitioned. I managed to procure a scope from the fine and generous folks from xxxx.

That thing is awesome. We didn't recieve many tools of the trade because we were told "you'll get it issued to you when you get in-country". Apparently, they
neglected to tell us WHICH country because we still haven't gotten anything.

We have been doing sniper overwatch missions for members of xxxx and, after talking with them about our supply problem, they suggest that we try the Adopt a Sniper program. So, I'm turning to the Adopt A Sniper program for help. We're still trying through our official channels to get xxxx, xxxx, xxxx, xxxx, xxxx xxxx, xxxx and xxxx. Our supply sergeant is good, but he's not a miracle worker. We've got xxxxbut since the batteries have died we haven't been able to get replacement batteries for them. We also have a xxxx which we can use to .........

Any assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

SGT. xxxx
US ARMY

09/17/04

Hi i am Cpl. xxxx.

We are being deployed to xxxx an i have been searching high and low for gear before we leave. The only problem is that most items are rather expensive and require time to order and ship to xxxx. Our command is so overwhelmed by the news of us leaving on short notice that they have been occupied with training the line companies and preparing to leave that it seems they have neglected our needs for our specialized equipment. Even simple things with nsn's such as xxxxand xxxx to replace our broken ones are too much for our command to handle at this time.

Our platoon could really use some help. we heard about your program from snipers in xxxx who you helped while they were in xxxx.

Thank you for everything that you have done for our fellow troops, your help is really appreciated.
Cpl. xxxx USMC

My name is Gunnery Sergeant xxxx. I am currently the xxxx of xxxx xxxx Marine Corps, xxxx.

I have spent almost my entire career in, around, or fighting for the Scout/Sniper community within the Marine Corps. Sir after reading about your cause and the program you have put into place I must confess I am deeply and undeniably moved. It takes a lot for a man to look into a 10x scope at another man and pull that trigger knowing what the outcome will be...a very intimate moment. Having the wrong gear, shoddy equipment, etc., makes that task unbearably more daunting at times...you and your support staff are heroes for our community and I am ashamed that I did
not have the foresight to think of such a project.

I was actually made aware of your program from one of my young Sergeant instructors in my course who just returned from xxxx and said his platoon was supported by your program. I have to leave my young warriors as I have just been tasked to go to
xxxx to fight the terrorism problem in xxxx. My boys told me I should contact you in order to get myself setup with some gear for my " little vacation." I don't believe I need your help, although after I am out there for about xxxx months you may hear from me again. What I would like to say is 3 things...first, keep up this unselfish and fantastic program, our boys in the community have likened you to a saint and the sniper community is now forever in your debt.

Secondly, I would like to personally send you an invite to be a guest speaker out in
xxxx during our graduations for our basic course ... the young snipers are on their way to the combat zone and would love to hear words of authenticity to fire their morale. Third, when I return Sir I look forward to personally getting you out to xxxx and shooting with our instructors and laying back a few brews with our young warriors.

In closing let me say congratulations on a well thought out and much needed program...which is appreciated by all within the community with more than words can describe .... and secondly if you chose to take me up on my offer of guest speaking or drinking that beer, write me back and I will send you the contact info to get you out as a speaker and when I return I will give you my personal number to get in
touch for that beer!!!!

Semper Fidelis,
Gunny xxxx

P.S. If you don't hear a reply back from me as the now famous quote goes...
" I have gone to fight the Indians"