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April 2008 Hello to all, from Baghdad. This is my first update sense taking over for LT. COL. Salerno, and I can tell you, it’s a lot of work. LT. COL. Salerno did a great job setting up the network here for all the modelers to get models, and supplies to pursue this great hobby. I must apologize for not being able to devote the time to this that I feel I should have. When I was selected by COL. Salerno, I was working day shift inside the wire, with plenty of free time to devote to the club, well,,,,, as you know, I work for the U.S. ARMY, and things WILL change, and they did. I now travel out of the wire almost every night, driving throughout bagdad, so the hobby club gets my attention before, and after missions. I have had so much fun being a part of this project to keep the modelers here going, and trust me, the great big smiles are worth the effort. As for the soldiers here, the model club is a huge hit, from PVT.’s , to COL.’s. the modeling expertise here spans the spectrum, along with interest. We have ARMY, MARINES, NAVY, and AIR FORCE personnel building models, its great to see them show up every week. For the outlying FOB’s ( forward operating base) they cant believe it when they get a shipment of models, and supplies, HERE in IRAQ. The emails I get from them are fabulous.
To all the model clubs, and individual donors, I can’t say enough how this has touched us here, to see all the absolutely fine model kits come in every week. I know how it must be to part with models from your personal collection, so it means even more to me when I see these kits come in, true support coming from the heart. The list is enormous, over 25 model clubs ( from FLORIDA, NEW YORK, GEORGA, NEW JERSEY, WAHSINGTON, TEXAS, TOO MANY TO LIST) many of them sending 4 to 10 boxes full of models, and supplies .There have been lots of individuals that have sent many, many boxes of kits, and supplies, for their own personal donation. Also the modeling companies have sent lots of stuff, squadron, bare metal foil, and a couple of hobby shops. WOW, the list goes on, again we here can’t say enough about the overwhelming support all of you have given us over here. Building models here in a combat zone, sure seemed to be the trick to take our minds off being here, and away from our families. It was a great stress reliever to look forward to building a model every day after missions outside the wire.
The end of APRIL, is coming, and I will be redeploying back home to my family, so now its time I hand the reins over to MSG ALLEN, he will be here for 14 more months, and he is an excellent long time modeler, that hails from TEXAS. The clock is ticking for me, I am looking at 2 weeks before I pack up all my stuff for the return trip home. So, for future donations, please send them to MSG Brian Allen; you can find his contact info on the Iraq Model Network page.
For now, again THANK YOU again SO MUCH for the support you have given us here in Baghdad, it has touched us all.
R/T
SSG Steven DeMott. |
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June 2008 |
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