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Members of Operation: Write To Freedom (OWTF) have been assembling Pocket Flags for military personnel. Some of our members have received emails or letters from the recipients. We will be posting some of those responses on this page! If you have a pocket flag story to share, please email it to flagstories@operationwritetofreedom.org.
**If requested, we have removed last names, locations and names of specific units from all posted responses.

Tue Nov 25, 2003 8:13 pm
Subject: another military email
Here's a blurb from another email I got from someone deployed in Iraq. It's a good example to show the conditions they're living in!

On the up side we have moved into our new tent and we are only 126 yards from the bathroom!!!!!!!!!! that 224 was a bit much! At 0300 (that's 3am) it seems a lot longer let me tell ya.

Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:36 am
Subject: letter from Iraq

I just wanted to take time out to thank you for your gift. I got your flag on a trip to my current destination overseas (I can't say where I am), and I certainly wasn't expecting it, but now, I carry it with me wherever I go, as kind of a "good luck" item. It really feels good to know that we have some support from back home for that which we are fighting.

Once again, thank you, and God Bless you!

Senior Airman Christopher Johnson, 26

USAF, Services/Supply

Sun Sep 28, 2003 10:18 pm
Subject: a letter from Iraq
I got a nice long letter from a guy who received one of our flags:

Susan,
On behalf of the Air Force Fire Department at (undisclosed) Air Base, thank you very much for sending the flag and your thoughts and prayers. It does so much for the troops to hear from home and know that we are appreciated for the job we are doing here.

It took about a month or so for everyone to get used to being here. First of all, the extreme heat conditions. There were times that the temperature would constantly be up to 120 degrees or more. Thank God it's starting to cool down a little. Another thing to get used to was the living conditions.

At first, everyday living was kind of hard. We didn't have things like a dining facility, washing machines, good bathrooms and showers, a store to buy supplies...etc. Things are getting a lot better as the time goes by and the Base grows. The next people that will be taking our place should be living comfortable because of the work we have done here.

Besides trying to make this a better place to work we have done a lot of work fighting fires as well. It is so dry and hot here that wild land fires can start spontaneously or by accident from the smallest little spark from anything you can think of.

Besides fire we assist the medical squadron with their duties and much like at home we practice fire prevention. When I say practice fire prevention, I mean that we make sure that all facilities are fire safe and up to code. This insures the safety of everyone on the base in the case of fire incidents.

As far as how everyone feels about being here, we are happy to be
here serving our country. But we are definitely ready to come home to our families. Again, thank you for sending your message. Please write back if you have any questions, or would like to know more on how we are doing.

God Bless,

James

Wed Sep 17, 2003 10:00 am
Subject: a letter from Iraq

Susy,

Thanks for your e-mail. We should be here for 2 more months, hopefully leaving sometime in November.

As a matter of fact, a box arrived today. There was plenty of everything to go around. There is some extra that we are going to give to the Services squadron (from Pope), and the Chapel. Again, we thank you very, very much for all your support.

Matt

P.S. Everyone loved the little flags!!!

September 8, 2003

Susan,

I am Sra Remesch who is currently in Iraq, we just received your flags and I
wanted to personally thank you for your support. I am a firefighter for the
airforce and that is my main mission here. I am stationed at McConnell Afb
in Kansas.

I just wanted to let you know a little about me, so you know who
has your flag. I keep it in my pocket at all times, once again thank you
Sra Remesch

July 6, 2003

Dear Susan,

Thanks so much for your e-mail and also for your continued support. Our squadron has been deployed now for almost five months and the support from home has made it all possible. It really means a lot to us. Luckily, we are getting ready to deploy back home to Pope AFB in a few weeks. Our sister squadron is coming over here to replace us. They will also be here for 5
months. I'm sure they would enjoy anything that you want to send, it really does make a
difference.

We have quite a few toiletries stocked up, but food is always good, especially healthy food. All of that goes pretty quickly. Here are some of our favorite things to eat (if you want ideas): tuna packages, crackers, hickory farms sausage and cheese, granola bars, power bars, fruit cups, beef jerky, chips, and salsa. But really anything you send would be
much appreciated.

Again thank you for your support. Its always nice to know that people at
home haven't forgotten that we're still deployed.

Take Care,
Capt. K.C.

Date: Fri Jul 4, 2003 10:52 am
Subject: another flag response

Thanks for the flag. They flew all those flags over Bagdad during a mission. We were at Jaber Air base in Kuwait since March and now we are in Tallil Air base Iraq. I am a munitions troop with the 23rd fighter group out of Pope AFB. We are leaving some time next month. If you want I could try to send some pictures. Just wanted to say thanks for the flag.

Ssgt J. E.

Fri Jul 4, 2003 10:50 am
Subject: response from flags

Thanks so much for the pocket flag. Until now I've never heard of this outstanding project. I was in during the Gulf War and now Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is wonderful to know people back home are getting involved and have all of us in their hearts and minds. It also gives the younger kids a chance to learn and grow.

We've been in this region for 5 months. First in Kuwait and now Iraq. We should be coming home in late July. We will be replaced by others who will continue the fight for the freedom of the Iraqi people. Many people do not realize the freedoms we have as Americans.

I am stationed in North Carolina and work on aircraft in the Air Force. I am married and have a five year old son named Jacob. I miss them something fierce and can't wait to see them. I have attached a couple of photos. Hope you enjoy.

Thanks again for participating in The Pocket Flag Program.

K.M., TSgt, USAF

July 3, 2003

Dear Elisa,

My squadron recently received a box of pocket flags from you and your friends. I am in the 75th Fighter Squadron at Tallil Air Base in Iraq. The flags that you sent have all been flown in an A-10 Warthog. I decided to keep one of your flags that also had your drawing of an American Flag on the note inside. I keep it with me in my pocket, it reminds me of home. Thank
you for thinking of all of us over here. We really appreciate your support!

Sincerely,

Capt Kim Campbell
Attack Pilot, 75th Fighter Squadron
Tallil AB, Iraq

June 21, 2003

Dear Susan,

We received the box of flags a couple of days ago. Thanks... The Commander took all of them with him today when he flew a mission today over Iraq. I'll start handing them out to the troops tomorrow.

Thank you again for everything you and your organization does.

MSgt. Smith

Timothy,

Thanks for the Pocket flag and even more thanks for the prayers. We have many folks over here a long, long way from home and your gift places us closer to home than you can imagine. So, the weather is quite different than what I'm used to.

Again, thanks for the flag. We couldn't do what we're doing without the thoughts and prayers from everyone back in the good ole USA!!!

Arvin, USAF
**We have removed last names, locations and names of specific units from all posted responses.

The pocket flag I received today was signed by Doug. If this gets to the right people, please pass on my sincere thanks to Doug and the entire family. My name is Marc and I am a LieutenantColonel in the US Air Force. I am the commander of an Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. We are deployed (overseas) and have been here since 27 Nov 2002. Our job is to construct and maintain the tent city and the work areas for the personnel at the base. We are also responsible for all of the utilities. We make our own water and electricity here. The other functions my squadron is responsible for include fire protection and crash rescue, explosive ordnance disposal, and nuclear, chemical, and biological defense and disaster preparedness, construction project design and management, and service contract quality assurance and evaluation. We hope to return to our homes in the next couple of months. Thanks for you time and well wishes. Things like the pocket flag make it easier for me and my personnel to be away from home for so long.

Marc, Lt Col, USAF
**We have removed last names, locations and names of specific units from all posted responses.

Hello,
I received the pocket flag you sent today and would like to tell you that I appreciate it very much. It is always nice to know that the people back in the states have not forgotten about us over here. Receiving something like this really brightens my spirits. I am a very patriotic person and sometimes I get a little overwhelmed by all the protests we see on CNN. This just reminds me that not everyone is against us.

Thanks again,
Travis, USAF
**We have removed last names, locations and names of specific units from all posted responses.

Hello,
They handed out miniature flags today from the Pocket Flag Project. I received a flag with your note in it. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

May God bless you and your family. Your note said to stay positive.....you do as well.


Sincerely,
Mario, Operation Iraqi Freedom
**We have removed last names, locations and names of specific units from all posted responses.