From Our Hearts to Theirs ~ Thanks From the Heartland!

Iowa's Bravest's mission is to support our military personnel who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We have been sending appreciation boxes to our brave servicemen and women since the beginning of the war in 2003.  To-date we have sent 2,218 boxes which included over 41,120 pounds(20.6 tons) of gift items.   With your continued support and generosity, we will send boxes for the holidays until all of our Iowa's Bravest come home.

You are making a difference - Just Ask a Soldier

Got Freedom - Thank our Troops!

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We have another wonderful fundraising project underway and we need your help.  One of our Marine Moms,           Sue Gress is going to publish a cookbook titled "Heroes Favorites" with all of the proceeds going to Iowa's Bravest.  She needs recipes from those serving today as well as from our Veterans by August 30th.  Along with their favorite recipe, please include their name, rank, where they served and what years, and military branch.  Please email her at sgress@mchsi.com or you can send it to Iowa's Bravest at IowasBravest@IowasBravest.org and we will pass it on to her.  Deadline = 30 August.

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For our Holiday 2008 project we would like to find youth groups that would like to hand out shopping lists to local store customers.  The list of items are things we want to include in our appreciation boxes.  When the customers do their grocery shopping they will usually pick up the extra item or two and then give it to the kids as they leave the store.  Look at the bottom of this page to see how successful the West High ROTC Cadets were last year at Hy-Vee. 

It's easy to do just email us at IowasBravest@IowasBravest.org for more details.  Its a great way to get our kids involved with community service projects.  Our troops appreciate everything we do for them!

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Girl Scout Cookie Project

Thanks to all of the Girl Scouts and their leaders for making our first "Troops to Troops - A Taste of Home" such a huge success!  On Thursday, 03 April we shipped off 4,000 boxes of cookies to our military men and women serving overseas.  Our community continues to do such a great job in remembering our Iowa's Bravest.  THANKS again for showing how much you really do care.

A HUGE thanks goes out to Taylor from the Aplington-Parkersburg Troop #278 for getting her friends, family and neighbors to donate 418 boxes of cookies to our Iowa's Bravest!  She sold an amazing total of 1,000 cookies of which 418 were for our soldiers.  That was a lot of really hard work on her part and we can't thank her enough for her efforts!  The other girls in her troop donated an additional 48 boxes for a total of 466.

These Girl Scouts are from Anamosa Troop #1564 and Troop #8787.  They donated 207 boxes to our Iowa's Bravest project.  Thanks girls for your generosity!

We have Girl Scouts participating in our project from Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Jesup, Independence, Gilbertville, La Porte City, Readlyn, Traer, Monona, Anamosa, Hudson, Denver, Dunkerton, Aplington-Parkersburg,  Reinbeck, and Fairbank.  Thanks to all of you for you community service.  Our soldiers will love getting your cookies.

Thanks to Michael Allen and his Girl Scout troop for braving the cold weather to sell Girl Scout cookies to their neighbors.  KWWL featured these girls on a news story this weekend.  From our Girl Scout Troops to our Military Troops - a little taste of home!   Great job!

Link to KWWL's news story and video. 

Waterloo Courier - Iowa's Bravest at it again - this time with cookies!

A note from a soldier ~ "Without the support back home, accomplishing our mission would be difficult.  The feelings you get when you come back from a long mission and see a package from home on your cot is priceless.  Knowing that someone back home is thinking about you and supporting you is the feeling that keeps us going.  ~ Sgt Daniel Lewis - 82nd Airborne, U.S. Army.

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The holiday packages have arrived in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Please read the notes we have received from our Iowa's Bravest.  They are posted on the "Soldiers Say Thanks Page."  They will warm your heart!

       

I am truely amazed and grateful for your support of all the troops over here! It is wonderful to get care packages to share with my fellow soldiers from family, friends & a generous community!! It makes our day to know we are not forgotten while we are doing our duty over here! Thank You So Much!!   Quince Kreb

This is the Ottumwa National Guard Unit's Christmas Display.  The 833rd Sappers received 113 holiday boxes for their soldiers from Iowa's Bravest.  1SGT Steve Dreher will be passing out all of these gifts to his soldiers on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Thanks for your help in showing these soldiers that they are remembered by their fellow Iowans.

Our Holiday Packages Are On Their Way !

Thanks to the 200+ volunteers of all ages that showed up at the UAW hall to assemble 320 holiday packages for our Iowa's Bravest. Many of our volunteers were children and that really warmed the hearts of everyone.  In less then 2 hours the volunteers walked the boxes thru the assembly line while others filled them with gift items and then got them readied for shipment.  Warm messages of support and holiday greetings were written on every box.

Thanks to everyone that made monetary donations, donations of items and volunteered your time.  Our project is still going strong because of the compassionate and caring people that continue to help. 

It's never to late to help our project.  Please support our efforts by purchasing a patriotic flag or shirt.  This enables us to send holiday packages to our soldiers and to let them know that they are remembered.

~ Iowa's Bravest Committee Members ~

"Photos Courtesy of Waterloo Courier"

This is one of the most heartwarming volunteer experiences around.  You should stop out and help us sometime.  You will enjoy it!

 

West Waterloo High's Air Force ROTC Cadets

West Waterloo High School's Air Force ROTC Cadets raised $1,483 in cash donations and had over $1,800 in snack items donated by the Crossroads Hy-Vee customers.  Hats off to these wonderful young adults who took the time to help send a little bit of their hometown to the soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan during the holidays.  Thanks to Hy-Vee for letting them have this fundraiser and thanks to the Hy-Vee customers for their generous donations !!

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A BIG THANKS to the members of the Evansdale AMVETS for the wonderful donation of $1,290 from the bake sale that was held in August.  You have been a partner in our project since we began in 2003 and it is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

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National Pride Flag

Flags need to be ordered very soon in order to get them in time for Christmas.  Last date to guarantee delivery is Friday, December 7th.  After that it may be very close. 

                          Buy Your Favorite Veteran A Flag Today!                            

                            

For more details on how you can purchase our new flag "National Pride" please refer to our"Patriotic Flags" page.  All of our flags can be personalized with your Name and Branch of Service or "Iraqi Freedom."  The "Support Our Troops" flags are still available too.  Please continue to support our project by purchasing our patriotic flags.  Fly them proudly!

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New Patriotic T-shirts Are Here - The Eagle Shirts are now available in two colors of sleeves - red and blue!  The Iowa's Bravest logo is screenprinted on the left chest.

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Homecoming Ceremony for 133rd

THANKS to all of our solders for their brave service to our country.  Our hearts are filled with gratitude for you and your family's HUGE sacrifices.  Welcome Home!

      

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Thanks to Mike Thompson for coordinating this beautiful display at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Evansdale on Evans Road.  This is a wonderful way to honor our Veterans and support our Iowa's Bravest project. 

Thanks Mike for your efforts!

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Our Easter shipment for the 133rd Iowa Army National Guard arrived in Iraq this past week.

Thanks to everyone that helped make this happen!

(Photos taken by SGT Denver Foote)

      Easter Shipment for 133rd Iowa Army National Guard   

Remembering Our Soldiers:

Thanks to all of our generous community members that donated towards the Easter shipment for the more then 700 soldiers with the 133rd Iowa Army National Guard.  This group has already been in Iraq for 365 days and will be there an additional 125 days before they are able to come home to their families.  This huge shipment will be a wonderful morale boost for these soldiers.

Volunteers helped pack 120+ boxes that contained almost 5,000 pounds of items specifically requested by our soldiers.  We were able to send that many items because our community stepped up to show their continued support for our brave soldiers.  School children had fundraisers, made Easter cards and banners to send along with our shipment.  Individuals, businesses, church groups and Veteran's organizations all made very generous donations.

Thanks again for taking the time to care~Iowa's Bravest Committee Members

                     

More photos from our Easter project are on the "Articles and Photos" page.

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                             Christmas 2006 Iowa's Bravest Project

This is Brownie Troop #124 of New Hampton.  They had 200+ boxes of cookies donated by their home town residents for the soldiers in Iraq. 

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It's hard to express in words just how much we appreciate your support.  It means so much to know there are people back home who care.  I appreciate all of you taking the time to let us know we are not forgotten or unappreciated.  You are all heroes in my book!  From the bottom of my heart, thank you.  ~ MSGT Steven L Rizner

Our Holiday Boxes Have Arrived in Iraq !!!! (15 Nov 06)

**** More pictures and notes on the "Soldiers Say Thanks" page*****

 

Dear Members of Iowa's Bravest ~ Thank you very much for the care package you sent me and my fellow soldiers.  It was a very nice surprise.  Here is a picture of myself with all of the goodies spread out at my desk.  Thank you again, it is nice to know we are in your thoughts.  ~ SSG Kent Siems - 1-133IN

                 

SPC Drew Dumbauld, SGT Tory Hughes and SGT Denver Foote at Al Asad, Iraq.

Wow, that's all I can say.  The boxes have arrived.  It was certainly correct about the fact that you were unable to repack the items back into the box after it was opened.  I am amazed by the quickness of the arrival.  The John Deere Green is taking over the place.  It is great to see all those who have received a box wearing the hat that was provided.  I wear mine with pride knowing that not only do I work there, but many people there and many others have supported us by sending these our way! There is more in a box then most can handle.  I hear many soldiers swapping, giving out what they may not desire for something else in someone's box that they like more! I have already had requests for a John Deere hats (definitely a hit!).  It was a pleasure receiving the boxes and I know everyone I work close to have enjoyed receiving them!  The graham crackers and frosting was also a big hit.  ~ SGT Denver Foote. 

Thank you for all of the care packages.  Everyone appreciates them, and its a good feeling to get mail. Sgt James Gibson (l) and Sgt Zach Eckenrod (r) with the 133rd.

             

I have to tell you while I greatly appreciate the hat, I will be giving it to someone wo will appreciate it even more......my dad.  He worked for John Deere for 30 years in Dubuque and is very excited about getting this hat when I get home.....a John Deere hat worn in Iraq.  Thanks for giving us both a gift!     ~ CPT Kipp Lenth

               Cub Scout Pack #13

Orange Elementary School, Waterloo

This Cub Scout Pack is going to be collecting microwave popcorn donations again this year for our Iowa's Bravest holiday packages.  Please contribute to the cause.  The soldiers love to have warm popcorn for a snack! 

Thanks to all of our Veterans who have so bravely served our country.  What is a Veteran?  

  

Links of Interest:

" You have two hands.  One to help yourself and the second to help others."               ~ Author Unknown

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