We want to share with you the wonderful messages that we have received from our Iowa's Bravest.  We think it is important for you to read them for yourself so that you can see just how important it is to our soldiers to be remembered by their community. 

As one soldier wrote "Sometimes it feels as if we've been forgotten, then a care package comes in and reminds us of the great communities and people back home who support and help us.  I always think of the bumper sticker "Is this Heaven - no it's Iowa" - believe me being here puts a whole new  meaning to it!" ~ Steve Holding

Ken Pfiffner, Mike Lawson and Connie Troche were on hand along with five other soldiers to help honor our Veterans and to help assemble the 225 boxes on Veterans Day this year.  THANKS so much for making our night even more special by working along side all of us as we prepared our holiday gifts for our Iowa's Bravest serving in the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan.  Ken and Connie are with the Army Reserve's 445 Transportation Company in Waterloo and Mike Lawson is an Army Recruiter in the Waterloo Office.

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Wow, what a treat!!  Thanks a million, from myself and all the people that I shared the cookies with.  Giving out the cookies put a smile on everyone's face!!  I really don't know how to thank everyone enough.  Here's a picture of me, SGT Scott Johnson handing a box or two to a passing Humvee and the other is me giving one of my soldiers, PFC Burns a box.  Like I said, thank you, thank you, thank you.  ~ Sincerely, SGT Scott Johnson.

                                                           

Words can not begin to describe how I felt when I opened my box from Iowa's Bravest.  It certainly brightened up my night after a rough day of patrols and various other missions.  I am the second in my family to receive a care package from Iowa's Bravest, my older brother Matthew received one two years ago. ~ SPC (P) Michael W. Lawson

                                     

We are truly thankful for caring people like you who are willing to devote their time and resources to helping us out this holiday season.  Receiving mail from home always makes for a good day.  Thanks again ~ SGT Andrew Wendling (left) and SPC Derrick Wygle (right).

                               

Thank you to all involved with Iowa's Bravest for the packages.  I was amazed how much stuff you got into those packages.  ~ Jason Lewis, an employee of John Deere.    

           

 Thank you to everyone supporting us.  I have received the package from you and I am very grateful.  Thank you for all that you do for us it means alot.  ~ CPT Trent Short

                    

This hat traveled almost 1,000 miles across the Al Anbar province of Iraq.  This hat was next to me in the Gunners turret every dirty mile.  Thank you again for your support.   SPC Ryan Gericke - 1-133rd Iowa Army National Guard.

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Our project is a HUGE success because of the wonderful support of our community. Thanks to each and everyone one of you that made a cash donation, donated an item for the soldier's boxes or volunteered your time.

Adam and Chad, U.S. Army Reservists, serving in Iraq.

       "You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give." 

~ Winston Churchill

"As different as we are from one another, as unique as each one of us is, we are much more the same than we are different. That may be the most essential message of all, as we help our children grow toward being caring, compassionate, and charitable adults."

~ Fred (Mr) Rogers