Care package has that power to get rid of those aches and pains

(A letter from a Navy Corpsman serving in Iraq who recently received a Christmas care package from a Loveland Magazine reader who participated in the "Adopt a Soldier for the Holiday" program)

Dear Linda, Dan, Jared, and Logan

Thank you for the care package, I am always surprised to find a care package with my name on it, yet I don't recognize the people who send it. This is my fourth care package since arriving to Iraq and it always makes my day in opening them, and learning about the people who sent them to me.

I was adopted from the Philippines at the age of nine. I last lived in Loveland Ohio before joining the Navy as a Navy Corpsman. I went to school at Loveland high for my last three years in high school, which is where I think fate has connected us. A school teacher from there has been asking for my address, so I gave it to him. So I guess it was eventually given to you.

I am currently in a camp in Iraq, located near the border of Iran. As I said  before I am a Corpsman; currently attached to a unique small unit made up of several MOS. There are about 216 of us and I am one of nine Corpsman attached to them. We arrived hear in the beginning of November.

I am not allowed to tell you exactly what we do... but I can tell you what my job is, as a Corpsman. Pretty much I do what a Medic does for the Army, only I am in the Navy and I take care of Marines instead. We go out and patrol this area... make contact with the local populace and engage/capture any enemy, foreign or domestic we encounter. My job is to preserve the lives of those injured in this conflict, be they enemy or friend. If they're hurt it is my duty to keep them alive as long as possible until higher aid arrives.

Other than that I'm doing well out here... we are being replaced in February so it is likely that we go home in March... however our higher ups are trying to get us to stay for the full deployment. If we do stay it will be likely that we go elsewhere in Iraq and the rumor mill has; it will be in Alambar Province where most of the fighting is now. I also heard they might try and get us to Afghanistan. Typical of them - they just want another ribbon on their chest that says they went to Afghanistan. Anyway, its up to fate whether we stay. Personally, I'd like to serve my full seven months. I just think it not fair that we end up going home early when others before us have been extended for up to a year.

It rained a couple days  here - it's supposed to be the rainy season but it hasn't rained much. Part of me is glad, the other part is disappointed. I am told that when it rains everything turns to mud and they usually don't send anyone outside the wire except to resupply, because they'd normally get stuck. Some good sleep in time that would be.

Anyway, again, I am glad to hear from you guys. It always makes my day a little easier after opening a care package, especially after coming back from a long patrol. For some strange reason, a care package has that power to get rid of those aches and pains, even if its just for that day, so thank you.

(Name withheld for security reasons, upon request)