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Hello,

Thank you to everyone in the community for your  support as only our city of Tehachapi and the surrounding Kern county area could give a family in need. We have been very fortunate during this time being able to tend our sons needs at bedside and assist with his recovery by supporting him.  The generous support from all of you have made this traumatic experience bearable. This is a photo of Matt sitting on a bike when a few local clubs came to visit the Veterans at Palo Alto VA Hospital.

Matthew is healing well with his outside injuries from the shrapnel and will have a very long healing 1 year or more from his brain injury and skull fractures.  Matthew should be coming home this weekend for 30 days Con-Leave(convalesent )  and then off to Fort Lewis in the state of Washington.

Matt is looking forward to seeing his hometown once again and we believe all the letters and support has kept his morale  very upbeat while in Iraq, Afghanistan and also assisting with his recovery.

Thank you again,

Brian & Laura Wilcox

Ever wanted to just check to see if that contractor, doctor, accountant, Vocational Nurse, Private investigator really has a License, which is not expired or any complaints, judgments or disciplinary action taken against the Licensed person.

http://www2.dca.ca.gov/pls/...

I used this site prior to my letting a Neurosurgeon operate on my spine installing a cage. I discovered through this site and further research that he had performed surgeries in another area of the state which 17 people had made complaints. It was discovered he had been installing in the patients backs similar surgeries using non approved FDA parts. I was able to make a more informed decision. I do this since I had went in for a simple knee arthroscopic shave the disc surgery several years ago. I had seven more procedures later all was done and walla. I was told three months later after having increasingly knee problems with pain, I would not return to my line of work and second opinion was the surgery failed. Just as rebuilt engines fail. Sometimes this happens and oh well. But now you can use this State of California Website to become better informed.

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HELLO to all I am going to list one link that provides information on what a soldier in the field could use. If you do go online looking for a company to send a care package just be careful using discretion. As with any need there are those who attempt to exploit a good cause, so discretion is best.  Manytimes just a letter will lift that soldier more then you know, thanking them and the others for stepping up to the plate when a country called for volunteers.

BIG SAVINGS IF YOU WANT TO SEND ANY ONE ANYWHERE A PACKAGE USE THE US POSTAL FLAT RATE BOXES.  The boxes are FREE at the post office with labels. The cost anywhere is only in a FLAT RATE INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC MARKED BOX is only around 9 dollars. I stuffed on once and the couldnt believe how much weight I got inside this box. FLAT RATE 9 BUCKS to send.

This link below has basic information on the needs a soldier can utilize.

http://www.supportourtroops... 

What To Send or To Avoid

 What Not To Send

     Anything that melts.  (M&M's should not be sent to Iraq during the time of extreme high temperatures. They will melt and be a large blob of chocolate).

     Waterless Hand Cleaner/Sanitizer - generally makes mud, baby wipes are preferred

     Sun Screen - already issued in mass quantities, drowning in the stuff

    NO- Liquor of any sort

     NO-Pornography of any sort

    Other Guidelines

1. Personal hygiene items should be kept separate from snack items. Hygiene items give off odors that can taint the taste of snack items.

2. When packing shampoo, hand lotions, and other liquid types, these items should be put inside plastic bags. The bags should be sealed or tied tightly. Kitchen garbage bags work great and even though they may be too big for the items going into a smaller package the excess plastic will act as cushioning and dunnage.

3. When sending snack item, use individually wrapped candy for dunnage. It tastes much better than styro peanuts.

4. Only send nationally recognized brand name products - NO cheapies. We are sending to the best that America has to offer, we should send them nothing less!

 Include a self-addressed envelop so that the soldiers can write if they care to, but do not expect a response; they are awfully busy. Mail is free from Iraq and a stamp is not required

 Publix, Wal-mart, Target, and K-Mart have many of the recommended items and more. It is fun to impulse shop! Take along your children or grandchildren!

Tax deductible donations are accepted for Care Packages, school supplies and soccer balls for Iraqi students helped by our troops, and prepaid phone cards for our soldiers. MOAS is a non-profit tax-exempt organization. Tax ID #65-0883860. Make checks payable to Military Officers Association of Sarasota for Support Our Troops and mail to: 

BG (Ret) James M. (Jim) Hesson 

4612 Chase Oaks Drive 

Sarasota, FL 34241

 Be a blessings to our marvelous military men and women!

The following page has been updates which leads to a site of various needs of support.

http://herobracelets.org/?p...I This site below is good for informational or if you just want to support any soldier anywhere.

 http://www.anysoldier.com/i...

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR REMEMBERING OUR TROOPS

Suggested Care Package Items (not in priority order):

Note: Underlined items were reported in November 2007 as items most sought after

Any snack items – cookies (if home-baked package individually and use popcorn to "pad" the cookies on bottom, sides and top of box), crackers, Slim Jims, beef jerky, Pringles, trail mix, hard candy, gum, Lifesavers, tuna fish (preferably in the flexible pouches), cans of Chef BoyRD (raviolis, spaghettios, etc - if possible those with pop tops), work-out supplements like protein shake powder and bars, mixed nuts, hot chocolate. Coffee supplies (filters, creamer, thermos, instant coffee, coffee singles, tea bags.

Good toilet paper, Mouth wash, tooth brushes, toiletries to include body wash, toothpaste, shampoo, hair conditioner, liquid soap, floss, disposable or Gillette Mach 3, Sensor or Gillette Fusion razors w/extra replacement blades, Gel Type Shaving Cream, baby wipes/cleansing wipes, hand and body lotions (no sun screen-have enough), lip balm, Chap Stick, eye drops. Q-Tips for cleaning weapons. AA, AAA, batteries.

Socks - white tube socks. Also as the real heat of Summer approached, Marines in Iraq requested "runner's socks" for exercise in running shoes. These are white, quarter length (below crew length) similar to NIKE Dri-Fit socks, which use wicking technology so moisture is not absorbed, as with cotton socks. Sandals/shower shoes.

  Books & Paperback books, recent copies of boat, sports & automotive magazines w/ emphasis on 20 - 30 year old readers. (Public Libraries have high-quality, inexpensive, used, recent magazines and books). Board games & Card games. DVDs of current movies.

Prepaid Phone cards for overseas calls. These may be purchased locally or through the Army/Air Force Exchange system at https://thor.aafes.com/  (copy & paste) or by donating designated funds to S-O-T. If you go to this Exchange web site, you do not have to be a member to purchase Phone Cards or Exchange Cards for our troops. There is a significant savings by purchasing Phone Cards through the Exchange. Phone Cards are highly valued by our troops!

Items for Iraqi kids, for hand distribution by our troops - pens, pencils, crayons, small packs of hard candy, art supplies. Books in Arabic are a huge plus. Toys should not have any nation-specific symbols on them.

         Consider filling some boxes with items for female soldiers*; then mark the box, "For Female Soldier/Marine". One in seven serving in Iraq are female.

May you enjoy filling the box as much as the Soldier/Marine who receives it will appreciate your kindness………

* Place scented items in sturdy, sealed, zip-lock bags.

        & nbsp;       &n bsp;       &nb sp; (Updated November 2007)

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My son inlaw Fortune Steele a United States Marine deployed to Baghdad, Iraq near the north east area of the city on 01-13-2008. Fortune is the proud father of my granddaughter Scarlett just 5 months old and husband to my daughter Heather.

My son Matthew United States Army 10Th, Mountain Division, is still serving in the south east part of Baghdad, Iraq until spring 2009. I thank everyone who has supported the troops through prayer and deed. I am going to post both my sons addresses once again. Matthew said he has been able to share with many others soldiers cards, puzzles and goodies. Anything from home lifts their spirits. Remember both of these young men and other Tehachapians choosing during war time to serve our nation and community.

Maybe you know another soldier and need direction here below is just one of many websites that's are very informational. "ANY SOLDIER" is great they let you know for free what they need, how to package and send items. I use US Postal Flat Rate Domestic and International boxes. The Boxes are FREE from post office along with labels, custom forms. The price to ship is FLAT RATE around 9 bucks a box and I havent been able to exceed the weight. If ya don't want to hassle shopping or know of someone else "ANY SOLDIER" website also has a donate and send package programs. I know of many websites who will for free ship items to troops. Just GOGGLE "troops free stuff". One lady i found bakes cookies and ships them for free. She has done this for both Gulf wars and has baked herself over 790,000 cookies. The Cookie Lady CookieLady@TreatTheTroops.org  My son Matthew received one dozen choclatechip cookies free. WOW

http://www.anysoldier.com/H...

 Please use your discretion when looking online checkout the organization.

FORTUNE STEELE'S ADDRESS IS AS FOLLOWS IN BOLD WRITING

LCPL, STEELE, FORTUNE

5/11 T BTRY (1^ST PLT)

UNIT 41491

FPO, AP 96426-0491

MATTHEW'S ADDRESS IS AS FOLLOWS IN BOLD WRITING

Spc. Matthew McCool

Unit 41542

FOB Rustamiyah

APO AE 09390-1542

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Hello to all,

Our son Matthew has been deployed to Iraq from fall 2007 until spring 2009.  He was deployed fall 2006 until late spring 2007 in Afghanistan.  Matthew like so many other men and women missed being home with their families during Christmas and Thanksgiving 2006. Matthew will also be missing 2007, 2008 Christmas and Thanksgiving with us as he is serving now in Iraq. Matthew is currently assigned to the 10^th Mountain Division, 4^th Brigade, C-2/30 CBT( Combat Team) stationed out of Fort Polk, La. 

http://brianitos.com/_wsn/p...

Matthew’s long time childhood friend who is also in the United States Army serving in Iraq with a different unit, was on leave this past summer and he visited us. During the visit he explained he was having a really bad day in Iraq.  He went on to say at the end of the day he had received letters from some elementary school kids in Tehachapi.  He remembers all his problems of the day melted away as he read the letters touching his heart. He said it was such a morale booster to him and those around him that others were still thinking of them especially the young kids.  I could see in his eyes and hear in his voice as he told my wife Laura and I, that receiving these letters still left a deep impression on his heart.

I am asking you to remember my son and the many others. Would you consider writing my son Matthew an encouraging note in your spare time. We received a phone call from Matthew this Thursday 12/13/07 morning at 230am telling us his new address and he had been airlifted to where he will be living at F.O.B.(Forward Operating Base) Rustamiyah, Iraq. Matthew sounded good only complaining of how bad it smelled in Iraq. How is missed and loved us all.  My wife Laura and I continue to pray for Matthew’s and the others serving, for their safe return and that he may fix his eyes upon Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

Respectfully,

Brian & Laura Wilcox

If you do decide to write to Matthew here is his address exactly as he indicated.

SPC Matthew McCool

HHC 2/30 INS. 4^TH BDE 10^TH MTN DIV

UNIT #41542

F.O.B. RUSTAMIYAH

APO, AE 09390-1542