Kandahar, 11-30-2015:  Thank you very much for the boxes you sent to the NATO Role 3 hospital at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The hospital is staffed by US Navy personnel stationed across the globe--from Guam to my own duty station at Bethesda, MD--and provides trauma center coverage for all of southern Afghanistan.

The items you sent were all shared with the crew--snacks and things from home are most appreciated. We were especially touched by the drawings, handmade cards, personal greetings, and Christmas wishes from the children and friends. Support from people back home is critical for morale and welfare of our troops. It reminds us why we are here, to take the fight to the enemy, to protect those very people at home. Airman assigned to the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron performs a post flight inspection on a MQ-9 Reaper aircraft at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, August, 2015Afghanistan remains a dangerous place. All the military personnel on base carry a loaded weapon at all times (except in the gym or in the barracks). We had turkey, dressing, and all the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner and spent the evening taking care of a patient at the hospital.

Friday was a regular workday (no black Friday sales here, there is very little shopping to be done on base). For that reason, getting your boxes and being reminded of home was a special treat. Thank you for all that you do to support America's troops. Very respectfully, Phil -------,  CAPT, MC, USN (OF-5)