troop letter: Hank

November 03, 2008

Bob and Jim,

Good afternoon, gents.  I just wanted to write you both one more time before I left for home. 

We picked up our replacements Monday and are in the turnover process now.  All going well, my team should be packing up and leaving Camp Clark around the 3rd or 4th of Nov.  We then embark on a 3 week oddysey making pit stops in Kabul, Kuwait and Norfolk for various out processing events before Uncle Sam finally cuts us loose and sends us home before Thanksgiving.  That would be fine by me.  These next few weeks will probably be very exasperating with the hurry up and wait, the down time, the sitting through the same briefs, completing the same paperwork for the umpteenth time.  However, every moment - good or bad - does bring us closer to home. 

I wanted to thank you for all your support and generosity during our time here in Khowst.  You were always there for us.  And you constantly astounded me with the frequency and amount of packages that you sent our way.  I realize you spearheaded these efforts and there are many good people working with you to make this all happen.  We are extremely grateful to you for bringing it all together, and we are also extremely grateful to those who made the donations, and invested the time, thought and effort in assembling the packages and adding all the kinds words of encouragement and heartfelt wishes for our safe return.  It does make it easier to work over here when you know people care and appreciate what you are doing. 

My relief is CDR Jim .  His team will be here for the next year.  His e-mail will be . 

Best wishes to you, your families and everyone else who was involved in supporting us at Camp Clark.  I certainly won’t forget you guys any time soon.  Take care!

CDR Hank