Thank You from the 116th Brigade Combat Team

I am Captain Cole Packwood and I am the Commander of the Headquarters Company for the 116th Brigade Combat Team and the recipient of four huge boxes from your office. I would like to thank you for thinking of us and sending the cards, snacks and other items. It always brightens our days when something comes in the mail, bigger is always better, and you have set the record! I particularly liked the card from Gibson Eustermann, as my daughter Megan turned one since I have been over here.

We have unpacked the boxes in our common area and all the soldiers of the company have stopped by and picked through the gifts and snacks and have carted most of it away. We are continually impressed by the support we receive from our community. Although born and raised in Boise, I have spent most of my adult life away with the active Army. This deployment has really allowed me to come to understand why I wanted to return to Boise to raise my two children; Jacob, now 3, and Megan. Boise is filled with truly amazing and warm people. Next month will mark one year since we left home and we still have many more months to go. It keeps us going knowing that even after being gone so long we are still being thought of by our community, thank you.

Things are actually going quite well over here, although I sometimes question what we see on the television. Today we played the local soccer team in a friendly match, they crushed us. Turns out three of their players happen to be on the Iraqi National Team. They also happen to be policemen, serving their country right along side us. That will probably not make the evening news, but it was a great event for all of us involved. Thank you again for the packages.

Sincerely,
Cole Packwood
Captain, US Army, Commander, HHC/116 BCT
WARRIORS FIRST!!!