Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A tribute to America’s fallen heroes
Mark Reddig poses with OOIDA member Tim Logan of San Antonio with the truck he drives, “Fallen Heroes 2.” The truck was previously owned and operated by OOIDA member and veteran of our armed forces Sean McEndree. When Sean recently stopped driving, he asked his carrier to have Tim drive the truck in his place. The side of the truck depicts scenes from Arlington National Cemetery on the side, and has a dedication to a close friend of McEndree’s who died in Iraq – Sgt. Barry K. Meza. The hood, shown here in the second photo, was recently redone to show the Tomb of the Unknowns. Tim briefly visited OOIDA headquarters in Grain Valley, MO, and dropped off a donation for the Truckers for Troops Telethon.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
An update from the heart of the war zone
Earlier this week, we ran a letter from Staff Sgt. James Baldwin regarding the care packages his unit received.Over time, the folks here at OOIDA have tried to keep track of the soldiers. Kerry Evans-Spillman of the Land Line Magazine staff recently check in with Sgt. Baldwin, and he sent back this update and photo.
Hey Kerry,
Well, as far as an update on things going on over here, the war is going as good as it can.
We actually lost a soldier last week during a humanitarian drop of food and blankets. So things around here have been rough lately. We all took it pretty hard but we will get through it.
But thanks for the interest and everything your corporation does for the soldiers. We all appreciate it so much.
I'm attaching 2 pictures for you also. One is a photo of my team with its interpreters in front of our Iraqi Army counterparts’ building, and the other is of an operation we were on in one of the villages we go through.
Thanks again, Kerry, for everything; I look forward from hearing from you again.
SSG James Baldwin
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A thank you from Connie Fifer, friend of soldiers Ryan Martin and Sarah Dunham
In addition to the letters from soldiers and their families, we’ve also received many bits of correspondence from friends of soldiers who received Truckers for Troops care packages.
Connie Fifer is a friend of Ryan Martin and Sarah Dunham, both of whom who received care packages.
She wrote to tell us how much she appreciated OOIDA members donations, and how they made life more livable for the soldiers overseas.
Please pass this photo to all those who contributed to the care packages sent to Ryan Martin and Sarah Dunham.
Sarah’s 20th birthday was March 31st. The Army flew in a birthday cake (and her brother-in-law) to help her celebrate! She got to ride in the Blackhawk helicopter before it returned to its mission.
Thanks again for your generosity! I LOVE these two soldiers with all my heart, and you really helped make them feel cared for.
Connie J Fifer
Connie also sent a photo of both Ryan and Sarah overseas, seen above.
Connie Fifer is a friend of Ryan Martin and Sarah Dunham, both of whom who received care packages.
She wrote to tell us how much she appreciated OOIDA members donations, and how they made life more livable for the soldiers overseas.
Please pass this photo to all those who contributed to the care packages sent to Ryan Martin and Sarah Dunham.
Sarah’s 20th birthday was March 31st. The Army flew in a birthday cake (and her brother-in-law) to help her celebrate! She got to ride in the Blackhawk helicopter before it returned to its mission.
Thanks again for your generosity! I LOVE these two soldiers with all my heart, and you really helped make them feel cared for.
Connie J Fifer
Connie also sent a photo of both Ryan and Sarah overseas, seen above.
Mmmm, that coffee is good
Among the many letters OOIDA has received, the self-heating coffee that was part of the Truckers for Troops care packages was a constant theme.
It was the topic of this letter – and photo – from Staff Sergeant James Baldwin, sent to OOIDA’s Connie Beacraft.
Hey Ms. Connie,
Well, here’s the picture of all of us, but without holding the coffee. We have another picture that we are going to send you with that on it. So I'll get it out to you here soon.
I just wanted to hurry up and get you this for now, though.
Hope all is going well there. Bet its cooler there than it is here .... LOL. It got up to 125 yesterday. I'm looking forward to winter up here.
I'll talk to you later; have a great week!
SSG James Baldwin
It was the topic of this letter – and photo – from Staff Sergeant James Baldwin, sent to OOIDA’s Connie Beacraft.
Hey Ms. Connie,
Well, here’s the picture of all of us, but without holding the coffee. We have another picture that we are going to send you with that on it. So I'll get it out to you here soon.
I just wanted to hurry up and get you this for now, though.
Hope all is going well there. Bet its cooler there than it is here .... LOL. It got up to 125 yesterday. I'm looking forward to winter up here.
I'll talk to you later; have a great week!
SSG James Baldwin
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Thanks for the great cup of Joe
If you think truckers like coffee, wait till you talk to a soldier.
The OOIDA Truckers for Troops care packages included a wide variety of items – condiments to make MREs taste better; playing cards to help pass off-duty hours and relieve tension; snack items; but most popular of all, self-heating coffee.
That was the subject of many of the thank-you letters OOIDA received, including this note from Staff Sgt. Dwayne Guenther.
My team and I would like to thank you and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association very much for the care packages. We really needed everything you sent.
We are delighted that people appreciate what we are doing and going through on a daily basis.
My team wanted me to ask how they can get some more of those self-heating coffee things. Everybody enjoyed them (especially the French vanilla). Is there a Web site or something where we can order them from?
I am enclosing a team picture. Again, thank you for the care packages.
Staff Sgt. Dwayne Guenther
Editor’s Note: We have some good news for Dwayne and his fellow soldiers. We intend to include more of that coffee in the next batch of care packages.
The OOIDA Truckers for Troops care packages included a wide variety of items – condiments to make MREs taste better; playing cards to help pass off-duty hours and relieve tension; snack items; but most popular of all, self-heating coffee.
That was the subject of many of the thank-you letters OOIDA received, including this note from Staff Sgt. Dwayne Guenther.
My team and I would like to thank you and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association very much for the care packages. We really needed everything you sent.
We are delighted that people appreciate what we are doing and going through on a daily basis.
My team wanted me to ask how they can get some more of those self-heating coffee things. Everybody enjoyed them (especially the French vanilla). Is there a Web site or something where we can order them from?
I am enclosing a team picture. Again, thank you for the care packages.
Staff Sgt. Dwayne Guenther
Editor’s Note: We have some good news for Dwayne and his fellow soldiers. We intend to include more of that coffee in the next batch of care packages.
Postcard from Iraq: SFC Rudy Hernandez
On the air this week, we mentioned that many OOIDA members sent us names of soldiers they knew, family, friends and neighbors, who they thought should receive care packages.
OOIDA member Mike Frybarger sent us the name of SFC Rudy Hernandez. And Rudy wrote us to thank truckers for the care packages.
Hello, my name is SFC Rudy Hernandez. I am currently stationed at LSA Anaconda in Balad, Iraq.
I am writing to you today to respond to the packages that OOIDA has sent me. My uncle, Mike Frybarger, is a member of your group and is the person that submitted my name for your group to start sending us care packages.
I want to say THANK YOU for all that you are doing for service members. The things you do show us how much you care.
We really do appreciate your Association. I must say that the gifts you sent to us are very useful. We appreciate all that you do for us over here. I can't say thank you enough for sending us the care packages.
Attached is a picture of 1st Platoon. The soldiers here are the ones that receive your packages you send us.
SFC Rudy Hernandez
OOIDA member Mike Frybarger sent us the name of SFC Rudy Hernandez. And Rudy wrote us to thank truckers for the care packages.
Hello, my name is SFC Rudy Hernandez. I am currently stationed at LSA Anaconda in Balad, Iraq.
I am writing to you today to respond to the packages that OOIDA has sent me. My uncle, Mike Frybarger, is a member of your group and is the person that submitted my name for your group to start sending us care packages.
I want to say THANK YOU for all that you are doing for service members. The things you do show us how much you care.
We really do appreciate your Association. I must say that the gifts you sent to us are very useful. We appreciate all that you do for us over here. I can't say thank you enough for sending us the care packages.
Attached is a picture of 1st Platoon. The soldiers here are the ones that receive your packages you send us.
SFC Rudy Hernandez
Monday, December 8, 2008
Postcard from Iraq: SFC John Trevino Jr.
A number of soldiers sent us photos along with those letters. These two photos came from SFC John Trevino Jr., who is seen at right in the top picture.I received your care package today and wanted to e-mail your organization and say thank you. I will distribute the items to my men, as they will enjoy them. It’s nice to know that you are thinking of us over here.
We are an Infantry Battalion assigned to the city of Kirkuk, Iraq. I am on a Military Transition Team (MiTT) that is responsible for the 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division here.
This is our second tour here in Iraq, as we were in western Baghdad last time.
Any questions or concerns, or curiosities please feel free to contact me via e-mail. Again thank you for your time, effort, concern and care packages.
Sincerely,
SFC John Trevino Jr.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Bob Rollenhagen of Stromsburg, NE
OOIDA member Bob Rollenhagen of Stromsburg, NE, stopped by the Land Line Now studio for a visit. He’s seen here in front of the check showing the amount raised from 2007’s Truckers for Troops Telethon.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Tom Dixon of Blue Springs, MO
OOIDA member Tom Dixon of Blue Springs, MO, stopped by the Land Line Now studio for a visit. Tom's posing here with a certificate for taking part in a charity miniature golf tournament. He's in front of the awards won by Land Line Now for its work on behalf of truckers.
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