Thanks for your support!
In jujitsu there’s an action referred to as tapping out. It’s when your opponent has reached a position that is so advantageous that you must submit. You indicate this by tapping them or the mat three times. If the Taliban could see this they would simply tap out!
A while ago I complained that the food here at the FOB was almost non-existent and of extremely poor quality. Crap would be a generous term to describe its consistency, quality and desirability. My buddy Troy, from Bouhammer, put out the call for support. On top of that Soldiers Angels, Web of Support and Operation Cookiejar picked up the gauntlet to support us. Let’s put it this way, tons and I mean tons of people started sending us stuff.
Now, let me step back for a second and put this into perspective. I’m sure some of you by now are saying Vampire 06 has lost it and I have no idea where he’s going with this, well welcome to everyday of my wife’s life with me. Most days she just watches me in pure wonder that I can function in the grown up world without hurting myself.
Operation Enduring Freedom has been going on for about eight years, and the war in Iraq for about six. So the American public has been supporting a huge number of troops for quite a while. Food, hygiene goods, movies, and books; lots of stuff has been sent to show deployed troops that the American public supports them.
Enter Team Vampire and our food dilemma.
It is ABSOLUTELY amazing the amount of stuff we’ve been sent. As you can see from the photos below we could open a 7-11 in our house, in fact we received so much stuff that we’ve been passing it on to the rifle company located with us here on the FOB. AND IT JUST KEEPS COMING!
I have two Romanian officers here with us and they’re shocked by all of this, they continually ask if we have to pay for any of this stuff. When we say no, they skeptically ask, “So Americans you don’t know just send all this stuff to you”?
Yeah, Americans we know and don’t know send this stuff!
You've sent clothes, toys, books and a myriad of other items to us for the Afghan people and children we’re attempting to keep free. We’ve tried to explain to some of the population where all of this stuff comes from but to them it’s totally beyond comprehension. On most days it’s beyond our comprehension.
More people than I ever expected in my life purchased Team Vampire shirts to help us give back to Soldiers Angels. I’m floored by the number of shirts we sold. So many that they’re now on a several week back order.
We have another plan up our collective sleeve coming in the near future to benefit another great organization. Stay posted for that, it’s something near and dear to many of us and we hope to have a big impact. More to come.
So, where does the Taliban fit into this whole deal. Well, if they could see the support that people give us they would think twice about our commitment to seeing this mission through here in Afghanistan. Little did they know when they attacked us on September 11th; that they would not only be fighting highly skilled and determined US troops but the American public themselves.
It's your support that humbles us so much, eight years later and so many people continue to take their time and resources to support us and the Afghans. We can’t think of enough ways to say thank you for what you’ve all done for us.
All that we can really say is that when we step off this FOB into battle we take each and every one of you with us. Symbolized by the Stars and Stripes we wear on our right shoulder. You’re here with us showing the entire world that the United States of America is the greatest country this planet has ever seen.
Thank you from Team Vampire and GOD BLESS AMERICA!
(P.S. Mr Taliban that choking feeling you have right now is the American public with a rear naked choke on you. Just tap now, before they really hurt you. Really, just tap!)
It is our extreme pleasure!! Love my new t-shirt!!
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Thank you so much for sharing this - and for complaining in the first place!! As a member of SoldiersAngels.org it is always heartlifting to hear (and when we can - to see) that the support so carefully packed into boxes of snacks, hygeine and assorted odditys is landing safely. Now, where was I planning to send the box of plow wrenches, gaiters, sardines and suduko puzzles?
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In the beginning, when the news came that this little group of 16 men was stranded with barely anything to nourish themselves, the alarm was enough to make you be extremely alarmed. How dare the leadership to allow this to happen. If we can get foodstuffs to them, why can't the leadership? I just will never understand it! No way, shape or form should this situation ever have taken place.
I sent a box recently and had planned to send another......it's hard not to. The American soldier is our lifeline to FREEDOM!.....and we love him very much for what he has done for us.
JERSEY ANGEL
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Team America... it doesn't get any better!
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Greatings from the great midwest. It is April and snowing, two things that shouldn't go together!!! I have not had a chance to purchase a t-shirt yet to help support, as I have been out of work for a year. My wife seems to think food is more important than a t-shirt...
I am now back to work, thanks to free enterprise in America. I am deployed with FEMA and once the paycheck starts rolling in, I will definitely get a few shirts, for me and my little boys back home.
As a veteran, I am moved to tears to see the continued support that the American public has offered in support of the mission of providing freedom to those who didn't have the luck to be born with it. Keep up the good work, and if things go as planned, the Taliban will be tapping out soon enough. If not, they will be tapping nails into coffin lids on a constant basis thanks to your unwavering dedication to duty. Honor, courage, and commitment may not be seen as much in the U.S., but it still alive and well in the hearts and minds of the U.S. Military personnel currently serving, and I am proud to call all of you my brothers. Semper fi, stay low, and always remember: "I'm up, they see me, I'm down."
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Hooah! The support I received always choked me up, even before I deployed. God bless America.
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I happen to be 75 years young...My dad fought honorably in WWI, my brother as a Marine in WWII, I served for 3 years in 1953-1956, our son served in U.S. Navy on a sub doing "special ops". and now our grandson will be deployed to Afghanistan as a Marine. We feel so fortunate to be U.S. citizens, and we are so proud of you all! Thank you for your service and God Bless you all!
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Hey, Hey, Mr. Islamiiii, who do you really want for an ally?
Hey, Hey, Mr. Islamiiii, Americans are donating food and cheers.
Hey, Hey, Mr. Islamiii, Al-Qaeda is telling you to commit haram.
Hey, Hey, Mr. Islamiii, Suicide is a cardinal sin, haram says the Koran.
Hey, Hey, Mr. Islamii, Al-Qaeda is no friend. They cost the Taliban their rule. They kill and maim the girls and women that bear your children.
Hey, Hey, Mr. Islamiii, we'll be glad to let you choose your leaders. We love to see you smile.
Hey, Hey, Mr. Taliban, you don't have chance in the Stan.
Hey, Hey, Mr. HIG, you're going the way of MIG.
Hey, Hey, Mr. Haqqani, it's too bad you're loosing your wannee.
BAD GUYS: Tap out now. Allah is Helping America put down the enemies of Islam. You're being drained of your recruits. They're learning you aren't true Muslims.
MUSLIMS: Rise UP, against your true enemies; the subverters of Islam, the heretics. Rise up and put down Al-Qaeda and their dogs: the Taliban, Hektmayar, & Haqqani, the murderers of Muslims. Allah works through the Americans to give safety and peace to the true believers.
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I wish several things, some probably surprising. I wish I were not 63! i wish I were able to be at least the man I reaaly once was, even if not the one I thought I was. And, I wish I were there with you, humping a ruck up (and up, and up) the Afghan hills again! I left there in '68, and never met an Afghan tribesnman that I would not trust my life to his word. (Just like I never met a Pakistani I would allow to stand behind me!) I wish I could help them again. I also wish I weren't so crazy, that a place that is mostly made up of hills, rocks, hills, sheepshit, hills, and lots of barren valleys (with hills) calls me to come back. Remain safe, remain strong, and know that, yes, we do support you. I wish I could just turn my head to tell you that. Come home safe, all of you.
FIDO!! Drive On!
Paul Andreasen, TSgt, USAF (Ret)
ROMAD 601 DASS (601 ASOC)
CCT 1278 APS
(There's no such think as an Ex-ROMAD)
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Holy crap! What a pantry! Angels rock, dude!
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Son, thru technology - you do take us with you. And we send you Love and the Grace of God. Be safe - and apparently well fed. You guys are all amazing. ~Ria
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That's a whole lot of great stuff, but is there anyway we can get you some fresh fruit down from Kabul?
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And more is on the way...
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The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 04/06/2009 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
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"Tap, Nap, or Snap!!" - Much love, "Sweaty"
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MooseM, I just have to say THANK YOU to you and your family for your service to our country and for OUR freedom!! God Bless You and Yours!!
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It is so heart-warming to see the response from so many wonderful Americans and/or others that answered the "call". This is what America is all about...Praise God! Thank you Vampire 06 Team!! You are in my prayers for your safety and comfort.
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Outstanding!!
You've shown us what you have. Now tell us what you still need so we can go to work on that.
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No, no, no. Thank you.
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You guys rock!! Thank-You for serving and protecting our country and our freedoms!!
All of you are America's Heroes
God Bless and Stay Safe
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Sending a little bit of food to "our soldiers" (you and others) is the least we can do to show our appreciation and pride. You guys do so much and you make us proud Every Single Day.
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I'm so happy that you guys are getting all the stuff to keep you well fed! You guys are in my prayers, keep well, keep safe and know you are appreciated.-Jerusha
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Impressive haul, boys!
I am a proud Soldier's Angel - we rock - but not an American.
I grinned as I had a closer look at your "tablecloth"...
Interesting...
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