Thank you notes

"I signed up for Operation Paperback earlier this year and the response has been overwhelming. Thank you to all the people I've been unable to send letters to. Know that even if we can't always thank you personally, your gifts live on here in our libraries and MWR sections. "

"Dear Operation Paperback, Thanks so much for sending us books and for your service to us through your program. I've gotten several boxes from... Mary Beth M., Krista P., John T. I put the books out in our waiting room for people to pick and read. I'll include you in my monthly newsletter, feel free to pass along to anyone. Anyone can email me if they want to get my monthly newsletter. "

"Dear Operation Paperback, Thanks so much for sending us books and for your service to us through your program. I've gotten several boxes from... Mary Beth M., Krista P., John T. I put the books out in our waiting room for people to pick and read. I'll include you in my monthly newsletter, feel free to pass along to anyone. Anyone can email me if they want to get my monthly newsletter. "

"Good afternoon!! I received my box today and I wanted to say thank you for them and for what you are doing. I have shared them with my shipmates and we all greatly appreciate them. Thank you again and best wishes for continued success. :) "

"I got a shipment of books today! Thanks so much for your program, and especially to your volunteers! "

"John, Thanks - got your books, and am putting them in our waiting area. I will include you in my monthly newsletters now. "

"Mr. Tarpey, We have received the shipment of books. Thank you so much for your kind donation. "

"I would like to thank all of you for sending the various books and comics for our reading pleasure. A deployment can be mentally very taxing but it's always a pleasure to escape into a good book. "

"Dear Volunteers, I received a letter from your organization along with your support in the form of paperback books. I am an avid reader and your gift means a lot to me. I am actually a civilian working for the Department of Defense and I am attached to the 101st Airborne Division in Bagram, Afghanistan. The volunteer's name on the letter I received was Penny C. Thanks to all of your supporters."

"Dear Volunteers, I received a letter from your organization along with your support in the form of paperback books. I am an avid reader and your gift means a lot to me. I am actually a civilian working for the Department of Defense and I am attached to the 101st Airborne Division in Bagram, Afghanistan. The volunteer's name on the letter I received was Penny C. Thanks to all of your supporters."

"Dear Janet, Thank you so much for the books. Being stationed on a remote Base, we don't have a lot of diversions, and your books are a welcome relief. Please convey our gratitude to all the Operation Paperback volunteers. We really appreciate your support! "

"I am writing to thank you again for all of your outstanding support. All of the Soldiers really do appreciate the books and gifts that your organization has provided. I have truly enjoyed the outpouring of support from your great volunteers. Thanks so much."

"Thank you, We received several boxes of books. We have read many and recycled a lot to other locations. We appreciate the thoughtfulness to send them and for your support of us. "

"I would like to thank you very much for the recent shipment of books I received. I was able to place them in our small library we have in our DFAC. The soldiers here that like to read are very thankful for you supplying us with some sort of relief. Thank you again for your support. "

"To all of you: Debbie N. of Devon, PA; Jaclyn and Sylvia; Yianu C.; Ilva M. of Heathsville, VA; Thomas F. of Sayreville, NJ; Helen G. from Cedarbrook Nursing Home; Sue M.; and Tom Thank all of you for taking time to help my troops and I have some peace of mind. We received all of the books you sent to my platoon. This time, about four boxes worth. I shared them with the entire Battery, even my commander chose a few to read. Thank you, each and everyone one of you. I hope that all of you are uniquely blessed in some very special way. Again, thank all of you for your time, effort, and financial support of us all. With the utmost respect and appreciation."

"David, Thank you for sending me the books. I appreciate it very much. The books will come in handy and will get my mind off of things for awhile. Again, thank you for everything. I hope you have a good day. "

"John, I just received a box of books from you and Operation Paperback and they arrived just in time! I was down to my last book. The small base that I'm at doesn't have a library, so the books we have sent to us are the only books we can get. I really appreciate what your operation is doing. We have quite a bit of down time and the books certainly help pass time between the missions. I'll be sure to pass the books on once my guys have run through them. So thank you! On a side note, I don't know if you have control over the addresses, but I found out that we will be moving soon. Please do not send any more books to the address I supplied to you. Thanks again for the service you are providing to us and thank you for your family's military service as well. "

"Thank you everyone! It's time to say good-bye, farewell and tell you I would miss this place..NOT! It's time to go home and get ready for the next deployment. Not really, but it seems that way. Please say a prayer for the Service Members who are still forward and a prayer for the new arrivals. I would say that deployments aren't difficult. It's leaving behind family and friends that make it difficult. Not to mention leaving our jobs, dropping a couple semesters for our students, and being away from home when our loved ones need us the most. As always, on behalf of the troops to all of our supporters, families, friends and well-wishers...we couldn't have done it without you. I want to thank you for your prayers, well wishes, thoughts and your support to our troops, especially during the holidays. Thank you for everything you have done for us from praying to sending us care packages. We appreciated your support, prayers and well-wishes. Please continue to support our troops and their families.........It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with America's finest Service Members......Thank you again for your tremendous support of our troops."

"To all you wonderful people: Three shipments of very good choices came this week. Thank you very much. They came from the Ethical Society of St Louis and from Donald C. Thank you, God bless, and Semper Fi."

"Thank you so much for the books and thoughts and prayers. We all appreciate your support of us and all the troops. Than k you for your donation and for caring about your military."

"John, I wanted to drop you a quick note and thank you for the book "Over the Edge." I got my hands on it and got to read it and really enjoyed it. Thanks for your support of the Troops. It is truly appreciated. I currently advise the Afghan Military Police at the Kabul International Airport and am on a 1 year tour. I've got about 4 months left. Take care. "

"Greetings from Afghanistan, How are you doing! This is Chaplain Kim from the ******, Afghanistan. We thank you so much for your books. The books mean a lot to all Soldiers and wounded warriors. We made a small library two months ago, right now it is a big library with about 700 books. We try to make more spaces to make a big library. I hope that you understand this…Once I make this library, it will be used by thousands of Soldiers and patients. We are supposed to go home the middle of Jan, 2011, but another unit will be here at that time and they will use all these things for their Soldiers. Thank you again and continue to pray for us. Blessings "

"Dear Debbie and Associates: Near as I can estimate, 14-15 boxes of magazines and books have been received here in the last week from the fine, supportive folks at Northwest Radiology Network of Indianaplis, Indiana!!! That is just amazing, and we here at Diego Garcia are most grateful. Eight boxes of magazines and books were picked up at the post office a week ago and transported to the support office of the fleet here in the Chagos Archipelago. Following that, the boxes were opened and the contents placed in bags marked for each of the ships, and then the bags were distributed to each of the ships here in the Lagoon. Two days ago, we picked up another 7-8 boxes and we are now in the process of delivering those boxes to the fleet office for distribution to the ships in Harbor. It is very much appreciated by the staff of Prepositioning Squadron II, so on their behalf I would like to thank all of you for the thoughtfulness, effort and expense that went into collecting, packing and mailing these readings to "USS" here at Diego Garcia. You have all been most generous and we are most grateful. All our best to all of you."

"Good afternoon from Afghanistan. I would like to take the time out to say thanks for sending the books to us. The Professional Reading Program is very important in the Marine Corps and receiving these books gives our Marines and Sailors and opportunity to learn more about our history and tradition. May God continue to bless you and take care."

"Just wanted to thank you for the two boxes of books I have received. I am sure the troops will enjoy them. "

"Dear Ms. Audet: Our thanks for both your OP letter and the two hardcover books that came in the box postal dated July 21, 2010. As a former grade school resident of Webster, Massachusetts, you may have been almost a neighbor of mine, but I am hard pressed to recall just where your town is in the scheme of things. Comes with countless years in the tropics. Your choice of publications was excellent and I expect that we will soon count your books among the missing in our library. They were quality publications and I am sure some of our merchant mariner patrons(many of them graduates of both Maine and Mass. Maritime) will find them a real pleasure to read in the limited amount of free time that they enjoy. We all thank you for the kindness. "

"I just want to thank everyone who sent my Soldiers books throughout our recent deployment. You have no idea how much your simple gesture meant to all of us. We where about to escape our situation for just a little while. We have returned to the states and would like you to send any future shipments to Soldiers who are currently deployed. Once again we truly appreciate everything you did for us. And we appreciate all your thoughts and prayers."

"Want to thank all of you for the books. The Soldiers really appreciate it. Gives them a way to relax from the stress of the day. Keep it up."

"Thank you for all the boxes of books that I have received so far. They have been a big hit. They have helped quite a bit and I am thankful for the time and effort everybody has put in sending those boxes. Thank you so very much it means a great deal to us over here."

"I give you my sincere thanks on behalf of my husband and myself. I received the care package for him today and will be forwarding it on. I think what you all are doing is fantastic. Keep up the good work! "

"Dear Kathy: As promised, the "Birds and Blooms" magazines arrived in yesterday's mail and just as you suggested, they are really a very welcome, and beautiful gift for our guests here at the Seamen's Center. For the discerning reader, they are a really great read and I thank you for going to the time and the expense to share them with "USS". My guess would be that they will find a broad readership among our many visitors here at the Center. Thank you again for your generosity, it will much appreciated by many of us here at Diego Garcia. "

"Dear Mrs. Davis and Mr. Doran: Thank you most kindly for the large boxes of both magazines and books that you so kindly sent to this late last month and early this. They were received here at Diego Garcia over this past weekend and distributed throughout this Center earlier today. The magazines were just an excellent selection(Smithsonian, Discovery and Texas Highways) and the western novels will be placed aboard ships here in our Lagoon by the staff of the local COMSPRON TWO office. We are most grateful for your thoughtfulness and thank you for taking the time to remember the seafaring guests of USS here in the British Indian Ocean Territory. I close with our deepest thanks for your kindness."

"First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, MI, I applaud your fervor in support your U.S. troops. Your packages sent helped to quell the boredom of everyday in the Afghanistan theater of operations. Being from Michigan myself (Mason) I want to thank you all personally and from the Marines and Sailors of 1st Marine Division’s Headquarters Battalion a gracious “Thank you.” "

"I would like for you to extend a warm and heartfelt thank you to the members of Alpha Pi Lambda for sending the books to me. There were a few others I didn't get a chance to say thank you to and I've lost the paperwork, so if there's anyway you can track the people who sent books to me, please tell them thank you. As much as I've enjoyed receiving the books, I'm running out of space for them and our local library isn't that big to store any more, so I'm asking you to remove my name from the list. Once again, thanks for all of your kindness and generosity."

"Thank you very much for the books that you sent. They will be enjoyed many times over and circulated here for many troops to read. Your kindness and time spent volunteering is greatly appreciated by the people over here. Once again, thank you all very much. "

"We received two pallets of books. This is a treat better than ice cream in the desert. We are having a so much fun, not just the anticipation of reading, but digging through looking for the sequels for each other. Smiles all around. Thanks!!!! "

"I would like to thank all those who have sent Books to myself and the 809 ERHS personnel. Each delivery is met with a smile and hands waiting to find the book that will take them to another place. The books have traveled throughout Afghanistan. Thanks again for all your support."

"Dear Friends: I wanted to impose for just a moment to thank you for the generosity of the two boxes of magazines that you recently went to the expense and trouble to mail us here at USS Diego Garcia. It was a very excellent choice of publications - some of which are already in circulation here on the island. We thank you for the gift, and your generosity in mailing them to this Seamen's Center for distribution to both active duty military personnel and the civilian mariners and their guests who use this facility. I recently noticed where Operation Paperback is noted among the American Merchant Marine Library Association's list of their "Dedicated Friends" on Page 8 of the 2009 annual report. You most certainly are very much held in high esteem by both the staff and patrons of this USS Center. Thank you kindly."

"Hi folks! Just a quick note to let you know that we received a package of books from you guys, via the good folks at The Ethical Society of Saint Louis. What an amazing selection. We usually receive your basic Tom Clancy-type books, but today we received Shakespeare, Arthur Miller, Dostoyevsky, and Steinbeck - just to name a few! It was a nice selection. More importantly, several of my Soldiers have grabbed copies to start reading. Some commented that there were books they remember from back in school and wanted to read again, while others found classics that have been sitting on their "meaning to get to" lists for years. Thanks very much for your kindness and generosity. "

"I received your book shipment! Thank you very much! "

"Hi Francis and Sandy R, I want to thank you so much for all the books. My bookshelves were almost full. I thought I was going to have to get another cabinet. There have been many more soldiers and marines using the Internet Café this month. The books have gone down some with the increased activity. The Internet Café was just open from 0700-1600 until last week we extended the hours to 2200. I have several bookshelves and an area where they can lounge and make coffee or make popcorn. COL Keith still will not let me have a TV for them. I am still working on that. The Internet Café is in an old mess hall. They blocked off the kitchen area. I hope to get the rest of the building soon. SFC Jatko said that he was trying to get them to take out the kitchen equipment so I can start some of the activities that I wanted to. I will be able to set up an area where the service member can read a book to a loved one. With the help of the USO I will be able to record it on a DVD for them. The USO has a United Through Reading program. They will supply the DVD’s. I will not be able to mail the DVD’s like the USO does. I also wanted to set up an area where they can play guitars. The variety of books you sent was great. I just had one person ask for westerns. I do not have many of them. "

"To All, Today I received a three shipments of paperbacks, and they are greatly appreciated.(Ms. Eleanor D., Mr. David G., Cedarbrook Nursing Home) I enjoy reading to take my mind off of being away from home. I am glad I can serve my country and to help keep the United States safe and remain free. Again, THANK YOU, the books are greatly appreciated."

"Good evening from Afghanistan. I just received our first book from Operation Paperback today. The title is “Once Upon a Country” by Sai Nusseibeh. Our Marines will take full advantage of gaining knowledge from reading about Palestine. I know that it’s not on the Professional Reading List but perhaps maybe it should be. I’ll make sure that I give you feedback from myself and the Marines. Take care and thanks for everything."

" I would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much for the books your volunteers sent. My Marines and I are pleased to see the support we have received from our fellow citizens. The books do provide some diversion from our daily tasks and help tremendously with morale. Once again I would like to thank you for sending these books and showing the support of our brave men and women in the Marine Corps."

"This is for Girl Scout Troop 2516 from Eastchester, NY. I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for thinking about me. I hope this email reminds you that everything you do for us, "the Soldiers", matters. Take care of yourself and keep it up."

"I received 2 boxes of books from The Kennedys (JOE,VICKY,ISABEL,JOSEPH) and from Kasey Ozevedo. I just wanted to say thank you to you and to all the other volunteers in your wonderful organization. I will share the books with everybody here in the camp. Thank you again for your continued support, kindness and generosity."

"Just to let Diana Calder know that I received the books and goodies. I really appreciate your kindness and generosity. Reading is one of the few ways we have to spend our free time and it helps to relax. Thank you for everything. The support you provide greatly improves morale of everybody."

"For everyone that has donated and sent books to myself and my fellow soldiers here, thank you so much! You have provided a get away for us, along with hours of entertainment for us avid readers!"

"I have only been in country for a week, but I stumbled upon a box from Operation Paperback and found two books from one of my favorite authors. I can't thank you enough for your generous support of our troops overseas. Thank you!"

"Good morning Mr. Tarpey, On behalf of all the Marines here At CLR-15 Supply Co, I would like to thank you for your generosity. The packages were great and definitely lifted our spirits. May God bless you and your family always. "

"John- Hello! Sorry I haven't written you back. We received an additional box of books from you a few weeks ago that are much appreciated. Our mail takes slightly longer than most other places in Afghanistan, because it makes a few more stops in order to get here to us. I've had mail that's taken 5 days, and some boxes arrive that took six weeks. It's just one of those things. I am indeed a nurse. I love my job, and in my four years in the army have been stationed two places in Germany (Heidelberg and Landstuhl) and El Paso, TX (and I suppose you can consider Afghanistan a fourth place). I'm not sure what your daughter does, but I am a Med Surg nurse by trade. At the hospital here, we are more jack of all trades. I work ICU, triage, ambulance, trauma, and anything else they need! We are getting much busier here, which is good in some ways, and bad in others. It's not as hot here as it is in Iraq. My husband was in Iraq 2006-2007 and I remember him saying it would be 120-130 degrees. I think they highest temp we've had so far is about 115--hot but not that bad. The weather here is very similar to what we had in El Paso, so it's not been too much of a jump for us from Bliss. Unfortunately, we do not leave the base. I wish we could go out and visit the local area, because Herat has so much culture. From what we've seen of the areas north and south of us (from the Medevac crews), it looks like a beautiful country that I really wish I could explore. We sometimes have the opportunity to go to bazaars where local merchants bring things to sell. I love the carpets, so I have bought three so far since I've been here. My husband told me recently we need to buy a bigger house so we have room for all the carpets I have (I also lived in Turkey when I was in elementary school). It's alot of fun for the girls (all five of us) to go to the bazaar since we only have two px's the size of trailers, and we kind of go through withdrawal from not spending our money. Take care"

"Hello John, Just wanted to let you know that I have received your box of books. I really appreciate your kindness. We are creating a small library for all service members here on Camp Taji, so I will be sharing your books with everyone here. Thank you "

"I just wanted to say thank you all so much for the books! I have been sharing them with my soldiers and with our wounded warriors. We are all very appreciative and can't begin to thank your organization enough. "

"Thank you for all the books. It has made time really fly by."

"I would like to thank everyone that supported me and my Battalion while deployed in theater. The books were a blessing to us all. I will be sure to pass along this valuable resource that helps sustain troops while in theater."

"Thank you to everyone who has donated books to us troops. Every time I pass by the books I always keep a keen eye out for a new book, and I have found some of my all time favorites as well as some new favorites on numerous occasions. You have staved off boredom, sparked creativity and allowed me to escape into a good book. THANK YOU!"

"Sandi E, Colleen Q., Carolyn P.: Greetings to one and all: My apologies for using the group response, but the book blizzard occasionally comes so fast and furious that this is the only reply that I have the time for. At the present time, the Seamen's Center here at Diego Garcia serves as a transit point for all book boxes received at our post office. As soon as we determine from the US postal documents that the contents are indeed books, we transport them to the US Navy port facilities and they see to it that the books are equally divided and delivered to all the ships currently in port at that point in time. Your very generous boxes of books will be delivered to COMPSRON II tomorrow morning and our friends there in the Navy will see to it that the books are delivered to the ships for the weekend where I know they will be most appreciated. Thank you kindly for your care, concern and generosity in sending those books to "USS" for delivery. It is very much appreciated by all of us here at DG. "

"Dear Ms. Hill and Ms. Shott: Happy July 4th and thank you for helping to make ours more celebratory. The books that you were kind enough to send "USS" late last month are most welcome here and once normal operations resume here on Tuesday, July 6th, we will be passing them over to COMPSRON Two for transport to some of the American merchant ships on the Lagoon here at Diego Garcia. The 25 books you sent were an excellent selection of classics which I think the American seafarers will very much welcome and enjoy reading. We thank you again for your thoughtfulness and hope that you are having a wonderful American holiday observation. We most certainly are - in part due to the kindness of people like yourselves. "

"Dear Mr Cote: Thank you so much for your gifts of books. They arrived today and are very much appreciated. A little about us: we are a Forward Surgical Unit with the US Marine Corps. We are Navy docs, nurses, and corpsmen who care for wounded Marines, Afghan forces, and Afghan citizens. Our facility is made up of tents we constructed ourselves and we are in a forward operating base in *******. It is pretty austere here, with no exchange (store), dining facility (it's MREs/field rations, and all the warm water you can drink! But it is home for us for 7 months. The books are so appreciated as it helps time to pass and keeps us entertained. Thanks again. If you wish to see what our facility and some of us look like we have a facebook page : Charlie Company, 1st Medical Battalion. Please take a look. We hope to keep in touch. "

"Ms Selina: I want to thank you for the books that you sent me. They are greatly appreciated. There is not much to do except work (takes up most of my time), email my kids, and read. Reading takes my mind off everything that is going on around me and is a great thing to do prior to going to bed at night. Again, I greatly appreciate it and will share with the others in my detachment."

"Hello Sue, Just wanted to let you know that I have received your box of books. I really appreciate your kindness. We are creating a small library for all service members here on Camp Taji, so I will be sharing your books with everyone here. Thank you."

"Please send a thank you to Ms. Heidi W.and the parishioners at Our Lady of the Angels, Bradenton, FL. I just received a box of books and some magazines from them. I appreciate their support and will enjoy some of the books they sent. I am sure that when I place the books in the unit library, they will be well received. Thank you again. "

"Dear Jacob: I have received a HUGE box with books and magazines. Please know that it means so much to me and everyone here. Thank-you so much for your support. God speed to all."

"I just received my first package from you guys, and I want to thank you for your excellent program! I’m going to share this box with the rest of my division out here, so everyone can find something to read. The person who shipped these books was Ms. Helen M., but unfortunately, she did not leave an email address. Please let her know that I have received them. Thanks again, I (and the rest of the US military) greatly appreciate your efforts and sacrifices. "

"Operation paperback, As always thank you for the generous donation of books that you have provided to me and the other troops. I have been distributing the books to the troops that come through our customs inspection site. Most of these troops are waiting for transportation to go home for some much needed R&R. I know the books are appreciated because every time I receive a new shipment I am surprised at how many of the books have been taken. Once again thanks for your generous support. "

"Hello, I just wanted to let you know that I have received boxes full of books from Barb K., Selina and Sally, John T. and Suzy F. I have already e-mailed all except Barb. Barb's box was partially open and no letter was present. Please let Barb know how much I appreciate the books, and that all sevice members on Camp Taji will benefit from her kindness. Thanks."

"Selina & Sally: I want to thank-you and everyone at Operation Paperback. I have now received two shipments of books and mags!! It means so much to me and I am grateful for your support. Again, a BIG Thank-you!!!! "

"To the employees of Bausch & Lomb: Today, I received the books you all sent. Thank you for giving of yourself, expenses and your time to send my platoon books to read, so that we may make a mental escape from all of the nonsense that builds up when so much testosterone is enclosed within a 16' x 20' room. I must mention however, to send a very special thanks to the one who sent "The Day The Red Baron Died". I became infatuated with Mr. von Richthofen's story 2 years ago. I was stationed very near Wiesbaden, Germany and had the privilege to visit his gravesite at the Sudhof Cemetery. So I think this book will be the first I start to read. What a wonderful coincidence. Again, thank all of you. "

"Just received a couple of your care packages and wanted to thank you for the time and effort it took to put together. The company and I get excited when they come in and at the chance to be able to dive into a new book. It helps out a lot to be able get lost in a story and forget about where we are even if it only for an hour or two. The company and I really appreciate everything that goes into the packages and want to thank you for eveything! "

"Thank you for the books. It sure helps the time go by faster. "

"To the volunteers of the Escape Club and Mrs. Roberts from Eastern Regional High School, Voorhees, NJ, Thank you for the box of books. There are some great paperbacks that you sent. I will put them in the unit’s library so that it is accessible for all of us. Thank you again for your support. "

"Thank you Operation Paperback for having people like: Jaime T. from Keedysville, MD and Cheryl R. from Escape Club in Voorhees, NJ I received a box of books from each of the people and am very thankful for their donations. I appreciate their support and will make good use of the books that they have sent. "

"Ms. Hill, Thank you for sending the box of books. The employees of Mustang Engineering have good taste in reading material. Please tell them that we all appreciate their contribution and support. Unfortunately, we do not have VHS tape players here. Thank you for your offer for VHS movies. "

"Trevor, Jake, and Operation Paperback folks, Thank you for the box of books. My son just joined the Cub Scouts before I deployed. I was able to take him to 2 den meetings prior to me leaving. I hope that he continues his scouting and gets as far as you. As for the books, they are a great distraction from the day to day operation and will be a great addition to our unit library and will be available for many Marines and Sailors to read. Thank you for your dedication and hard work in supporting the troops. We appreciate it. "

"Thanks so much for all you do! Your support and generosity is humbling."

"Dear Operation Paperback, Thank you so much for all of the books you have sent to me for disbursement during my deployment. It has been wonderful to be able to offer books to soldiers who need a chance to "escape into a book" for a few minutes now and then. Your books are one of the most popular items here! As soon as I get a box in, they are gone within a couple of hours. Thank you for all you do to support the troops!"

"I would like to personally thank all of you for what you do. It cannot be described in words, the feelings experienced, when people acknowledge the challenges we face and try, to their best abilities, to comfort them. The Marines I serve with greatly appreciate your support! Semper Fi! "

"Sue Hirsh, Jacob Nemetz, Linda Despeaux, Selina Fansler, Sally Brooks, Virgina Geisbert: Just want to say thanks to all who went out of their way to send us all the books. I have shared the books with all the members in my squadron and have repackaged some to send out to the forward bases that we service. We are here to transport the wounded and have given some to our patients as well. Everyone sends their thanks! It really does mean a lot to all of us here to have people back home to volunteer their time and effort to make our time here more tolerable!"

"Good evening, In the past couple weeks I have received several packages. I wanted to take a second and let you know that I did in fact receive them, and thank you as well as the sender, for taking the time to put them together. Each one is very appreciated. After a book is finished we either trade it to another one in the squad, or take it to the MWR, where they have a lot of book shelves where soldiers are free to take and bring books. So please be assured that all the books that ya'll are sending, they are getting well used. Below is a list of everyone that I have received a packeage from. If you will please let them know that I got it. I have also written them a card, but it might take a couple weeks to get to them. Thank you. June B of Carlsbad, CA Joanna U and Girl Scout Troop 2028 of Massapequa, NY Delores G Jacob N and Eagle Scout Troop 50 of Devon, PA Cynthia Z of Loveland, CO Thank you to all of you!!!! "

"Dear Roy, Monica and Kristine: Jut wanted to write you all a sincere letter of thanks for the kindness of your recent donations of books to USS Diego Garcia. Upon receiving the books yesterday, we made arrangements to deliver the books to the local COMPSRON Two office and will transport them to that office tomorrow for distribution aboard three of ships currently anchored here on the lagoon at Diego Garcia. Once aboard the ships, I am certain that they will be most appreciated by the men and women of the American merchant marine who man those ships while they are here in port. I am sure that, like me, they will be most grateful for the kindness of your generous donation. We all thank you for taking the time to remember "USS"."

"Dear Ms. Rich: Thank you kindly for the generous box of magazines that you priority mailed to us on the 17th of this month. It proved to be an excellent selection of publications that many of our seafaring patrons will enjoy reading. We appreciate your taking the time to send this to "USS" and we are all most grateful for your thoughtfulness. Best wishes this Independence Day weekend."

"Dear Friends: We received three (3) most welcome boxes of paperback books just yesterday from all of you with Operation Paperback and just wanted to write and thank you - profusely, for your kindness and generosity. As with other boxes of books received earlier this week, we will be tranaferring all three boxes to COMPSRON II tomorrow morning and they will then place them aboard some of the many ships here in the Lagoon at Diego Garcia. We have no doubt that the books will be most welcome with the seamen and women staffing those ships. We thank you for your thoughtfulness and I am sure these American seafarers join me in expressing our thanks for your care and concern. All the very best from all of "USS". "

"Good Afternoon Folks: Just wanted to confirm the arrival of your boxes of used, paperback books in this morning's mail. The shipments were much appreciated and have been put to immediate use. I was on my way to the local ship agent's office for COMPSRON II and passed the boxes on over to them for to the vessels in our lagoon. I am sure the reading material will be much appreciated once it arrives aboard ship. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness - OP people keep us well supplied and entertained. "

"Dear Ms. Thompson: Just excellent! Thank you most kindly for the box of paperback books that you mailed to "USS" back on June 11th. I took real pleasure in shelving most of the books back in our game room/library and set aside a few to take to the ships when I make a visit to the Military Sealift Command this afternoon. Your donation will be much appreciated by many of the seafarers with a bit of free time on their hands and looking for something interesting to address their literary needs. All the best to you this coming holiday weekend."

"Dear Ms. Durbin: Now that was different! Thank you kindly for all the gardening magazines that you so kindly sent earlier this month. We have put them out on our display shelves and it is really quite attractive. Those magazines are really different from the current events publications that we frequently place on display. I have no doubt that there are some among our population here who will find them quite interesting. Thank you for the thought and all the very best over the coming Independence Day weekend. Much appreciated by all of "USS' here at Diego Garcia"

"Dear Ms. Harries: Thank you most kindly for the box of books that you sent ot us on the 12th of this month...I can assure you that they are already on display and some in circulation here at the Seamen's Center at Diego Garcia. We are most grateful for your thoughtfulness which is very much appreciated by our seafaring visitors and residents of the island. "

"Dear Kent and Gigi: Receiving your most welcome box of magazines - great selection - reminded me that I graduated from Barlett High School in Webster, Massachusetts(01570) more than a few...decades ago! We very much appreciated the large box of magazines that you so kindly sent to "USS" on the 5th of this month('bout the time the Celtics first got bogged down in LA traffic). It was just an excellent selection of publications and many of them are already in circulation among our seafaring clientele. One thing we noticed was how new the printing date was on many of the magazines...some less than a month old! On DG, that passes for "new" news and so we are most grateful for your thoughtfulness. We very much appreciate the your frequent contribution to our library and welcome your support of "USS" and it's missions to seafarers here at Diego Garcia. "

"Dear Scintilla: My apologies, the box of magazines that you so kindly sent to us had gone through some postal services abuse and the condition of the box and the postal address were distorted and destroyed....we were lucky to receive the box intact with it's contents! The only thing we were able to identify is the OP letter with the contents of the box, and that only had your name. So, we thank you most kindly for your thoughtfulness and I can assure that the contents of the box...magazines, are now a part of the island literary circulation. Thank you very much for your efforts on our behalf. It is very much appreciated. Feel free to write "USS" back by return mail."

"Dear Friends: Thank you most kindly for your letter and the large box of DVDs which you so kindly sent to "USS" here in Diego Garcia late last month. We were most pleased to receive the large box about the 10th of this month, but because I was away from our small island for two weeks, the box remained unopened until today. We take real pleasure in placing these videos on display for the use of our seafarers and active duty military personnel who currently call Diego Garcia "home". We are located a long way from anywhere...due south of India, 5 hours West of Singapore, and a loooong way East of Africa, which puts us smack dab in the middle of nowhere...but we remain most grateful for your kindness and thoughtfulness in sending us this large collection of videos from many sources in Jerseyville. Thank you from all of "USS" and best wishes to one and all."

"Dear Terese: We very much appreciate the large box of magazines that you so kindly sent to us earlier this month. Those recent publications are very much welcome by our seafaring patrons so we appreciate the thoughtfulness you exhibited in sending them to "USS". A box received here today goes into immediate circulation throughtout our seafaring Center, and very quickly thereafter, throughout the island population. Thank you again for your kindness. It is very much welcome by all of "USS". "

"Good Evening Tracy: Thank you most kindly for the two parcels of used magazines that you took the time to mail to "USS" on the first of this month. I think perhaps they arrived here some time ago, but I was away from this Center for ten days and in my absence the parcels remained unopened. I can report with pleasure that most of the magazines are already in island-wide circulation - the selection was that attractive to our patrons and friends! To google our address, it can be found under the tile "United Seamen's Service" and our HQ's was relocated from WTC One to Brooklyn back in 2001. At that website, you should be able to locate the addresses of all the overseas Centers...this one being the only one in the IO(actually British Indian Ocean Territory). Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and we hope you thoroughly enjoyed Fleet Week in New York earlier this month."

"In the last few months the Patient Library at Lackland AFB, TX has received several boxes of book donations to support the patients at the Wilford Hall Medical Center. The boxes came from Atlanta, GA and Erwin, NC. Our deepest thanks to the kind folks that sent the donations. The patients will truly enjoy the books as they recuperate."

"I have received my paperbacks and wanted to let you know that myself and all of my soldiers really appreciate the work that you are doing. Thank You! "

"Ms. Hirsh, Thank you for the box of books. I especially like “Why Do Men Have Nipples?” I think that we will be able to share the books and everyone will have something interesting to read. Thank you again. "

"I received the books through Operation Paperback you sent to my platoon several days ago. I’ve just returned from a weeklong mission and so I am writing at the first opportunity today. Thank you. I have already given out the books to Soldiers. Their eyes lit like a kid getting his first piece of candy. I visited your website at www.cafenilson.com and my mouth started to water instantly. Again, thank you and those who helped you for all the support you’ve given, not only to my troops, but also to all those who serve. God bless."

"I recently received a package from both Susan H, and the Presbyterian Women at the First Presbyterian Church. They both got here in great condition and were greatly appreciated! They had great selections. We can't thank ya'll more, for taking the time for putting these together for us. It gives our imaginations a much needed escape from here. Thank you!! "

"Hello! We here up in Northern Afghanistan were pleased to get the box of books! We are on a German base, and English reading material can be hard to come by. My workplace has pulled out a number of books, passed others around to other units, and we will leave the extras in the airport here, as there are many passing travelers, stuck sometimes for days, who very much appreciate the reading material. Thank you again! "

"I'd like to thank you very very much for the books I have received! The number of books your organization has sent in such a short amount of time is unbelievable! I have more books now than I could even begin to finish by the end of this deployment. Again, I can't thank you enough for all that your group has done, continues to do, and will do for us as we continue our missions outside of the US."

"I would like to say thank you for all the books we have received here at CLR-15 Supply Company in Afghanistan. The Marines here truly appreciate everyone’s generosity. Again thank you so much! "

"John, Hi, I got your letter today, just wanted to let you know I got the books. I didn't know that there was a letter in the box or I would have emailed when I got them. I've gotten about 10 boxes, people have been awesome, and it helps us out a lot to escape for an hour or so a day. Thanks again! "

"I want to send a thank you to the employees of Bausch and Lomb in Clearwater, Fl. We received your boxes of magazines and books. You guys and gals sure know what our Soldiers like to read. Thank you very much!"

"I want to thank Debbi Subashi for the books she sent. Those were right on target with some of the special request that my Soldiers had. Thank you very much. We appreciate it."

"Just a quick email from Mazar-i Sharif. We received the books, and are so grateful for all your support! We had been woefully lacking any good reading material, so they were both timely and appreciated. Even our NATO partners were appreciative of the reading material, as they don't get the kind of support from home that we are blessed to. Thanks again! We really appreciate your time and care!"

" I am writing to thank you for the books that you sent to my unit. We have received so many books and supportive letters from those back home and I want to send one back thanking you for your support."

"I wanted to send in a thank you for Kathy. She sent me a bunch of books that some of my Soldiers had requested for from a specific author. Unfortunately I don't have her last name since I threw away the box wrapping. I hope she gets my thank you."

"Dear George Kurtis: I received the books through Operation Paperback you sent to my platoon several days ago. I've just returned from a week long mission and so I am writing at the first opportunity today. Thank you. I have already given out the books to Soldiers. Their eyes lit like a kid getting his first piece of candy. Again, thank you and those who helped you for all the support you've given, not only to my troops, but also to all those who serve. God bless and take care."

"I want to send a thanks to Jane Reynolds for the books. They are great and we will definitely enjoy them."

"Just wanted to say I got the books today, thanks a bunch! I got hooked on Mary Higgins Clark prior to the deployment and have steadily been reading them all, there's a bunch in the box I haven't read yet. I'll put the others in our breakroom. Thanks again."

"On behalf of the Marines at CLR-15 SMU, I would like to thank you for the package we received the other day. The books are fantastic! May God bless you always. "

"I want to send a thank you to PL Clark from New York who sent me a book. Thank you very much for your support."

"Just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that I received the books you sent me. Thank you very much, I really appreciate it and have already started giving them out to the other soldiers here. Thank You very much. "

"Thank you to Joyce S. and Operation Paperback for providing me and my unit with the box of books. The titles that Ms. S. shipped are great. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and for the great selection of books. "

"W.F. Killip Elementary School, Mrs. Bernhardt's 6th Grade Students, especially Marliana, William and Irene: I received your donation of gently used paperbacks today. Thank you so much for supporting us downrange here in Afghanistan. These books will be a small respite for many of us who are immersed in daily challenges of trying to bring the Afghans to a level that they can provide for themselves. It will certainly be a boost to our morale. From all of us here at NATO Training Mission Afghanistan, THANK YOU!"

"Thanks to Operation Paperback and to Jan F. from St Charles, MO for sending the box of books. There was a typhoon over the Indian Ocean that disrupted mail service for awhile. I am glad to have received the box and have shared them with all the Marines within my unit by placing them in the unit’s library. Thank you again. "

"Since my last reply, we have received two more boxes of books. Needless to say, my troops are very pleased and have enjoyed looking through the contents and determining which will be their next read. Attached is a picture of my team here at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan. Again, I thank you for all of the support."

"I want to send a thanks to Jay Hart for sending me a box of books. I really appreciate your support and I am able to share all these books with my Soldiers. Thank you for all you do."

"I just wanted to pass a heartfelt thank you for your time and donations. I am a USAF physician in Afghanistan and recently transported a patient to a Spanish hospital in Western Afghanistan. While we were waiting for the plane to gas up I stopped into the lounge and saw a shelf full of books. While perusing the selections, I came across a copy of Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky. Having had nothing but pop culture magazines available at my normal location for a while and exhausted the reading material I brought from home, to find such a classic was a real treat. Many people fret over the things that they cannot change and feel helpless post examination. Finding this little book put a distinct smile on my face. While it may not seem like a big deal to many, I want to say that the comfort of a good piece of literature has made me quite happy and content. Thanks again for your contributions. Even the seemingly little things are appreciated and to be treasured. Best Wishes. "

"I just want you all to know that I am so grateful for this project. Thank you for the books...keep them coming. Always/ Bea"

"I received a box of books this morning. Thank you very much for taking the time to think of us. A special thanks to Selina F. for all the support. I have added the shipment to our little library. The books will be enjoyed during our remaining time and by the incoming replacement. I appreciate your hard work and sacrifice to make our time out here more enjoyable. I greatly appreciate the books you sent. Reading is one of the few ways we have to spend our free time and it helps to relax. Thank you for everything. The support you provide greatly improves morale of the soldiers here and makes every day that much easier. "

"I want to thank you for taking the time to send us some books to read. They will come in handy as we are limited on supplies out here at ******, Afghanistan. Thanks again and it is nice to know that you think of us over here and supply us with needs like books. We read as much as we can out here. Thank you."

"Ms Christensen, I just wanted to take a brief moment to let you know that we received your package yesterday. Thank you from the team here at the ISAF CJ3 Office for your continued support and generosity."

"On behalf of the 266th MCT, I would like to offer our gratitude for the books that we received. I assure you that these books will be put to good use throughout our deployment as well future deployments of incoming soldiers. You all have great operation and we are truly grateful for all the support that is given to the military. "

"Thank you so much for the box of books. I just got them today and can't wait to read and share them with others. Thank you so much!"

"Thank you for the books. I apologize for the lack of notification on my part of the receipt of the books you have sent. I have received all these packages and have shared them through our unit library. I and my Soldiers appreciate your support and thank you very much."

"Hi again. I received a second box as well. Thanks. It's funny how those that never read before will read when they are deployed. It does allow for a mental break we need. "

"Hello and greetings from Iraq. I just received a box of books and would like to take the time out to thank you for the contribution. The books you sent are very much appreciated and will be enjoyed by myself and other soldiers I work with. I enjoy escaping in a good book to help take my mind off reality when I can. Thanks again for your support to the troops. Knowing we have the support of people like you helps us in our day-to-day tasks. Thanks again and God bless."

"I just wanted to pass a heartfelt thank you for your time and donations. I am a USAF physician in Afghanistan and recently transported a patient to a Spanish hospital in Western Afghanistan. While we were waiting for the plane to gas up I stopped into the lounge and saw a shelf full of books. While perusing the selections, I came across a copy of Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky. Having had nothing but pop culture magazines available at my normal location for a while and exhausted the reading material I brought from home, to find such a classic was a real treat. Many people fret over the things that they cannot change and feel helpless post examination. Finding this little book put a distinct smile on my face. While it may not seem like a big deal to many, I want to say that the comfort of a good piece of literature has made me quite happy and content. Thanks again for your contributions. Even the seemingly little things are appreciated and to be treasured."

"I want to thank everyone who has sent books to me. I appreciate it so much. I absolutely love to read. I have been giving the books to others to enjoy as well and I know they are thankful also. So to Richard (and all the library volunteers), Selina, Don, Judy, Armin and Suzanne Thank you so very much."

"Thank you for responding. As a matter of fact I did get a package the other day from Selina F. On behalf of the Marines at CLR-15, I would like to say thank you so much for your generosity. It was greatly appreciated."

"I wanted to let you know that we received your package through Operation Paperback today, shortly after we conducted our Memorial Day observation. Please know that your time, support and generosity is greatly appreciated. The parcel has been placed on our 'common table' for all to be able to use. We further thank you for the service of your son and niece's husband. I hope this message finds you well and thanks again for your support. "

"Mr. Tarpey, I received the books you sent in the mail today. It only took a week to get here. We finally got our own ZIP code here, and things are making it to us much more quickly. In the past, things had to pass through a central hub, and we wouldn't get mail for anywhere from 2-6 weeks. I'm glad to know that someone with ties to the service is showing support. I am glad to know that your family members deployed and returned home safely already. I have been active duty for 11 years, and believe it or not, this is my first deployment. Boy, it is a heck of a good one, though. We're doing some good things here. I'm doing my best to stay out of harm's way, and am thankful for your prayers and support. My civilian and military "brothers-in-arms," as well as I, all send our thanks to you. The books have moved into the hands of eager readers already. Only a few left out there now. All my best to you and your family! "

"Thank you for the books! It will keep me entertained for a while."

"Dear Mrs. D. Best wishes for all of us on this Memorial Day weekend, made all that much better by being in receipt of the DVD's that you so kindly sent to us on the 7th of this month. That was most thoughtful of you and we are deeply appreciative for the pleasure that will bring our many visitors and guests here at the Seamen's Center. Dead of winter in this part of the world and the weather is cool, cloudy and blustery - just the way we like it on our normally hot and humid tropical island. Your kindness has just made our day that much better and we thank you for your generosity and support. All the very best."

"Dear John, I greatly appreciate the books you sent. My whole company thanks you. Reading is one of the few ways we have to spend our free time and it helps to relax. I will send a letter or post card very soon but wanted to let you know that the shipment arrived. Thank you for everything. The support you provide greatly improves morale of the soldiers here and makes every day that much easier. "

"Dear Ms. Baker: It was a real pleasure to receive the large box of magazines that you so kindly sent our way on the 14th of this month. The selection of magazines was just excellent and I have no doubt that our seafaring patrons will appreciate both the variety and quality of the publications. We take real pleasure in placing them on display for our patrons daily reading pleasure. Just a small aside, being a Boston native myself, I recall So. Weymouth as being the home of former WBZ weatherman Don Kent who recently passed away. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kent when I was just a wee lad and often heard him mention your town in the course of his 7 A.M. Morning Almanac telecasts on Channel Four with Jack Chase. Thanks for bringing back some great memories of a real memorable man. "

"I have just received your package of books and I want to thank you and the rest of the volunteers for the support. We are attempting to establish a sort of library out here and your books were not only greatly appreciated, but quickly taken by the many Marines in my unit to read. The Marines were extremely excited to see your package as it has been one of the first ones we have received. We appreciate the support, especially during this time of war, many young men and women in the military tend to feel forgotten and your package showed them that there are individuals back home that think about us and care about the morale of the troops. Again, thank you very much. You may never truly understand how much a few books will change the mood of so many individuals. From the deepest part of my heart and on behalf of all the Marines of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, thank you again. "

"Thank you all so much for the books! Of course I couldn't possibly read them all. But I always find a few in each box to give me that little escape time that is needed. Operation Paperback is a fantastic program that we all appreciate so much. The books I don't read go to our bookshelves here in our compound. There are many troops who are stuck here for many, many hours waiting to move on. These books help them to pass the time here and for the rest of their journey. So, for them, I thank you as well. "

"Please inform Selina F. that the box of paperbacks were received by the United\r\nSeamen\'s Service. The paperbacks will be distributed in accordance with the Operation Paperback mission of U.S. Troop Support.\r\n \r\nAgain than you for the shipment of paperbacks.- \"you do good work Selina\".\r\nKindest regards.\r\n"

"Just writing to let you know that I have received a box of books and goodies from Ms. Corbett. I was really surprised that it came so quickly. I thank you all so much for thinking about us as we are here away from our loved ones. I hope you have a wonderful Memorial day. God Bless you all for what you do for us."

"Selina, Thanks for your books - I finally got to finish "For Whom the Bell Tolls" - and the rest went into our unit MWR for other Soldiers. Deployments are great opportunities to get back into reading and I've charged my Soldiers to read at least every other day, instead of sitting in front of the TV or playing xbox. I'm a company commander for an Aviation Maintenance Company here in ****, Iraq. Our unit is stationed out of Fort Riley, Kansas and we've been here since March 2010. Our unit is responsible for the major tear-down maintenance for the helicopters assigned to our Aviation Brigade. Our unit has over 300 Soldiers. I'm a father of a two year old son - ******* - who lives back in Kansas with my wife, ******. I've been deployed for 9 months out of his first 24, but what we're doing out here is important to keep him safe - both now and in the future. I went to an aviation university - the BEST in my opinion :-) - down in Daytona Beach Florida, and got a BS in Aeronautical Science. I've been flying since I was 16. I worked to save up the money to get my Pilots License while I was in High School. I've been flying for over half my life now. I love flying - it is a sensation that is indescribable. Thanks again for the books - your graciousness and words of thanks are greatly appreciated. While we usually feel a little awkward when people tell us thanks - we truly appreciate it. We are just humble Soldiers who believe - The Greatest Responsibility of a Free-Born Society is to Ensure the Same Freedom for their Children Enjoy the freedom we fight to protect, that is all we ask in return."

"Greetings from Busan, South Korea... Selina...this is to confirm that the box of books sent to th United Seamen's Service Busan, has been received. I'm the Director for USS Centers in Korea, Japan/Okinawa and Guam. We have been working to increase the number of books to better serve our merchant seafarers and U.S. military personnel. Both personally and professionally, I thank you for the support. I am glad Operation Paperback exists. Such things didn't happen when I served my 23 years, including those in Vietnam. Keep up the good work."

"I received 4 boxes of books today. Thank you very much for organizing such a great non-profit organization that provides a great service to the troops. We love the books and are enjoy spending our free time with them. We have a unit library that is pretty well stocked with great paperbacks, thanks to your efforts. I wrote to 2 of the people already. The other 2 people that sent books are: Tillie N from the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, MI Sharon S from Lubbock, TX Thanks again. "

"Thank you all for the boxes of books. Thank you Sherry H. from the Community Coalition of Little River. We are thankful for your gracious donation of books. Our unit has a library tent that is getting well stocked with great books thanks to all of your hard work and effort. Thanks again. "

"Thank you all for the boxes of books. Thank you Ms. Heilman for spending your time, money, and effort in mailing the great books to the troops here. We have a library tent that is getting well stocked with great books thanks to all of your hard work and effort. Thanks again. "

"To Selina F. and the rest of the member of Operation Paperback, Today, we received a box of books from the folks at Operation Paperback. The box arrived safely and there's really more in there then I thought possible. I just wanted to say that on behalf of myself, and my unit, I would like to thank you for all the support and appreciation you have shown to us. Keep up the good work! "

"Dear Eleanor D. and the volunteers at Operation Paperback, Thank you for shipment of books, they are greatly appreciated. Today’s shipment went down to the flight area where service members fly in and out of. The flights to and from Afghanistan are very lengthy and require long periods of waiting, hours sometimes days. Your contribution of reading materials help to pass the time and provide a comfort of home. Thanks again for your continued support. "

"I got a note from Operation Paperback that you were the party that sent me the Civil War magazines and books. I wanted to say thank you. I am a retired DoD teacher here in Stuttgart Germany. A large number of troops from here were deployed to Iraq and had wanted military magazines like Civil War Times. I got emails from a couple of the guys we sent them to with sincere thanks, they said by the time the magazines made the rounds of all who wanted to read them they were nearly wore out and that guys who had limited knowledge of the Civil War or previous interest in history were the ones that seemed to enjoy them the most! I retired last year and my wife will at the end of this school year after some 20 years of teaching overseas with the military in Panama and Germany. About seven years ago, I got involved with Operation Paperback as a school project and just continued on my own this last year. With latest shipment we have sent nearly 1,900 paperback books down range. When I got a request for military magazines I was able to come up with about 20 copies from the base and thought it would be a request I couldn't fill and like magic your books showed up. All of the magazines I shipped down range to several units and know that each magazine was read by at least five to 10 soldiers or more! So you have provided not only a lot of reading pleasure but may have helped spark a greater interest in history in a lot of troops. You also sent a a couple of hardbound editions of the magazine which are hard for troops to lug around so rather than send them down range I donated them to the military library on base to suppliment their rather limited Civil War section and they are now being enjoyed by troops and their families here in Germany. I hope this will be OK with you. Again thank you and I do apologize for losing your name and address and not having written immediately to you as I had planned. Again thank you for your reponse to my appeal and thank all those helping with Operation Paperback in the York, PA, the troops really appreciate your time and efforts. Can I suggest something, if you contact the local elementary school, the teachers will often have kids write letters or drawings to send to the troops I thought of them only as filler when I sent books down range until I got several emails and letters from troops saying how the drawings were posted in mess halls and bulletin boards and one wrote that he found 30 letters in the box of books and as a treat to himself read one letter a day and how each day the letters made his day! It is a great project for schools to take part in, either as providing letters and pictures or as my elementary school did, collecting and doing the work of sending books down range. Once again on behalf of a lot of troops thank you! "

"I wish to thank everyone that has sent me books. I really appreciate the time and effort that everyone took to send me them. However, please do no send any more. Even after donating some to the MWR, I still have more than I will be able to read before I head for home. Thank you all for your support. SPC Daniel Mills"

"Hello, I received a package today from Laura D. of Herndon, VA. The contents were absolutely perfect. There were so many choices for me, and I was able to share the rest of the books with others at my camp. We are truly grateful for your support. We all arrive with very minimal personal items. Our bags are chock full of military gear--there's barely room for anything of our own. Your thoughtfulness and time get us the materials we need to take our mind off reality --for a short while --within such a stressful environment. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts. We truly appreciate what you have done for us! "

"Good Morning Caroline, and Happy National Maritime Day (the 78th observation): Your large box of magazines mailed from New York on May 4th was a most welcome addition to the magazine selection that we offer our patrons at all times. I thought it to be an excellent choice of publications and I anticipate they will all be in island-wide circulation shortly. We much appreciated the literary support and for taking the time to think about "USS". Best wishes on this, the mariner's premier holiday observation: National Maritime Day."

"Thank you for the shipment of excellent books. I just received them from Dan and Shirley A. They will provide a great source of entertainment. "

" I am emailing to let you know I received your box of books this week for operation paperback. I want to say thank you for all the books. I will make sure to share them with the people in my unit and fellow troops who come through our customs area. Thanks, again for your commitment to our troops and for helping to brighten up the day for everyone serving. "

"I would like to thank you for the books which were sent. They are greatly appreciated and we hope to get more soon. Again thank you!"

"This totally made my day! Thanks to you guys for organizing this :) "

"Hi, just wanted to drop a quick line that I got the books, thanks! "

"I just wanted to say thank you. It has been a long year here in Iraq, but it is almost over. I cannot tell you how much all the books you send is appreciated by all of the service members over here. Everyone who support operation paperback and those who run it are all heroes behind the scene. You are all willing to step up and make things a little better."

"I have received the shipment of paperbacks from the Friends of the John F. Germany Public Library of Tampa, FL. Again, we thank the generous support of everyone that has sent us these books and others. Thanks again."

"I would like to thank Margaret W. for sending books to me and my troops through your organization. Please let her know that I also want to thank Krystal, Hanna, Drew, Mike, Clayton, Whitney, Austin, Katelyn and Brenen for signing the flyer. I hope all is well on their end of the world and once again, thanks for the books."

"I'm currently deployed over to Kuwait now.. 10 months now..I'm a civilian and have read many a book provided by Operation Paperback. Appreciate what you folks are doing for both the troops and civilians. Thanks "

"Once again, a large supply of donated books came by USPS today. Thank you so much! We are all in great appreciation for everyone's generosity."

"My name is Lt. Jeremy J. I'm an Engineer Officer serving in Southern Afghanistan. I got your email off the back of a book you donated to the Operation Paperback Program. I read and enjoyed it, and just wanted to thank you for your generosity. I'm not sure how often this happens, but I wanted you to know that your contribution did help Soldiers deployed to keep entertained and morale high. And I appreciate your act, especially since you probably assumed it'd go unthanked, and you didn't need confirmation to do good for others. So I wanted to thank you. "

"I appreciate all the volunteers that sent books to me and my company. Thank you for all your support!! We will be leaving earlier then expected, You can discontinue sending us books."

"Once again, Good Morning Ms. Perry: Thank you again for the second box of books, magazines and a DVD mailed on April 22, 2010 and received here just yesterday. It was just an excellent selection and much of the contents are already in circulation among our many visitors to the Center. We thank you for your continuing thoughtfulness and generosity and deeply appreciate what your are doing for "USS". All best wishes from the staff and seafarers at the United Seamen's Service Center."

"Good Evening Mr. Gibson; We found time this quiet Sunday afternoon to open the second box of books that you so kindly sent to "USS": back on April 26th and are deeply grateful for your generosity. We frequently make it a point to do ship visits in this port community and tomorrow afternoon we will be transporting this newest box of books to the shuttle service staging area where they will determine which ship receives the library at this point in time. From the looks of the varied contents, they will be most pleased to receive this new supply. Thank you again for your generosity and all the very best from "USS". "

"Good Afternoon Mr. Gibson: Thank you most kindly for that heavy box of 35 books that you so kindly mailed to USSDG on the 23rd of last month. These books will find a wide audience among our visitors and I would expect they won't be here for very long. We have alot more visitors of late and the books and magazines that we receive from Operation Paperback are proving to be very popular with many, if not most of them. Thank you again for the thoughtful donation. It was, and is, much appreciated. "

"Just wanted to let you know that I selected one of your books from the \"open library\" here at New Kabul Compound (NKC) in Afghanistan. I very\r\nmuch appreciate your donation and to let you know that your generosity is still being enjoyed. \r\n\r\nI will return the book to the library once finished. \r\n\r\n"

"Thank you so much for taking the time to send our soldiers books as part of Operation Paperback. We are a unit with about 115 troops that work on Bagram (sp) Airfield. Your support means a lot and helps boost morale by giving soldiers something to do on their off time. Thanks again and God Bless. "

"Dear Martin and Cleo: Mon, that was a BIG magazine box!!! I had to use a handtruck to move it - it goes without saying thank you very much for the large box of magazines that you sent to us here at Diego Garcia on the 21st of last month. We were very pleased to have the donation arrive earlier this week, and when an Air Force plane got delayed here for repairs yesterday, about half the magzines disappeared out the door with them after they finished their lunch here today. Those magazines have now gone into high altitude, world-wide circulation! We thank you most kindly for the generous and thoughtful donation...much appreciated by many here on Diego Garcia."

"Dear Sandy: Very much wanted to write and thank you and the members of the Lutheran Church of St. Andrews in Silver Spring, Maryland for taking the time and making the effort to ship us that large box of magazines back on 19 April which we just received this past week. The United Seamen's Serivce of New York operates a multi-purpose social service center here at Diego Garcia primarily for civilian merchant mariners and active duty military personnel...all of whom seem to appreciate a good read when they drop by this Center seven days a week. We are fortunate to be able to offer this service to our guests and it is because of the kindness and generosity of people like yourselves who make it possible. Thank you kindly ....and Happy Mother's Day, from the Indian Ocean."

"Ms. Perry: Very much wanted to write and thank you for the box of books, magazines and DVD's that you so generously sent our way on the 22nd of last month. It has been greatly appreciated and we thank you for your kindness in remembering us. Just as an aside, while stationed at Quantico, Virginia in late 1969, I used to travel down to Midlothian to visit a college friend of mine I recall Midlothian as a very pleasant place to be and thank you for bringing back some great memories."

"Dear Mrs. Seagle: I very much wanted to write and thank you for the carefully wrapped parcel of magazines and paperback books that you so kindly sent to us out here in the IO on the 30th of last month. It was a very interesting selection of material and we were pleased to be able to offer it to the military personnel and merchant mariners passing through our Center today. It was a very thoughtful gesture and we greatly appreciate the kindness. All the best to you from all of "USS". "

"I have read 28 books in the past 45 days--thanks to Operation Paperback those 45 days have flown by--I'm closer to coming home! THANK YOU!"

"I want to send a thank you to all the people that participated in this operation. We really like these books. "

"Thank you so much for the huge box of books. I have passed the box around the office for everyone to grab a book. You and all those who find these books and then get them to us are awesome. I love to read. I am going through a book a week right now. I read after PT for 20 min., after lunch for 20 min. and before bed an hour every night. This helps escape from the monotony of Iraq. I’m reading “Den of Lions” right now and that sure makes you realize that you never want to be a hostage in the Middle East. Take care and God Bless you and your family"

"I just wanted to write to say thank you to all the people that have sent me books over the last six months. And I would personally thank them but I cant read their hand writing. I am leaving Iraq in the next two or three weeks and would like to remove my name from the mailing list so some other service member can start enjoying some great books. Thank you again for all you do and your support. "

"I would like to thank you for the books you sent our unit. Thank you for your hard work and your support. We love to receive new books, once we finish reading them we donate them to the soldiers library. Thanks to your generosity and hard work, a lot of us soldiers always have a book where we go. "

"Mr. Kimbrell, Thank you very much for sending out the box of books. I received them today and am interested in reading them and also adding them to the unit’s library. Thank you for supporting the troops and giving us something to do during our free time"

" I received a package from one of the supporters. It was full of great books and magazines. I can't express how nice it was. Thank you for your ongoing support. "

"Thanks to Terye B from Scotts Valley, CA for sending a shipment of books to Afghanistan. This is my first shipment of books this deployment. These books are intended to become a part of the unit’s library and also to be available for all service members on this base. Thank you for your support and for providing us something that takes our minds off of the day to day business. "

"Thank you for the box of books and Comics. We have distributed them amongst the Marines here and shared with other Units. We received the box yesterday and it was in great shape. Thank you for the support. "

"Thank you very much for all the Books that you all have sent. I have received four Packages and have been handing the books out to all the soldiers on the FOB."

"I received the box of books from your organization today. Thank you very much for caring enough to take the time to organize a program like this. The books are very much appreciated. I carried the box throughout the squadron handing out books to those who were in before placing those left in our little Morale welfare tent. Everyone was very excited to have a new crop of books to read. Thanks again."

"Thank you all so much for books! We have already built a makeshift library room. It means a lot to get something from back in the States. In the rare occasion I get to watch television, all I see is garbage reality shows, people protesting the war, and political scandals. I’m not going to lie, it discourages me when I see people back home doing that kind of stuff. It is good to know that there are some Americans out there who genuinely care about the troops in harm’s way!I was surprised it only took eight days for your packages to get to me here in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Thanks again! "

"I just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you for the shipment of books that I received today. It is much appreciated by all the Soldiers here with me in Iraq and will provide many hours of relaxation. Thanks again."

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chrissy H and Gary C for the books that were sent to me through your organization. I'm sorry for not responding promptly but I've been a little busy over here. I really like to read and some of my Soldiers are reading the books as well. It does help to pass the time and there's nothing like a good book to help with that. Thank you again and thank you for all the things you do for the troops."

"Thank you for your donation of books. I have received several and your gesture proves to all service members that the American public does care for the men and women in uniform. I have shared the books you sent with my shipmates and also the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and DoD civilians that pass through our location. Please continue to support these fine Americans who are serving our country. "

"Hello All. I just received my Twilight Series shipment and I wanted to thank you. It has been really nice to have the citizens back home support us. U.S. Troops are extremely lucky! Thank you again for your support."

"Today I received a box of books from Operation Paperback and I just wanted to send you an email to Thank You for everything you do for all of us that are deployed. We will definitely enjoy reading the books. Once again we thank you for everything you do for us."

"Can you please let the Church group and Radiology clinic know that I received their books? Thanks"

"Just a note to let you know that I received books today from Alion Science and Technology of Bath MN. Thanks again for your efforts for those of us serving in distant lands! "

"Thank you for sending us these wonderful books. Due to your effort, soldiers on my FOB are able to escape our daily rigors to these adventures, mysteries, comedies, and inspiring true stories. Please keep up the great work, till everyone comes home..."

"Thank you for the books. It is an awesome escape from the rigors of daily tasks. Makes me think that I'm somewhere else for a little bit."

"Dear Ms. Falbo We just received your latest "CARE" package from New York, with a postal mark of March 30th, and wanted to thank you for the contents which are very much appreciated by all of our seafarers, customers and staff. We have three areas within the Seafarer's Center where we put these periodicals on display and thanks to folks like you, we have a very good collection to keep our patrons occupied and "at ease". Thank you for helping to make that possible...it is much appreciated by "USS" all. "

"Dear Ms. Morgan, I have received the care package that your girls put together and thank you very much! My Marines are using everything and the Girl Scout cookies were DELICIOUS! It's definitely what we needed, and I'm already almost done reading one of the books you sent, "True Believer" by Nicholas Sparks, and I'm sure that's one that we'll be passing around, great selection. It really means a lot to us that you all took time to put together that package and send it to us, we often forget that there are people back in the states supporting us and it is truly a great feeling to see that you are all thinking of us as we work another day towards completing our mission and returning safely back to the states. Also I just want to give a shout out to the Girl Scout who helped prepare my box, Angelina. I remember when I was 11 just like it was yesterday, I was also in 6th grade and that's the year I met my very best friend who is still my best friend to this day, this is a big year for you to grow and learn. I also played soccer from the time I was 3 up until I graduated high school at 17, and that is my favorite sport as well! I also LOVE to talk and especially text on my cell phone, I'm going crazy here without it! Again, we really appreciate the time you all took to send us this package. From all of us here at Ammo Company, thank you!"

"Thank you so much for sending the books! We will put them to good use and pass them on to others when we are done with them. Thank you for your support. "

"I just wanted to say thank you so much for such a wonderful donation to my Shipmates and me. The books(and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune)you sent are all quality and interesting reading material. I have passed many out to my Shipmates. I'm currently reading "No Angel" by Jay Dobyns right now. It is relieving to have red-blooded Americans like you supporting the war fighters over here. Typically, time passes slowly over here, but these books will alleviate much of that pain. Again, thank you so much. "

"Just few words to say - THANK YOU- for sending us books. They are very appreciated by our Customers while awaiting for flights. Please forward my best regards to all Personnel involved in this operation. God bless you."

"Dear Mary B: Thank you most kindly for the "Care Package" that arrived in the mail earlier this month. This was the box that you posted on 24 March and contained books, magazines, candy, playing cards and your very nice letter addressed to us. Your gift was much appreciated and all of the contents have been put to good use here at the Seamen's Service Center at Diego Garcia. I apologize for taking so long to respond, we have been a bit busier than usual of late and your package was here in my office for a few days before I found the time to open it. It was all, very, very, much appreciated. Thank you for your kindness and best wishes."

"I received the books on WWII that you sent. Thank you so much. I’m truly fascinated by the past wars and conflicts. The perseverance and sense of obligation is the most fascinating part to me. I love reading about our forefathers and their challenges. It is truly amazing when I compare it to today’s soldier. I understand why the people from that timeframe are known as the greatest generation. It was amazing. I’ve read the Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose and just loved it. When I saw the books by him that you included I was ecstatic. I’m currently reading “We were soldiers and young once.” I can’t wait to finish it to start these. I wish there was something I could do for you other than to say, Thank You! You are great and I totally appreciate what you have done. Thank you very much. "

"Thank you so much for your support. Please remove me from your list as there has been such an amazing outpouring of love that we are out of room for any more books. Our library is packed to the seams with month's worth of reading. Thank you so much for all you do. Your organization and the people who support it are the reason we do what we do. Thanks again."

"I just received a box of John Grisham books from Linda D and want to tell her thank you very much. We will all enjoy them. Thanks"

"I would like to thank Chrissy H as well as Marsha M for the books. I really appreciate them and look forward to more books!"

"I received two more packages of books yesterday from Lyla D and Tillie N. I also received a package of four new books on WWII from Mr. Philip M, the author himself. I am very humbled in your support and want to thank you again. I've written an email to everyone who has provided my one and sent letters to those who have a return address. Those who didn't provide either, I am thanking you here. Your support is truly awesome!!!"

"Dear Kimberly G. Thank you most kindly for the large box of books that you so kindly sent to us on the 26th of last month. Upon inquiring from the ship captains of the American ships anchored here, we decided to send the books to the Military Prepositioning Ship Office(MPS2) here for distribution to the ships in this vicinity. They will be most welcome once they are received aboard the nearby American ships. We very much welcome your generosity and thank you for the size of your considerable donation. It will be well utilized by American merchant mariners guarding US military cargo in this part of the world."

"Just a note to let you know that I received books today from Mustang Engineering of Houston TX and Barbara P. of Plymouth MA. Thanks again for your efforts for those of us serving in distant lands! "

"Dear David and Lee, John & Laura, Christie: Thank you for sending me the paperback books as part of Operation Paperback. Unfortunately, I had left Iraq before your books had reached me. The books had sat in storage until today. I am repackaging all of the books to send the books to Afghanistan for Marines from my unit. Thank you for your continued support of the US military and of the US Marines. We are all thankful of what you do to help bring little entertainment from home while we are deployed. "

"Hello to all my great fellow Americans. Words cannot describe how WE, the troops on the ground, appreciate the things that you all are doing for us in the name of freedom and support. Thank all of you for what you have done and are continuing to do for us. Thank you again for everything and the books have been placed in the MWR and USO facility on my Operating Base here in Afghanistan. The local nationals also benefit from the literature as they are learning English and this helps them too. Thanks Again. "

" I got the books from Kim C. and her class from NY. Thanks a bunch. I'm in the process of reading "The Year 1000"."

"Good Evening Binnie... Thank you most kindly - your most welcome boxes (4) of books arrived earlier this week, but we have been so busy on the March reports that there was no time to open them and put the books on display. In opening one of the boxes, I noticed the envelope I had been looking for with your short stories...looks very interesting, but I am without the time to read any of them until next week. I can tell though, that there are others who I know will find them equally interesting so I will move them on as I read them. Thank you for sharing, Binnie....it looks to be a very interesting read, and thanks too for the many paperback books. A good selection - as always. "

"Thank You so much for the boxes of books you have sent me, I have them all in a shelf for everyone to pick from and you have sent many books that interested everyone of them even the ones that never used to read before. My unit and myself thank you all so much. May God Bless you all "

"I would like to say thank you so much to the people who sent books out here for me and my fellow Marines. Your support means so much to us, and the handwritten notes in the packages really meant a lot as well. It is hard for us to get our hands on a good book out here, and it is so nice to see that others are thinking of us!"

"My name is Hector M, an active duty Marine serving in Afghanistan. I recently received a box of books from you through Operation Paperback. I just wanted to send you a short e-mail thanking you for the books you provided for us, and mainly for the support your program shows us troops deployed in combat zones. I was once told by a Vietnam Veteran that one thing that helped troops overseas get away from the combat mindset and everything going on around them was reading. I’ve remembered that since the day he told me, and I can tell you, thanks to you and what you are doing, the Marines of my Company and I feel share that opinion. Once again, thank you for everything you do. We are here fighting the fight, trying to keep America safe. We’ll join you back home soon. Thank you. "

"I just wanted to send a HUGE thanks for all the books we are receiving. I just recently recvd a box from John and Denise M. and wanted to say thanks so much from the Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan ER staff "

"Thank you for the shipments of books. They have been received and have improved the reading library here dramatically. Thank you for your time, support and commitment. It is appreciated. "

"I want to thank you for the books I have received. I was shocked when I received two big boxes in the mail today. I wish there was another way for me to show my gratitude other than to say thank you. "

"Suzanne, Thank you for the books you sent through operation paperback. I never expected to receive so many. I am able to share all these books with my fellow soldiers who work in the Division HQ with me. You and your peers at Operation Paperback are such wonderful people who make a difference in the life of myself and our soldiers. I wish there is more to do other than say thanks. "

"THANK YOU FOR THE BOOKS. ME AND MY BUDDIES ARE ENJOYING THEM!! AND THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!!! "

"Thank you for your continued support of troops all around the world and those that are stateside continually working for homeland defense. In many remote places there are troops that have just a few minutes to calm their minds and do something other than worry about the fight. In many cases those soldiers are taking time to read the books that are sent from great Americans such as yourself and it is greatly appreciated. Thank you again so much and I pray that we can continue to meet the expectations of our Commander in Chief and loyal Americans everywhere. "

"On behalf of the SEVENTH Fleet staff and Marines onboard the USS Blue Ridge, thank you very much! I was able to give everyone a little something and smile in return."

"I just wanted to give a final thank you for all you have done and the wonderful volunteers that have sent books to me to distribute for the troops. I have been humbled by the huge amount of books, good wishes and cards that were sent with the packages. I am leaving in 30 days so will not be receiving any more letters or boxes. I will return home and after the debriefing will return to my civilian job. I have been enriched by the loving support that your organization gave to me. Thank you so much!! Best Wishes to all. "

"Dear Virginia: Holiday greetings and I hope this has been a most pleasant Easter observation for you. Yesterday, we had the good fortune to receive the large box of books that you most kindly sent to us and I put them on display in our library earlier today for the use of seafaring and military patrons. I am of the impression that this collection of books is something that would appeal to our customers so I anticipate that they will disappear quite quickly... which is to say that they will be put to the use that they were intended. We thank you for your kindness and generosity and much appreciate your taking the initiative to send this collection of both hard and soft cover books to "USS". "

"Thank you so much for what you do. I have has just a grand time reading the books that have been sent. I read the books and then pass them along to another. You are doing a awesome thing for so many. "

"You guys and gals are awesome. I sent a request in while on leave and I have now received 3 BIG box's of books. I thought I would receive a couple of books and now I have so many that I am able to share with all the other soldiers I work with. I am humbled by your generosity and support. I wish there was more to do for you other than a thank you. Sincerely, Jason"

"Kathy R. and Bookies Paperbacks - Books received. Thank you for your support!"

"Helen M., Thank you for the books and for the support!"

"Expressions Literary Magazine: Thank you for the books and for your support! "

"John and Laura K., Thank you very much for the package. It's helped to pass the time for the whole section! "

"Dianne K., Thank you for the books and for your support! "

"Bertha H., Thank you for the books and the support! "

"PostNet and HIBBETT Scottsdale AZ: Thank you for the books and for the support! "

"JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU!!! FOR THE BOOKS!!! WE ARE ENJOYING THE GIFTS... OUR LEADERSHIP IS ALWAYS TELLS US, "WE ARE DOING GREAT THINGS FOR OUR COUNTRY". OPERATION PAPERBACK IS DOING GREAT THINGS FOR OUR TROOPS!! THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!!!!"

"Dear Christy F, Sue H, Kyle G, John T, and D.A. Roberts, thank you for the shipments of books. They are greatly appreciated by myself and my soldiers. The support and thoughtfulness that comes with these books is both heartwarming and appreciated. Not only have we ourselves been able to enjoy these books, but due to the sheer quantity, we have slowly been able to build a veritable library at our new MWR, allowing many more troops access to the books you have sent. So on behalf of myself and all the U.S. Soldiers on my base, thank you."

"Dear Ma'am/Sir's, I and my soldiers very much appreciated the books we received from various donors. I can't say enough good things about what you guys are doing, because it truly makes a difference, not only from the tangible aspect of receiving the books themselves, but from the knowledge that we are in your thoughts and prayers back home. With much appreciation. "

"Just a quick note to let you know that I received books from Kyle G. from Erwin, NC and Tillie N. from Royal Oak, MI. Thanks again for shipping these books to the troops out here. Both the troops and the local USO benefits! "

"This is a note of thanks for all of the time and energy it took to give us a little something to read here in Kosovo. The books have been added to the meager MWR library had on hand. Everyone waits eagerly for the boxes to be open to see what you have sent. Thanks again from all the US troops @ ***, Kosovo. Several other personnel have joined Operation Paperback and we have more than we can handle."

"I just wanted to send a quick message thanking you for the books I received today. Also, everyone on the COP sends their thanks as well. "

"Thank you so much for the box of books, we will make good use of them and pass them on to others when we are finished with them. Thank you for your support. "

"I received your package and will be glad to hand them out to the Marines here in Kandahar Afghanistan. We appreciate your support. The books are a great way to pass the time here. Thank you and God bless. "

"I received your box of books today! They are great. I can’t wait to start reading them. Thank you so much for your support and prayers. People like you make this place bearable. "

"Julie, I received the box of cookies, books and other goods from you and the girl scouts. Thank you so much. I responded to Gabby and mailed the letter to the address you gave me on the sheet. It's great to know that there is so much support coming from all ages. Again thank you so much and I look forward to writing you all again, it really helps keep me occupied, and looking forward to coming home. "

" Very much wanted to write and thank you for the four boxes of used magazines that you so kindly sent us on the 16th of this month. They arrived here just this morning and we already have one of the four boxes on display on our many magazine racks about this Center. The selection was excellent and should prove very popular with the men and women of the US Armed Forces and the Merchant Marine that give this place "the business". It was very generous of you to send so much and we are most grateful. Just as a side note, I originally hail from Sturbridge, Massachusetts and knew WBZ weatheman Don Kent who I seem to recall was also from South Weymouth. Thank you again from all of "USS"."

"To all who sent packages: Thank you so much for your support. I received 7 packages today. Most were books and one was a care package. I wrote down the contact info and wanted to send a great big thank you to everyone who contributed. It is nice to be able to lose myself in a book on occasion and try to forget about this place for a few minutes each day. You have made this deployment a little bit easier on not only myself but any other soldier who goes to the library we are building to get a little break. Thanks so much again for your support. People like you are the reason we are willing to do what we do. "

"Dear Friends: Our deepest thanks for an incredible effort - 4 boxes of paperback books arrived here yesterday and though we have only had time to open a single box, we are deeply impressed with your generosity and thoughtfulness. Diego Garcia has an island-wide population of about 3,000 people so we will insure that these four boxes are equally distributed about the island community. This really was a superhuman effort and we are most grateful for the kindness. With all best wishes from the military and maritime communities here in the British Indian Ocean Territory."

"Thanks for the books and the support. Your efforts on our behalf are appreciated."

"THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN MY UNIT WHILE WE HAVE BEEN HERE!!! The Soldiers here really appreciate the books, magazines and comic books you have been sending, because we do not have PX on our FOB so our CH EX is the only source of supplies for them. AGAIN THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US!!!"

"Dear Ms. Barnes: First off - Happy St. Patrick's Day! For those of us with "Irish connections"(however tenuous), this a day for celebration. My adopted son was born 13 years ago today, and goes by the name Patrick, so it is a day I/we celebrate before most others. I hope you have a good reason to celebrate as well, and we here at DG celebrate your kindness and thoughtfulness in sending us such an amazing collection of magazines. The box that you shipped on March 4th arrived here in the middle of the Indian Ocean just yesterday and are already on display for the use of seamen and women who utilize this venue on a daily basis(we are open every day of the year...our staff wouldn't have it any other way). It was an excellent selection and the seafarers will be well pleased and grateful for your donation. Your generosity is deeply appreciated."

"Dear Ms. Portell: Thank you, most kindly, for the magazines that you posted to this Indian Ocean Seafarer's Center on the 27th of last month. It was a great selection that will be very much appreciated by those civilian seafarers and military personnel who utilize this Center on a daily basis. It was very thoughtful of you to remember "USS" and we thank you for your generosity and consideration. All best wishes from all of "USS". "

" Dear Ms. England: Greetings once again from Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory. On behalf of the merchant seafarers and military personnel who currently call this small island "home", I very much wanted to write and thank you for the second(2) large box of magazines and books that NWR recently shipped to "USS" and which arrived here just yesterday!. The selection was contemporary and an excellent choice for our island population. The magazines have once again been located at several locations throughout this "seafarer's service center" and our daily visitors will be well pleased with this addition to our reading library. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity, it was without a doubt the largest, heaviest box of books and magazines that I have ever received from OP. Kindly extend our best regards to the employees of Northwest Radiology Network with our thanks for their exceptional kindness. "

"Dear Ms. Gane: I very much wanted to write and thank you for the recent mailing of 5 DVD's which you sent us February 26, and which arrived here just yesterday. The "Seamen's Service Center" recently spent a large sum of money(not while I was here!) on a large video viewing screen and I am absolutely certain that many of our American seafaring visitors will enjoy watching the videos that you so kindly and generously sent to "USS". DG is a "hardship posting" for my of our Center patrons, so a gift like this is very much appreciated by one and all during their off-duty hours here at the Seafarers Center. Our deepest thanks for your kindness and generosity. With all best wishes from the Director and staff of the United Seamen's Service Center at Diego Garcia,"

"Hello Karen, So I received your care package and letter about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I want to start off by telling you thank you very much. I apologize for not writing you sooner, but the past few weeks have been very hectic in the Sandbox (Iraq). With the elections going on, it pretty much seem like non-stop patrols and action. Myself and fellow platoon members did enjoy the care package you sent out. And thank you for the books, food, and magazines that you mailed as well. That was all very thoughtful of you. "

"Dear John, rnThank you very much for the books, it means a lot to all of us here inrnAfghanistan. I share the books with everyone who enjoys to read. Well, in this case everyone likes to read. It makes time fly by with a good book. Again, thank you for your time and your prayers. God bless u and yourrnfamily.rn"

"Thank you so much for the books! They made my day! I got great books like “Kite Runner”, “Wicked” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”. It made me smile from ear to ear and put my Sgt in utter jealousy. I later told him they where for everyone and he rejoiced in happiness. Thank you operation paperback, we love you. "

"Mr. Tarpey, I received the books. Thank you very much for your support. Me and my battle buddies will definitely enjoy these books. It is really nice to know that our fellow citizens care about our welfare. Thanks again and God bless you and your family. "

"Good Morning Binnie: Great to hear from you again and our usual "thank you' for the two boxes of paperback books that you so generously sent to us late last month. The books are already in our library and will be greatly appreciated by those who briefly call this small island community home. The Seamen's Center provides social and recreational services to merchant seamen and women, US military personnel, DOD contractors, and Filipino nationals every day of the year, so we are deeply grateful for the support that we derive from people like you. Thank you again, and all the best from all of "USS". "

"My apologies for not contacting you sooner, to be honest I have just been lazy over the past 3 weeks or so about my correspondence. I have received 3 shipments since last I was in contact with you. I would like to thank the people who have sent books so far. They have done a great deal to improve morale over here in Iraq. "

"To all the wonderful folks at Operation Paperback, First of all I just want to say thank you very much for your support and for all the wonderful books that were sent. It is greatly appreciated. Some folks I was able to correspond directly with and that was wonderful. I want to specifically thank Mr. Kern of Califon, NJ, Mr Wickstrand of Vero Beach, FL, Ms. Loscalzo of South Gate, CA and Ms. Mack of West Orange, NJ, and The AHRC Suffolk of Ronkonkoma, NY. If there is anyone I forgot to name, I apologize. I still very much appreciate the books and the support. Alas, it seems my time in Iraq may be drawing to an earlier close than I expected. So, unfortunately I am going to have to take my name off the list. Once again, I want to say thank you so very much for all the support. "

"I wanted to extend my deepest gratitude for the books I have received. It feels great to know that patriotic Americans like you and those in your organization care about us out "here". My time here consists of long days and nights, but the books I receive are a welcome escape from the realities of being deployed. What little time I do have off, gives me the opportunity delve into some far off land or read about the history of a culture I have yet to experience. It's nice to know people out there still care. Thank you so very much..... "

"I would just like to say that I am getting my books and thank you very much for them. It is kind of hard for me to get to a computer sometimes or I would have written sooner. Once again I am getting my books and thank you. "

"I would like to say thank you to Selina for sending me the books. They will definitely help me get through the slow times over here. Thank you very much!"

"Sue S. and Friends: Thank you for the books and for your support!"

"Lee S.: Thank you for the books and for your support!"

"Thank you for all the books. It has helped pass the time and provide quality entertainment. In a world where the news media and pundits disparage our efforts on the front lines the care packages and notes help to lift our spirits and know that we have your support."

"Dear Ms. England: Greetings from Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory. On behalf of the merchant seafarers and military personnel who currently call this small island "home", I very much wanted to write and thank you for the large box of magazines that NWR recently shipped to "USS" and which arrived here earlier this week. The selection was contemporary and an excellent choice for our island population. The magazines have been located at several locations throughout this "seafarer's service center" and our daily visitors will be well pleased with this addition to our reading library. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity, it is very much appreciated by all of us working here. Kindly extend our best regards to the employees of Northwest Radiology Network with our thanks for the kindness."

"Thank you for sending many books from different supports. It was so helpful for us to serve many soldiers to read the books at MWR. It is time to go back home. Please, don't send us any more books. I appreciate your efforts. May God bless you."

"Hi, Just wanted to say thanks!! Spoke to my husband today, and he told me that he had received a box of books today. Passed them around to others in his company. Thanks Again. "

"I am just writing to let you know that I recently received a shipment of books. I would like to thank you for your support of not only myself, but of all service members everywhere. I am sure that I will get many hours of enjoyment from the reading material that you have provided, and when I am done I will be passing these books on to my fellow service members. Please know that your support of all of us makes our job much more rewarding and lets us know that we do have the support of the American people. Thanks again I look forward to hearing from you again. "

"Thanks for all the books your volunteers have sent. They were enjoyed by the entire unit and some other units as well. But now I must ask to removed from the mailing list. We are almost done. Thanks again. "

"Thank you very much. I did receive a box of books and can't wait to find some extra moments in my day that I might be able to read. Good thing is I have almost a year to go so I hopefully will be able to get through them by then. Again thank you."

"Thank you very much, I appreciate everything you are doing.. I got your box of books and shared them with every one here. God bless you as well, and thank you for your prayers"

"Many thanks to the gang at Operation Paperback for the wonderful support this tour. All of these books have been a wonderful way to pass the time here. We'll be out of here in a few weeks, but I will always be thankful for your support!"

"Thanks for the books, I'm off to re-read Beowulf; the other books are going into our US library. Thanks again."

"Selina F, I want to thank you and Operation Paperback for your support. The books I received are amazing. My soldiers and I will surely enjoy reading these books for months to come. I appreciate the kind message you sent in the package. I hope to hear from you guys in the near future. Take care. "

"Operation Paperback, Thank you for your support. I received your wonderful box full of books. The soldiers in my unit and I greatly appreciate it. The books allow us to escape the reality of what is going on around us. It brought smiles to our faces knowing that people at home are thinking of us. "

"HI there I just wanted to send ya a quick note to say thanks for the box of books. Our library in the hospital is growing and it's nice not to have only romance novels!!! Thanks for thinking of us! "

"I recently received my first shipment of books here at ****** Afghanistan. I just wanted to thank you for the support and be assured that the books are being put to good use! Thanks again."

"I just got some books from you guys and wanted to say thanks. I brought them up to all my people and look forward to receiving more books. Thank you."

"Hello there. Just thought I would let you know that I received a box of books today from Pamela G from Charlottesville, VA. On behalf of the troops at Sather AB Iraq, I say thank you for your generosity! As a reminder, please use 30 April 2010 as the cut off for sending books to me. Thanks again. "

"I received more books, from Nancy C., BookEnds, and Dianne in Denver. WOW this is a lot of books! I also left a note on the webpage for some of the others we received. We had to clear off another shelf in the library for all the books we have received. Thanks so much! I think we have enough books to get us through the next two years!"

"I want to thank the people who sent me the box of magazines. They were very much appreciated. My Soldiers are looking forward to receiving more. They were a big hit! Thanks again! "

"I wanted to take the time and thank Marisa F for her recent gift of reading material, especially all the Jayne Anne Krentz books. I have plenty to keep me occupied until I return from deployment. Thanks for your generosity, it was more than I ever expected! God Bless. "

"Thanks for the support through books. I have been receiving on average a box a day of books. It's been great. I have received numerous books about American history as requested. I have biographies of founding founders, accounts of the constitutional convention, the war against the British empire, etc. I have received magazines and a book about the Yankees - the best sports club in the world. I need to halt my requests for now because I have no more room to store my books. I started to store them in our common area in the computer room here on base. There is no more room there, either. My NCOs have asked long ago to stop receiving books. The shelves are full. "they keep on coming," I told them. I have tried to reply to some people I received boxes from because some of them sent me their e-mail. I have not replied to all of them because the time allowed us on the computer here doesn't allow me. It's a lot of people. I wanted you guys to thank them for me if possible. I have reading for a very long time. I can't thank you enough for what you do for us. Receiving a box and a note inside motivates me everyday on my job. It reminds us of how good our people are and that we can do a lot of good in the world. It keeps me focused on why I am here. Thank you."

"I wanted to send out a Big Thank You to Renee B. and Kathy F. as well as any other volunteer that helped send books to Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan. Operating without internet or television has made avid readers of the uninterested. I really appreciate the choice of genres and authors. To get, what I consider to be the best offerings of, both Grisham and King, makes it easy to appeal to the initiated. Thank You."

"I want to give you all another big "THANK YOU" for sending all the books to me at Sather AB, Iraq. I have received books from Ms. Rucker from Tampa FL, a box from Lorain, OH and one from the Malaga Cove Library in Palos Verdes, CA. My fellow Airmen and I are enjoying the books. What's left over I give to the USO at the passenger terminal here at the base. We have many Army folks who enjoy them there. Thanks again. "

"I’m writing to let you know I received three (!) shipments of books. One from Sharon S, one from Gene R and Pat F and one from Sue H. I’m not sure exactly when they arrived though as I’ve been traveling in country for the last two weeks (during which several books from the last shipment kept me company during long hours spent waiting for transportation). Thank you so much for donating your time to supporting us out here. It means a lot to us. My office is eagerly divvying up the books as I type this. Thank you again. "

"Binnie, I just wanted to say thank you for sending me the box of books. I really appreciate it. I had so many I had to give some of them away. I am good now until the end of deployment. Thank you for your thoughtful gift, I am grateful. "

"To Lydia T, Selina F, Virginia G, Don & Dianne W, Tillie N, Paula M. and Judith T: Thank you all so much for your donations! Our ship's library is literally overflowing! I am going to share some of your donations with other ships in the fleet. I have stashed a few titles away for my own reading list--and that is about 10 books high right now! I guess I had better get to it! Thank you all so much for your support--it really means a lot to us! "

"Dear Mr. Armstrong and the Volunteers of Operation Paperback, I would like to take a moment to personally thank you on behalf of my entire Company for this box of books. They were a big hit, many of them disappearing before they could even make it to our communal book shelf. Please know that these novels, as well as your enduring thoughts and prayers, never go unappreciated. Thank you, and God Bless."

"Hello Very much wanted to write and thank you for the large box of current magazines that you so kindly sent our way last month. The variety of the selections will be very popular with our patrons and military friends and we deeply appreciate the time, effort and expense you went to in order to mail these to "USS." We are most grateful and thank you for your thoughtfulness and remembering us here in the BIOT. "

"Hello My name is Tsgt Lyndsey L. I am a medic in the ER at Bagram Air Field Afghanistan. I just received a terrific shipment of paperbacks from Selina today to add to our library. It's nice get books to keep us occupied and our minds off of other things. We are so thankful for all the people who think about us and care to send us books! Thanks again."

"I want to give you all a big "THANK YOU" for sending all the books to me at Sather AB, Iraq. I have received books from Dunstable, MA; Newville, PA; and Michigan I believe. My fellow Airmen and I are enjoying the books. What's left over I give to the USO at the passenger terminal here at the base. We have many Army folks who enjoy them there. Thanks again. "

"I just got my shipment of paperbacks from you. Thank you so much! I've already read Trojan Women and am starting in on the Sci-fi."

"The Kellar Family, Sue H, and Richard M, Thank you so much for the generous donation of paperback books that you sent for me to share. The mix was great with the romance books especially appreciated (I put the romance books out and they were almost all gone by the next day!) We don't get many of the historical romance and timetravel romance (and the vampire ones seem especially hot right now). I am very grateful for your willingness to sent current, fun,and esp, romance books. The books are wonderful as a stress breaker and also as a conversation starter (have you read this one yet, or I will give you this one as soon as I finish it) I know you expended not only funds on getting the books and mailing them but I also am thankful you took the the time to pick out special books and packing them to send. Your gift of giving a part of yourself in thinking of us soldiers, and putting action to the thoughts is such a wonderful present. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. Thanks Bunches!!!"

"I just wanted to thank you for the shipment of books that you sent me while I was overseas. I do apologize dearly that I am only writing you this email now. I just recently got back home and I found the envelope that you had put with the books. Your providing books to the troops is such a good thing. It keeps our minds off what is really going on. Thanks again for all that you have done and that you do for the troops. "

"I just wanted to say thank you for sending out reading material to my location. Now I'll have a little extra something to do during my off time. Again thank you :)"

"I have received more than I ever expected (and I am still trying to find room for some of the books!) and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Between the magazines, books and snacks people sent, I have enough to last me til I return home again. I have sent letters to everyone who was kind enough to send me something, but if you could again thank them for me I would appreciate it. Your program is awesome and you are without a doubt keeping our morale up while being away from the States! Thanks again. "

"Dear Ms. F: Just wanted to take a moment of your time to thank you for being so kind as to send us the large box of magazines which you mailed to us on the 22nd of January. It was an excellent selection and our seafaring American and British patrons will find this donation most welcome. It was very nice of you to think of us (again) and we much, much appreciate your generosity and that of Operation Paperback. Our very best wishes to you in the New Year. "

"Dear Barbara: Amazing! Your box of most welcome business and auto magazines made the transit from Portland to Diego Garcia in only 10 days, arriving here just this morning subsequent to your mailing on January 29th! We are most grateful for your thoughtfulness and thank you for the trouble that you went to in order to mail this parcel to us. Your contribution has been prominently displayed at the entrance to this seafaring center and we very much appreciate the kindness. All best wishes to you in the New Year."

"Dear Mr. M: My apologies, I just got back to Diego Garcia after a four month (well earned) vacation and found that sometime over that period you had been very kind in subscribing this Center to one year subscriptions to both Reader's Digest and the Smithsonian Magazine. Our patrons - US military personnel and civilian mariners, will certainly enjoy these magazines and I thank you for taking the time, energy and expense of subscribing for "USS". It is most deeply appreciated. Our thanks too, to Operation Paperback, for making this possible. All the very best in the New Year."

"Dear Mr. T, I want to thank you for your continued support of the American troops over here in Afghanistan. My soldiers and I appreciated the books you sent us. It is nice to be able to take your mind off of events of the day. I am not going to tell you how terrible it is over here because no matter how bad things are it can always be worse. It also matters what type of attitude you go into it with and I have a very upbeat attitude about all things not connected with my ex-wife(haha). How can I or we not have great attitudes when we have such people as you and others like you in our support chains? Thank You. "

"Thanks you so much for your donation to our ship's library!"

"Thank you so much for your donation to our ship's library!"

"LT and Mrs. Victoria K., I received the book “THE MONKS OF NEW SKETE.” I want to thank you and your wife for participating in Operation Paperback. I am an avid reader. I will make sure to pass this book on to one of my soldiers so that others may enjoy it as well. "

"Just want to let you know that I received 4 small boxes of books and 6 medium sized boxes. Our shelves are staying nicely stocked. Please pass on my thanks."

"Thank you so much for all your support. We have received tons of books for us to enjoy, nine packages just yesterday. I thank you all very much. We are right now flooded with books from everyone's support. So I would like to remove my unit from the mailing list. Thank you again for the support from everyone involved with Operation Paperback. You guys do an awesome job."

"Thanks so much for the package of books! It arrived today without any damage. Thanks again."

" Hi there! This message is for the person from whom I received a book today, Teri E. I just wanted to say "Thank you very much!" for sending me Strike of the China Falcon. Your gift and your support are very much appreciated."

"I'd like to thank you for your support. I traveled on a regular basis and reading really helped me forget a lot about the dangers I was really in. Most of the times I would pick a book up while at the same time dropping the one I had finished reading for others to also enjoy. I kept reading your label and thought "I should return the favor at least by sending a thank you." Well finally I got to sit behind a computer now I'd really like to say from deep down in my heart - Thank you so much for all your help! May God bless you and America"

" Dear Diane and Don, I want to thank you for sending me books and magazines through operation paperback. I've been waiting for a chance to read "The Founding Brothers" by Joseph Ellis for a while. It's a popular book to people interested in American history like me. I am also setting up a small library at our common area here at FOB Joyce so other soldiers can read the books I get. I can imagine how beautiful the Cumberland valley is; I had heard about it before in New York. Being from Brooklyn, NY, I often find myself thinking of moving to upstate New York looking for the same views. Finally, I also appreciate the magazines. There is a lot of important things happening in our country right now such as health care reform and the economic crisis that us soldiers want to know more but don't have much access to the news. Thanks."

"I have received your box of books and am quite elated at the selection. I have selfishly taken the ones I intend on reading and the others in my office have done the same. I am a paralegal and work in the JAG office of *******. I wanted to personally thank you for your gift. I am happy your loved ones have returned home. I landed here on Christmas day and will not leave until the first week of December 2010. I have a long way to go and it is depressing when you really think about how long until you return home. I am a mother of 3 children and 4 dogs and miss them so terribly. It is different to be here and only have to worry about work and staying safe. When I am at home, I am the one who makes sure the laundry is kept up, dinner is started at a decent time, homework is done, the heater or air conditioner is turned off during the day, the curtains are opened in the morning and shut at night, dog food bowl is filled up, etc, etc, etc. I now sit here and wonder if those little things are being done while I am away. Again, thank you for your gift. It is much appreciated. "

"I just wanted to thank you all for sending all the books, and my platoon thanks you all for your support. "

"Sue H: Thanks for the books. Great stuff!"

"Ken O: Thanks for contributing the books. Nice selections for our soldiers to enjoy."

"Hello all, Thank you for the books. I didn't expect them to arrive so fast. They will be greatly enjoyed since our book selection is very limited at the moment. Again, thank you for your support and God Bless you all."

"my apologies for not getting around to letting you know that I have received some shipments recently. I have just gotten back from my R&R leave. I received three shipments: one from Judy B., another from Ken O., and the final from I believe Penny C. Once again thank you all for your donations of time, support and of course the books. They are greatly appreciated over here. Have a good day! "

"I just received a package of books from volunteer, Caroline B., dated 25Jan10. Perfect timing, I just finished my last book! Thank you so much. I look forward to reading them. We all appreciate your support out here. Thank you for what you do. "

"We just received another box of books from your organization. Thanks so much for you support. My unit will be redeploying soon. We will be leaving our library of books to the unit that will be replacing us. However, as I soon will no longer be here to receive any more boxes, please halt your shipments. I don't want your organization to pay for shipping and have them come back to you as undelivered. Thanks so much for improving the morale of the 800+ soldiers in our unit while we've been deployed."

"Hey I just wanted to let you know that I received your book and they are much appreciated. Thanks. "

"York Sertoma Club, I recently returned from leave and had several packages. They do help the time go by quicker. Thank you for your support."

"Ann C., I recently returned from leave and had several packages. They do help the time go by quicker. Thank you for your support."

"I would like to take a minute to express my gratitude and appreciation for all of the books that your organization has sent to me and my unit. We all appreciate everything that you and your organization are doing to make life little easier for those of us who are deployed. I just wanted to let you know that you will not need to send anything else to us. We have gotten word that we will be leaving SOON and therefore we are not supposed to receive any more mail after 1 February. Again thank you for all that you do and know that you are making a difference over here."

"Ms Nicholas, et al., My apologies for not writing sooner, but only here at the end of my year-long tour do I find myself with the time and means of expressing my gratitude for your kind gift to my unit. My words truly can not do justice to expressing the enormous comfort we have received from the gift of your books. The thought of some kind soul spending their time to gather, and then send, a piece of home to so distant a land, well, it warms our hearts in ways uncountable. To those of us sent forth to battle, each in our own way, those that would seek to bend these people against their will, the knowledge that there are others safe at home sending thoughts and prayers for our success and safe return is strengthening of our own resolve to make it through the adversities and frustrations that challenge us every day. As we are isolated from most of the major bases here, the ability to find a few moments of peace by escaping into a book is one of the few comforts we have here. It is hard to find a soul here who does not spend the waning moments of their day unwinding with one of the books from our rather well-stocked library. Thank you for the tangible expression of your support. "

"I just wanted to send a note of thanks to let you know that we not only received the boxes of books that you sent but also to tell you thank you. These books are truly a God send for us. I have been putting them on the Battalion bookshelf and they go out as quickly as they come in. We appreciate everything that your organization is doing for us servicemembers who are serving overseas. Words alone will never be able to express our gratitude for what you are doing. Fortunately our time has come to return home to our family and friends who we left behind a short while ago. My brother-in-law will be deploying in a a couple of months and I will make sure that I pass along your website to him so that his soldiers too can benefit from your graciousness. Thank you again for all that you do!!"

"Thanks for the books. They mean a lot to the soldiers in my Company. We appreciate your support. "

"Just to let you know that we received several boxes of paperback and hardback donations recently at the Patient Library. The boxes came from Hampton Bays, NY and Houston, TX. We were very pleased to receive the donations and want to thank all the kind folks for their generosity. "

" Eileen C., Thanks you so much for the books. I really appreciate you taking the time to send them over."

"Hi Chrissy, Sorry that it has been so long since I have written. It has been extra busy here in Kuwait. You might be interested to know that LT Day left for home last week and by now he is with his family. I have been receiving books at a steady rate and the shelves have stayed well stocked. Yesterday I got 5 small boxes in the mail. Thank you again."

"I would just like to send the heartfelt thanks from the Soldiers of the 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion to the Association for the help of Retarded Children Adult Day Habilitation Program. We recently received a donation of books from them through the operation paperback program. The 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, PACESETTERS, is made up of units from across the United States and includes Active Duty, Army Reserves, and Army National Guard Soldiers. We have a unit from Texas, Ohio, Washington, Louisiana, Arizona, Virginia, and our Headquarters is deployed from Ft Riley, Kansas. The 900+ Soldiers in this Battalion truly appreciate the fact that they took the time and energy to provide us with these books. Even though the quality of life continues to improve here, the Soldiers still work long hours, away from Family and friends, and need to be able to "get away" for even a few minutes and reading is one of the most popular ways of doing it. Your gift will continue to provide that break for Soldiers as new forces come into theater and as we exchange books with our sister units in Afghanistan. Again, we thank you for your support and efforts; when the American Soldier and their Families know that they have the support of the nation, it keeps them strong and makes the days go by faster. Thank you and best wishes."

"South Placer CHIP Retirees Group: Thank you for the books, magazines, and care package items!"

"I always have to stop and scan the books whenever I see any. Reading makes the cold lonely nights better for me. Thank You"

"Mike B, Thanks for the books. Nice selection!"

"Mr. Tarpey, I got your box of books today. Thank you very much for your support. I also send out my prayers for your eldest son and my sincerest gratitude that your niece's husband made it home safe. I'm headed out soon, God willing, back to my wife and two children. It's been a long haul that was made bearable from the distractions the books have provided not only to myself but to the rest of my unit. Thanks again."

"I want to thank you for your support throughout this deployment. My unit has received numerous care packages from Operation Paperback and Operation Care Package. My guys have enjoyed receiving them and just knowing that people are still thinking of us out here. We really appreciate your support. I will be leaving in the coming weeks and wanted to pass along my sincere gratitude for your services. If you wish to continue to support my replacement unit you may use the address below. We currently have a good amount of supplies to pass on to the new team. Thank you again! "

"Thanks so much for sending all the wonderful books to my son while he was deployed. He is home now and you can stop or cancel the submission for the delivers. Again I really appreciate your doing this Daniel said it was a big help while he was gone. "

"Kiley D., The books were received as well as the cards from the students. Thank you for the support!"

"Shiela C., The books were received. Thanks for supporting us!"

"Kim V., Thank you for the books and the support!"

"We received a package of books from Dunstable, MA. Thanks for the support."

"Rashid, Thank you very much for the books and for your support! "

"Hi Selena! I just wanted to send my sincerest thank you's for the books you sent me! It was by far the best box of books I've gotten. I can't thank you enough. Your efforts do not go unappreciated."

"Wishing you happiness this holiday season and throughout the coming year. We go home soon, so thank you!"

" Dear Young Women's Club of York, PA: We received your Operation Paperback book delivery just this past week. Since the education center is highly frequented by Soldiers going into Iraq, we here at the education center on Camp LSA, Kuwait kept the books packed up until this afternoon when there was a slight lull in the number of visiting students. Now they have become the newest entry in the base library. They are greatly appreciated by the men and women fighting for democracy and stability in Iraq. Thank you very much for not forgetting the servicemembers far away from home. Merry Christmas from the Arabian desert."

"I would like to say thank you from all of our Soldiers in my Unit. I received 2 boxes of books today (LTC PZ Horton III and Carolyn B). It was absolutely amazing to get a package with that many books in them. I put the books out in our Company area and I am sure that they will be gone in a couple of days. I am going to send a note back to each individual and say Thank You. I truly appreciate all the support you give to the troops. When we have time, it is really nice to be able to get away from all the craziness by reading books. Thank you."

"THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT AND THE BOOKS."

"Chrissy, we just received a BUNCH of boxes from your folks... WOW!!!! It felt like Christmas, seriously! Unwrapping a dozen or so parcels and finding all great gifts inside, really brought the Christmas season on!!! Plus, the selection was terrific... Really it was what we wanted:> Recent DVD's for adults, lots of children DVD's, and plenty of Christmas tunes to enjoy for this season. Thank you SO very much! Some of your people even sent Christmas greeting cards to us, how sweet! One person even sent us a direct shipment from Amazon, which they paid for and had Amazon ship to our address. Now that's giving in the spirit of faith! It's so funny, cause we were all like, "We're not expecting anything from Amazon for the library... We don't have any new fiscal year money to order anything with"... LOL! Oh, were we pleasantly surprised. THANK YOU to everyone!!!! Please extend our thanks to the following people: Suzanne S. of Miami, FL, Judy D. of Scotia, NY, Nancy W. of Saint Louis, MO, Karol M. of Boscobel, WI, Kent and Gigi B. of Andover, MA, Anne S. of Overland Park, KS, Delores G.of Mountain Home, AR, Dave B. of Allenstown, NH, Sheri H. of Dunstable, MA, Lisa B. of Stephens City, VA, Terry N. of Milford, CT, Gene R. & Pat F. of Palos Verdes Estates, CA, Sara C. of Lake Charles, LA, Syd C. of Ocala, FL, Adele C. plus, Dianne (Denver) and Kathy. Sorry, but we accidentally discarded further info for these two last people (Dianne and Kathy). Thank you again! Please keep the DVD movies (adult and children)coming indefinitely, at a rate of about a box per month. Have a Happy Holiday Season. You've certainly made ours a little brighter! ;o)"

"Selina and Operation Paperback: We just received another box of books that are making the rounds with the team. Thanks for your support!"

"Mr. Jackson, Tuxedo Park Library, Don Wickstand, Rosemary Kkilhoffer, Anna Weaver, Linda Rowe, Kevin Duffy and his eagle scouts, Dan and Shirley Alley, Marge Stacy, and Claire Bryant sent me so many books! Thank you so much! I never realized how many books were necessary until I took these boxes of book to the latrine to share with everyone (After I greedily took some for me as well). We saw a book or two in each stall... people are definitely spending more time in the bathroom with quality reading material. After my roommate yelled at me for having so many books, I saw her walk in the room with 13 books from the bathroom and told me she was sorry, sat down and started reading. Thank you so much for bringing life back to us. this provides such an escape. I can't thank everyone there enough. Also to the men and women who sent me books at the beginning of the tour as well. Thank you so much. My Stephen King collection was stolen from me and now thanks to all your many volunteers, I have regained most of it back as well as collected a few more :) Many of my friends have come back to reading after seeing the selection provided to them. Thank you is not enough for your kindness and generosity. I can only hope that I can still make you proud of us."

"Dear Andersons: Thank you for your generous donation of books in support of the over 1,000 transiting troops, family members, and retirees passing daily through the world’s busiest USO Center at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Not only are these items greatly appreciated, I also want to recognize the time and effort it took to collect and mail them. Happy Holidays from the Ramstein Air Terminal USO."

"Dear Mandy, I received your shipment about a week or so ago. Thank you so much. The books were a great hit and everyone is enjoying them. We are very grateful that there are people like you and your colleagues that are willing to spend your free time to send us things. Thank You so much."

"Ken O., Thank you for the books. They arrived on 24 Dec 09 and were a nice boost for Christmas."

"I just wanted to thank everyone at operation paperback for all the books the troops have received from you this year and wish you all a wonderful and safe winter. "

"Thank you very much for the support that you have provided for your troops here in Iraq. We received your Iraqi Phrasebooks recently and they have been a huge benefit for our company. We were able to provide one to every soldier in our unit and they have been a big help with our understanding of the Iraqi language. Our company has been able to utilize interpreters when we have to speak to local nationals, however I can attest that respect is gained when you can speak in their language. Using just a few phrases in their Iraqi language in many cases brings a smile to their face. I have personally been asked (humorously) to join a local tribe as a result of using a few phrases that have learned from your phrasebook. In the Army we always talk about the "measures of effectiveness" for everything we do, and it is easy to gage the rapport that is built through just a few phrases of their language. Thank you again and Happy Holidays!"

"Mr. T., I want to thank you for a book you donated to Operation Paperback, "...and Never Let her Go," by Ann Rule. I finished reading it and will put it back with the donated books for someone else. I wanted to let you know your donation is appreciated! Happy New Year "

"I'm writing to thank you for the books. I was a little busy and have gotten behind on my thank you letters. So now that I have a few minutes what better time than now. The book selection over here has really grown from all of the volunteers who have sent books. It has been great to see what comes in the mail. I know I enjoy opening boxes and seeing what is in every box. Again, thank you for the books and Happy Holidays!"

"Last week I received a box of books from Mina and friends of The Book Cellar Webster Library (NY). Thanks for taking the time to put together the books and sending them to us. There was a great selection and they're being cycled through our team here. Your work and support for us is really appreciated!"

"I just received 12 Boxes of books!!! I can't thank you enough!! So many people sent me so many books I feel bad I can't write so many thank you cards! I hope you will understand and accept my thank you so very much over the internet! Thank you so much for providing and "out" for us on those rough days:) We all appreciate it so very much. I got the opportunity to share with all my friends and even more. Thank you from all of us at JSS War Eagle."

"I pray that you'll have a blesssed Christmas. Your family is in my prayers. Thank you for everything you have done."

"Thank you for the books that have been sent. I would like to let you know that I have recently received 3 shipments of books. Two I have personally sent thanks to, which are John T and the Women's Book Club of Westchester County. The final one is from Tuxedo Park Library. "

"Nancy, Selina, Wendy, the Volunteers of Operation Paperback, and the employees of BAE Systems, Inc.: Today I received three shipments of books from your organizations and it will go a long way into updating our book selection at the Morale Recreation and Welfare Center (MWR). If you are a fan of romance novels and/or Louis L 'Amour you would be thrilled when you entered our little library here at FOB Kalsu, near the town of Iskandariyah 40km south of Baghdad. If you are like most the guys here you would be hard pressed to find good science fiction, like Warhammer Star Wars, Dragon Lance, and Forgotten Realms. Your generous donation of good books will give many Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines countless hours of entertainment and stress relief. Thank you for thinking of us and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year."

"Hello John I would like to thank you for your shipment of books. I and my fellow troops will get much enjoyment out of them. My best wishes to you and your family during the holidays. "

"John, Thanks so much for the books you sent to FOB Spin Boldak. These will serve a many soldier from our collective recreation tent we have built. Thank you so much again for your kind consideration. "

"I was lucky enough to find out about this website on my last deployment. I want to thank everyone who works here and let them know how much I appreciate you all. The books I got last deployment helped me out a lot. Thank you for supporting the troops and thank you so much for all you do."

"Dear Young Women's Club of York, PA: We received your Operation Paperback book delivery just this past week. Since the education center is highly frequented by Soldiers going into Iraq, we here at the education center on Camp LSA, Kuwait kept the books packed up until this afternoon when there was a slight lull in the number of visiting students. Now they have become the newest entry in the base library. They surely are greatly appreciated by the men and women fighting for democracy and stability in Iraq. Thank you very much for not forgetting the service members far away from home. Merry Christmas from the Arabian desert."

"Sally D, Thank you so much for the books you sent. I really appreciate it."

"Jane P, I wanted to say thank you for the books you sent. They are appreciated."

"Jill, Thank you so much for the shipment of books. I have added them to our growing library available to all 200+ of us here at Kabul. It is so relaxing to go and pick out a book and get your mind off of all that seems to overwhelm you at times. Thanks for helping provide that comfort to us all. "

"I received your package today and I would like to thank you very much. We have a bookshelf in our hallway area and since I am finance we see alot of soldiers daily and I have filled the bookshelf up with all the books I have received. So your books are being shared with a lot of other soldiers here. Thank you again. I am very grateful for your support. "

"Thank you very much for the box of books! They go a long way towards maintaining a high morale and providing entertainment for our soldiers in their "down" time. Our base does not have a very good selection of books available, and when new books arrive, they are quickly snatched up. So, these are very much appreciated. The story - No Ordinary Neighbor - > and picture added a nice very timely and personal touch - I have posted it in our common area for our soldiers to read and enjoy. Thank you for the tremendous thought and generosity! Have a wonderful> winter, a Happy New Year, and a Merry Christmas!"

"Mr. Tarpey, Thank you very much for the books. I received them today. Thank you very much for sending them. I appreciate it. I love to read. The others here pick out the books they want to read and then put on the book shelf for everyone else. Once again thank you. "

"My apologies for not responding sooner, but due to unforeseen circumstances I have not been at my normal fob. Upon return there were two shipments of books and I would like to send out my thanks to the kind people who sent the books for myself and the other soldiers here on FoB Grizzly. Many thanks! "

"To the wonderful volunteers of Operation Paperback:Over the last ten months I have been receiving various books thru your organization which have been enjoyed by all. Unfortunately, my time is up and I have to re-deploy Jan/Feb time frame. Please adjust your "send to" roster to reflect this information. Once again, I and the many Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and civilians that I have in my company send their many thanks."

"Although I have not directly received books from Operation Paperback I have read many, many books you have sent to soldiers. I can not thank you enough for giving your time and effort to help us. With little usable electricity or venues for entertainment; you have books that can go in your pocket and when you get where you're going or get to the end of the day it is accessible. Please know that you have our gratitude. Thank you."

"Your thoughtfulness in giving us books is very much appreciated. Your wonderful gift will keep on giving as we share the books among ourselves and then pass them on to others. Thanks bunches!"

"Thank you to the many volunteers that have given all the Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Civilians that are deployed the opportunity to escape to another world thru the many books that have been sent out. Thank you for YOUR support."

"Thanks Operation Paperback for the box of books you sent us. They are already in our deployed library and in the hands of people wanting to escape from here, even for a little while. Your service is appreciated by all. Thanks again, God bless the USA! "

"Please thank Nancy D. and the employees of BAE Systems, Inc for their recent book donation to the Camp Schwab USO in Okinawa Japan. Thanks."

"I wanted to say thank you on behalf of all the service members and civilians working in Iraq who will benefit from your kindness and generosity. The books and other items sent from all of you show that you are behind them and will never forget the sacrifices they make daily to preserve not only our way of life but putting all on the line for others as well. I once again thank you and hope you all enjoy this Holiday season. "

"Thank you very much for the box of books you donated to share with the troops here in Balad, Iraq! We have received your shipment and are distributing the books to servicemen and women through our canteen here at the Joint Base Balad Red Cross Office, and with the assistance of some of our volunteer servicemembers, including them in care packages to some of our troops in outlying areas and on missions. The books you donated will go a long way toward brightening the days of many of those serving their country far from home. Thank you again!"

"I first want to thank you so much for supporting my Company through Operation Paperback. The Soldiers and myself have much appreciated the books and magazines we have received over the last year and change. Words cannot describe my gratitude and I cannot write enough Thank You cards. I am writing to you to inform you that I will be leaving Korea, so you can remove me from your address listing. Thanks again for everything. "

"Please thank Jamie V. for the recent book donation to Camp Schwab USO in Okinawa, Japan."

"We just received a BUNCH of boxes from your folks... WOW!!!! It felt like Christmas, seriously! Unwrapping a dozen or so parcels and finding all great gifts inside, really brought the Christmas season on!!! Plus, the selection was terrific... Really it was what we wanted: Recent DVD's for adults, lots of children DVD's, and plenty of Christmas tunes to enjoy for this season. Thank you SO very much! Some of your people even sent Christmas greeting cards to us, how sweet! One person even sent us a direct shipment from Amazon, which they paid for and had Amazon ship to our address, now that's giving in the spirit of faith! It's so funny, cause we were all like, "We're not expecting anything from Amazon for the library... We don't have any new fiscal year money to order anything with"... LOL! Oh, were we pleasantly surprised. THANK YOU to everyone!!!! Have a Happy Holiday Season, you've certainly made ours a little brighter! ;o)"

"Thanks Chrissy, we just received a couple more boxes which I will fly to our outstations next week. "

"Thank you very much for the box of books you donated to share with the troops here in Balad, Iraq! We have received your shipment and are distributing the books to servicemen and women through our canteen here at the Joint Base Balad Red Cross Office, and with the assistance of some of our volunteer servicemembers, including them in care packages to some of our troops in outlying areas and on missions. The books you donated will go a long way toward brightening the days of many of those serving their country far from home. Thank you again! "

"Just wanted to drop a line thanking you for the continued support and the books. Most recently I received a package of books from Lidsay H, or at least she signed the letter. The books that I don't keep for myself, I take over to the MWR and let them place them on their bookshelves. That way more soldiers have the opportunity to share in the support of your organization. Thanks again for all your support, and the Books!"

"Just sending you a confirmation on receiving the first shipment of books from you. Awesome, of course. Thank you very much, most of them are already gone! I appreciate your service to us. Hope your Holidays were good and happy. Thanks."

"Thank you for all of the support to our unit. However, we have enough books to last us for a long time. I am requesting that you take our unit off the list for a bit and I will let you know if we need to be added back onto the list. Thank You and have a nice Thanksgiving."

"Thank you for all the great books that I have had shipped to me. I have more then enough books for me and the company I am with. I would like to have my name taken off the list so that other soldiers and get these great books also. Thank you very much. "

"Thanks so much for the wonderful support your organization provides. The books are wonderful. I would like to thank Wendy H. for her great package, and Jessica F. for being so generous with hers. It is a treat to receive the books!!! Please let them know how much their kindness and generosity means to those of us overseas!! I (and my fellow soldiers) am really appreciating our "library" more and more as the days go by! Please let your group know how much their gifts mean!! Thanks so much."

"Good afternoon, I got your box today. I wanted to drop a line to send the thanks of not only myself, but my comrades here with me that appreciate the books as well. It means a lot to have people that support us so much back home, thanks again!"

"Dear Col. H., Thank you very much for the box of books you donated to share with the troops here in Balad, Iraq! We have received your shipment and are distributing the books to servicemen and women through our canteen here at the Joint Base Balad Red Cross Office, and with the assistance of some of our volunteer servicemembers, including them in care packages to some of our troops in outlying areas and on missions. The books you donated will go a long way toward brightening the days of many of those serving their country far from home. Thank you again!"

"Just a little note to let you know that we have received 5 boxes of books over the last few days. Thank you!"

"Just writing to let you know your shipment arrived safely to Iraq, and will enhance the 1-227th ARB Reading room. "

"Happy Holidays, I (We) have just received the latest installment of books sent by your organization and like the others, they are greatly appreciated. The irony is that we had just finished putting up a Christmas Tree and my entire section was really reveling in the holiday spirit and what should come to our door? A box of books. They were as excited as I was. Perfect timing. It was like Christmas came early. Thank you for your wonderful support. I (We) genuinely appreciate all that you do and the books. Happiest of holidays to you and yours. "

"Happy Holidays, I (We) have just received the latest installment of books sent by your organization and like the others they are greatly appreciated. The irony is that we had just finished putting up a Christmas Tree and my entire section was really reveling in the holiday spirit and what should come to our door? A box of books. They were as excited as I was. Perfect timing. It was like Christmas came early. Thank you for your wonderful support. I (We) genuinely appreciate all that you do and the books. Happiest of holidays to you and yours."

"Greetings from Iraq, I just wanted to thank everyone for the books they have been sending. The soldiers here have been appreciating the books. We have built a library here at the Brigade Aid Station and daily people come through only to grab books. It's been a well received change of pace for the troops. Thank you so much for your generosity. "

"I am so thankful for the books that your groups have been sending. They are well received and everyone has been enjoying the variety that are sent. The women (and some of the men if it be known) have appreciated the romance that you have included in some of the boxes. I have received boxes from Wendy H, Tillie N, Dale R, Selina F and Sue S!! It was great and I do wish to have each and everyone know how much their gift means. It is so nice to be able to "escape" into another place and time and lose yourself from what you are doing or is going on around you. To each of you, I thank you for your thoughtfulness in giving these books. It is so very much appreciated!!"

" I want to thank you for shipping books to our service members. I have received your books from the 211th HHD Commander. I am building a place for the troops to relax and get away from the stress of being deployed. Your gift has allowed me to give the troops something that will let them escape from the heat of Iraq and into a story. Thanks. "

"Hello- My name is Eric M, programming librarian for USAG Ansbach, here in Germany. I want to tell you that the books you have sent are a very kind gesture and the children are going to love them. Thank you so much for everything!"

"Sara, Thank you for your generous contribution of books to the Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Campbell, KY. Books often give the Soldiers an escape from daily life in the army. Our unit is a unique unit in which the Soldiers are temporarily in our unit, whether wounded in combat or injured stateside. We greatly appreciate your support, contribution of books and consideration for the Soldiers. Have a great day and do contact us with any questions."

"Fellow Book Lovers, Thx so much for the books!"

"I wanted to send a thank you letter to you and let you know I have been really excited to receive all the books I have, but I think I have all that I could use at the present time. I mean I have read so much of what I have gotten, but now I don't have anywhere to put the rest of the boxes I get and other soldiers here aren't really big on reading, so if possible could we please remove my name from the mailing list for now? I have 7 boxes that are full and I don't have any space left for more. Like I said I really do enjoy them but I don't think I would know what to do with any other boxes. Thanks so much!"

"I would like to take the time to personally thank you for the gift of books that you have so graciously donated to our library here. I would like for you to know that these books were well received and have found a wonderful home. I am thankful for groups like yours that take the time to make our lives that much easier. "

"Hi there, I just wanted to take the time to say thanks for taking the time to collect all the books. I see your sticker on a lot of them and I LOVE TO READ!!! So - Here's a shout out from COB Adder - Tallil, Iraq. Thanks a ton! You've made my nights happy and a lot of other soldiers as well. Take care and have a great Turkey Day!"

"I just wanted to write and let you know that I received two shipments of books over the last couple days. Thank you so much! I am forwarding them to our unit chaplain who has a free "troop store" as well as a take one, leave one book area. Thanks again."

"I just wanted to say thank you so much for the box of books you have sent me. I just received it today and I was so happy. Now I have enough books to read for the whole year. Thank you for all you guys do and how you support the troops. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

"I just wanted to share a special thank you with all of you who have sent me boxes! It has been a pleasure receiving all the books i have. I now have enough books to last me the rest of the year. Thank you so much"

"Thank you so much for sending me the books. I have been sharing them with my fellow soldiers. We appreciate what you do. We have more than enough books to last us for the rest of the deployment so you don't have to send us anymore. Have a great day!"

"I just want to start off by saying thanks for all the books that ya'll have sent here. My entire company is enjoying the books. They are being passed around the company and even to other units that are here. Ya'll are doing great things for us back home and we really do appreciate it. Getting the books makes the deployment that much more tolerable. Thank you once again."

"I just wanted to let you know we got your package of books. Thank you! We all appreciate your donation. Thank you again. "

"Oh my goodness. You have outdone yourselves, my husband has already received a shipment and said there were numerous books. He has started a library there and these will be wonderful additions. Thank you, thank you, thank you. "

" I would like to let you know the books you guys have sent arrived and would like to thank you for them. We all appreciate the thoughtfulness and all of your dedication to helping the Soldiers."

"THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE BOOKS!!! The Soldiers are really enjoying choosing and reading from the variety of books you have been sending. The comic books are also a big hit with Soldiers who don't like reading traditional books. Personally, I am elated for all the Anne Rice books, Neale Donald Walsch books and the books on various religions. I wish I could read all of them at the same time. Also, some of the Soldiers were wondering if you could send some children's books (2-12 ages.)"

"I just received 5 boxes of wonderful books from you. You don't understand how thankful I am for these. This is my second tour in Iraq and I learned from the first one how lonely it can get some times. These books are what we need over here. They can help us get our mind off of what is going on around us, and simply relax and enjoy them. I wanted to thank Selina, Kathy, Wendy, Hayner Public Library and everybody that is a part of operation paperback for what they have done. These books will go to needy soldiers who are just looking for an escape. Being just outside Baghdad, our days are full of surprises, but knowing there are people back in the states who care and are supporting us like this makes everything worth it. Thank you again from all of us here in Commanche Company 4-9IN. "

"I received multiple boxes of books and everyone was excited to help me open them up and look thru them! It was like an early Christmas. Our book selection has improved and now we have some more entertainment due to this. It is always great to relax with a good book. I've already written up thank you letters to people who sent boxes. Hopefully I haven't missed anyone. Whoever sent us books though, pass along a thank you. "

"Just wanted to send a note to say thank you and that we just received the most recent shipment of books. Thank you for everything."

"Thanks for the package, I don't read motocycle magazines, but one of my friends here did and really loved them. I'm orginally from upper east Tennessee, so your home sounds familiar to me. I'm also with the 2nd Infantry Division, just stationed out of Fort Lewis. Thanks for the package and the thoughts."

"I received 2 boxes with books in them mostly mysteries. I'd like to thank the people who sent them and say that quite a few of my buddies are enjoying them as well. Thank you for your support."

"I just wanted to thank you so much for everything you have done for us here. These books mean so much to us over here. The ability to escape into a good book is something that many of us need and truly appreciate. Again thank you so much. "

"I just wanted to say thank you. I received some books from you and have shared them with others here and we greatly appreciate them =)"

"I would like to thank Operation Paperback for the outpour of support. I have sent each contributor thank you letters as their "support" arrived to us here at FOB Sharana Afghanistan. We appreciate the support, however we have received so many books that I would like to withdraw my name from the list please. We have received so many different books and we are building a library to hold all these books, however even as we build shelves, we have to build more just to hold the books. Thank you for your time and your support. God Bless America."

"To whom it may concern: I have been receiving books from you for several months now and first off I would like to send thanks to all the volunteers that have sent me books. It has made my and many of my Marines time more enjoyable and gave us something to do with our downtime. However we are getting ready to leave theater soon and I am requesting that you stop sending books as I will have nothing to do with them when I return home. If you require any further information please don't hesitate to contact me. Again I appreciate your support. "

"Just a note to let you know that we received 2 small boxes of books yesterday. Thank you."

"Thank you for the books. It's a great stress reliever for me and my Soldiers. We've used the books to set up a morale and welfare center and we plan on sending some of the books to outlying areas where resources are scarce. Again, thanks for the books. "

"Kathy D.: Rec'd the Brian Haig books and the others are authors I have not read so this will be good. Many thanks to you!"

" Mary Beth M, Thanks for the eclectic group of books that you mailed to me. The Pam Brown Thursday Morning Book and Culture Club in Orindo, CA sent 3 boxes of books that I distributed out to various groups of soldiers where I am stationed. Thanks so much for the effort that was taken in getting the books to us to enjoy! It was very much appreciated!! "

"I have arrived safely back home and plan to visit family next week. Thanks for your support while I was deployed."

"Your paperback books were received at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Thank you for sending them. "

"Selina F, I just received your box of books today. Thank you very much. I really appreciated you sending them out. And thank you for sending so many Tom Clancy books. I love to read his books. I have already started in on one of them. I have also set others out so the other soldiers here can get a chance to read them as well. Thank you once again for taking time to send them to me. "

"Many thanks to all those who donated books. We recently received a couple of boxes and the troopers here were like kids on Christmas morning, some of them excitedly grabbing for books they had not read in several years. Many found new favorites as well as rediscovering past classics."

"I would like to thank you very much for the two shipments of books that have been received for the troops here at FoB Grizzly. They are much appreciated and will see many hands as when one person is done with them they will go to the MWR for redistribution. The shipments received were from Selina F. and Patriots Colony Library. Many thanks. "

"When I went down to get the mail this morning someone should have yelled INCOMING! because I was buried under boxes of books. Thanks again Operation Paperback!"

"We at the Salerno Army Education Center in Afghanistan thank you for your continuing support. With your help we have been able to maintain a bookshelf stocked for our troops' educational and personal development. Not only that, but the kind letters from your donors provide a warm sense of home. Keep 'em coming. Operation Paperback is an astounding victory!"

"Thank you for all the books. I have received so many books that I cannot even read them all. I pass them along for others to read though."

"Chrissy we have more than enough books for this year. Let me contact you again next year to see if we need to start up again. Thanks much."

" Just wanted to say that I have received the books that everyone has so generously donated. I have placed them in our MWR for the enjoyment of all soldiers of our unit. Your participation in Operation Paperback is greatly appreciated. Our work here as medics can often result in long, emotionally draining hours. I love to unwind with a good book after shift; it helps to take my mind off all the days events. Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone for their contributions. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. "

"I would really like to thank each and every one of you for supporting our crave for knowledge and entertainment here in Iraq. It has really brightened the lives of all the Marines and everyone around us. If you were to be around some of us, you could hear the discussions constantly going on about which book someone is ready and discussions on the plot of others. It's nice to get away from our reality with a good book in hand. Thank you so much for what you do, and continuously supporting us. We love you all and wish you all the best!"

"I received your box of books today. Thank you very much for sending them. I am looking forward to reading them. I have already started one of them. Books are really the only way I can kill time sitting around over here. You have helped me out a lot. Thank you very much for your support. I have already passed some on to other soldiers here and will do so with the rest of them after I am done reading them. Thank you very much. "

"I have now received three shipments of books and magazines. I am extremely thankful for everything your organization is doing for us. It means so much to hear from people back home and how much they support us. Again, thank you so much. "

"I have now received three shipments of books and magazines. I am extremely thankful for everything your organization is doing for us. It means so much to hear from people back home and how much they support us. Again, thank you so much. "

"While I was in Iraq, I really appreciated the reading materials sent by Operation Paperback members. Now that I'm back home, I'm signing up to be one of the folks sending packages."

"Thank you to all of the volunteers that continue to send us books. I have received numerous packages with a wide variety of great books. I continually get asked when the next box will be in!!! We appreciate everything you do for us. These books provide a much needed break to the hectic and long days. Please keep the books coming. Thank you again and God bless your organization!!"

"Thank you for all the books that you sent us. I have shared them with others too because I received so many. Thank you for all that you do."

"Thank you very much for your donation! The books you sent were greatly appreciated. I love to see such a wide selection of reading material in a place where there’s not much else to do, because it encourages everyone to find a book that interests him/her (and a lot more people would learn their spelling and grammar!) When I leave here in December, I will forward many of the books back to my boat, the USS Harry S. Truman. Its tiny library is in desperate need of an update to continue serving the 5,000+ crewmembers on board. Thank you again for the package; it really makes a difference to us over here when we receive love and support from back home! "

"Thanks for all the books. I am stationed at Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team near the ancient ruins of Babylon."

"We received your kind donation of books for our patrons here at USAG Hohenfels. Thank you for thinking of us- I am sure they will be enjoyed by many!"

"I received two boxes from Operation Paperback. Just wanted to say thanks."

"Thanks for your quick response and support. Any books that you send will really help us 'connect' with home and will be passed around from Soldier to Soldier."

"We have received several more shipments since the last email...the guys love you all for it. I'll continue to send updates for shipments as mission requirements allow. Thanks again."

"I am the chaplain assistant for the unit that you have been sending books(4-23 IN). I am the one who normally puts them away. The Soldiers here really appreciate these books!!! SGT Jonathan Martin "

"On behalf of my company and myself I would like to thank you all for your support. All of these books are helping time go by faster for soldiers in Iraq. We appreciate it. Thank you once again. "

" Please thank Doris and Art A. of Zim, Mn for their recent book donation to the Camp Schwab USO in Okinawa, Japan."

"Thank you so much for the American Heritage magazines sent to us in response to an Operation Paperback request. I've already taken two of the four boxes down to our laundry room where they've been gobbled up by the soldiers here. Yeah, south central Pennsylvania is quite beautiful. Two years ago right now I was riding a bicycle across our great nation. Because I had previously served with the PA National Guard in Iraq, I ended up heading north and crossing your fine state on HWY 30. Lucky for me I had plenty of army buddies across the state as I was facing some cold November rains/snow. Thankfully the precipitation was light and I was able to arrive in Philadelphia the day before Thanksgiving to celebrate the holiday with a childhood friend. But don't let the PA National Guard business confuse you. I was born, raised and spent most of my adult life as a Californian. I was called up from the inactive reserves and placed with A Co. 1-110th in Iraq. Pennsylvanians are pretty good people. Of course mine were mostly of the Pittsburgh ilk. I'm sure there's a big difference between Steelers and Eagles fans. Thanks again for thinking about the troops. I, of course, wear nothing but Hawaiian shirts as an Army Education Center employee here in Afghanistan but your magazines are being read by those in uniform. Nice to be among the troops again without having to do the job they do. I was infantry and don't care to carry a weapon any longer. Hope you're having a beautiful Pennsylvania fall, "

"My name is Spc. Arnal P. I would like to thank you and your organization sincerely for all the books here that I have recieved. I think I've got enough books to last me the rest of the deployment now. A little about the guy you sent books to. I am a Combat Medic with an infantry battalion which is part of the 3rd Stryker brigade of the 2nd Infantry Div. here near the Iran/Iraq border. We are doing a few missions a week here. Its pretty quiet so the books help pass the time during the long drives to and from in our Strykers. Also back in the barracks. Our FOB is an old Iraqi base. The accomodations are slightly better than tents. We have ac which helps alot. Once again I thank you for all your books. My guys and I will enjoy them. I am an avid reader. Thank you. "

"Just got another shipment of books from Lubbock, Texas. Thanks for sending, we appreciate it. "

"Dear Teri, We have received your gift of DVDs and on behalf of the troops here, and the USO I want to thank you and your organization for your thoughtfulness and generosity. These DVDs most certainly create a diversion for the men and women who put in so many hours and often arrive at the USO exhausted. We now have an extensive library of movies that very often means we are able to fulfill a request for a particular title. Sincere thanks to you and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit!"

"Thank to all who have been sending me books. The other service members also appreciate you. "

"I have received 2 shipments of books from you, the latest just last week. The guys love you for it…undoubtedly brought a smile. Thanks again for your support. "

"Hi Salina, My fellow soldiers and I thank you for the box of books. We should be good for a while and this is truly a wonderful operation which is greatly appreciated. I found a book, Mortal Allies by an author I have never before read and totally enjoying his books. If anymore come your way could you send to me if possible...his name is Brian Haig. Again thank you so much."

"to Denise & Randy B. for their book donation! Please let them know how much we appreciate their support of our wonderful troops. P.S. It's still hot here!"

"Dear John, Sorry I did not write back right away. I moved from Camp Bucca to Camp Cropper and started two new jobs...busy, busy, busy. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all the books you personally mailed to the troops. It meant so much for me to be able to go to the MWR and look through the thousand (or more) or so books at Camp Bucca alone and pick one from one of my favorite authors. Just about everyone I picked up was from Operation paperback. Your book was the only one with an email address on the back so far but I promise to email a thank you if I see anymore. You are right about Camp Bucca, we did close that down and there was a piece on the news about us. I saw it on the FOX news ticker one morning in the Chow Hall. Thank you for all you do to support us. It means a lot to know there are good people out there that think about us in our missions overseas. "

"I have been meaning to get this out earlier. I wanted to thank everyone who has generously taken their time and money to send these books. When I signed up for the program I was a bit skeptical about people sending things to people that they do not know. I now am a true believer that there are still people in this world who care about those who do this job. When I got the first box of books I was amazed about the amount of books I had received. What started out to be a few books for my platoon turned into a rather large library of books for my company to read. "

"We appreciate your taking the time to send us care packages."

"Dear Volunteers who've been supporting the tiny FOB of Shank- If you can believe it, I think we might be at capacity for books here. I can't tell you how generous you all have been. I just got the last box from the Alleys and I was nearly sacked by a SGT trying to snag the Dan Brown novels. Yeah, things can get rough here! We are getting ready for our unit swap, and I'll be out of here soon. As much as it pains me to say, I think we have all the books we need and we've left plenty for the next unit following behind us. Our libraries are well stocked thanks to your generous donations. I can't thank you enough. Please remove my name from the list. I'm sure you'll see FOB Shank come back up on your roster, but (finally) my Soldiers and I are going home. All the best and thank you again."

"Ms. Diane W: Just time for a very quick note, but did want to write and thank you for the two parcels of reading materials that you kindly send to us on September 21st. I see where you have added Andrew's name to the shipping label and I will insure that he is aware of the need to open and display those magazines and books as they arrive. Thank you again, Diane, for the great serivce to seafarers and servicepeople here at Diego Garcia. It is deeply appreciated. All the very best and advance Happy Holidays. I hope to hear from you again early next year."

"I am sorry that it has taken me so long to respond to everyone. I have received the last 4 boxes of books that you have sent. Life is busy here sometimes, but I wanted to at least let you know that we did get them and they are being enjoyed by everyone in and out of the office. We are starting to get a sort of "book swap" going and they are being rotated out well. Thank you all again for everything."

"Hello there, Just a quick note to say thank you for the care packages. They really do make a difference and brighten the day when we receive them. Thank you again"

"Sir, I would like to thank you on behalf of my platoon for the box of books that you sent! We were all very excited to choose which book to start with! I personally chose, "Paint it Black" by P.J. Parrish. I'm having a hard time putting it down! We appreciate the support of wonderful patriotic citizens like you! Thank you again!"

"Ms. Katherine F, I would like to thank you on behalf of my platoon for the box of books that you sent! Everyone is so excited to go through the books to pick one each time we receive a new box. We all appreciate the support of wonderful patriotic citizens like you! Thank you again!"

"Hello, Just wanted to let Seale P., Madeline M., and the NOPL staff know that 2 boxes of books arrived for us here in western Afghanistan. Thank you so very much!! These books are more than appreciated over here – they take our minds off of the everyday grind and give our minds some exercise. We all thank you so very much for the time, effort, and expense that you have gone to in order to make our lives better. At this point, our storage space is maxed out, so these boxes should last us for awhile. Thank you again for all that you do. God Bless. "

"Thank you, thank you, thank you....that was a lot of magazines(that you mailed to us on September 8th of this year) and we are most grateful. We have moved some of them along already, with more to follow. That was very generous and thoughtful of you and we are most appreciative. There is a real need for those kinds of periodicals here on DG and it is really a pleasure of ours to be able to serve as a distribution point for those who find the time to stop by and pick up a few publications. Recreational opportunities are, of necessity, somewhat limited here on DG so we enjoy being one of the few places where folks can plan ahead to drop in, relax and "re-create". Thank you for helping to make that possible for "USS". "

"On behalf of the soldiers and families of 2-8IN, 2BCT/4ID I would like to thank all of you for the generous donation of books. Our unit is over 900 soldiers strong which in turn means over 500 families. The books that you have provided will go to children throughout our Battalion. Your generosity has given each of our families several books to enjoy. Thank you to Tara and Eric, Shelia, Kent and Gigi B., Millie, Terry Nolan, Charmine, Bertha H, Rita and Spencer O, and all of the other anonymous donations."

"I am the Recreation Supervisor at Camp Virginia, Kuwait and have just received a box of books with both of your letters/email addresses enclosed. We have set aside an area with 4 bookshelves and 2 couches for the Soldiers to relax and enjoy the books that are donated by groups such as yours. Many of them, my staff and I enjoy as well and return in order to make recommendations to the transitioning Soldiers! Thank you for your generous support of the fighting men and women of the United States Armed Services!"

"Dear Marisa: You aren't perhaps, in any way related to Marisa Tomei, my favorite actress? I thought not, but just on the remotest chance, I thought I would, and should, ask. Very much wanted to write and thank you for the large box of varied magazines that we received from you and Operation Paperback in today's mail. Many of those magazines went into immediate circulation and we are most grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity in sending them our way. We are, in the words of Men's Journal(September 2009 - Page 52), the 2nd "hardest place on earth to get to" so care packages like this from OP are most welcome and appreciated by the thousands of people who currently call this place home. Thanks again, for the magazines, your accompanying letter, and the thought that went into your parcel to "USS". "

"My team and I have received so many packages in just the last few weeks. Some of them books and others with supplies that are badly needed, things as simple as Q-tips or deodorant. Of course lots of candy and snacks, everyone here is smiling just a little bit more because of this. Thank you to all of you that find it in your hearts to help and keep us smiling. God Bless you all and your families whether they are military or prior military, deployed or home or even civilian."

"Dear Operation Paperback volunteers - Thank you very much for the many boxes of books you put together and sent for me and my unit. What began as an effort and a desire to provide a few books for my battery was met with great response from you, and has become a library with over 300 books that gets lots of walk through traffic from Soldiers from our entire battalion. It is great to have such a selection readily available, and know there is still so much support back home. Please pass on thanks to the following: Karmen Ray, Janet & Bruce of Cloud's Meow, New Rockford (ND) Public Library, Ruth Ray Mount Holly Springs, PA businesses, Book Junkee (York, PA) South Placer California Highway Patrol Retirees Group, Friends of the John. F. Germany Public Library, Walter Knapp, Louise and Spencer Forman, Sue Hirsh, Renee Benjamin, Brevard Brush Strokes, Melbourne FL"

"Thank you so much for your support in sending us all the wonderful books. Our Soldiers are finally home with their families and have had the opportunity to enjoy some quality reading! We are honored and humbled by your support and truly appreciate all you have done for us."

"Mr. Donald C. (USMC Ret), Thank you very much for sending the books, and for your own service. This must be at least the tenth box I have received and been able to share with Fox Company. Southern Afghanistan is still quite warm this time of year, and the Taliban are still up to no good, but rest assured our Marines are thwarting their very presence everyday and we are winning. The books help provide something to take our minds off of the daily grind. I’m sure you understand. Thanks again. "

"I just received your books for the "United Through Reading" program. Thank you very much for your support! If you need other information, please, let me know. Ciao and have a wonderful day."

"Ms. Alison H,(Agent 006) I find myself intrigued by the handle "Agent 006" - there is no doubt, an interesting story behind that title. Very much wanted to write nad thank the Ford Fiesta Movement for the generous donation of magazines that we recently received from all of you. Here at Diego Garcia, contemporary periodicals are in very short supply as there appears to be no budget for that item at the island library, so your publications were most welcome and appreciated. In addition to our expression of heartfelt gratitude, we are also inclined to ask, pray tell, what it is like having Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles as a home address? All the very best."

"I received the books and I thank you all very much for your support as well. The books will keep me company on my spare time out here in the desert. "

"Hello, we just received the paperback books you sent. Thanks so much for your support. "

"This is ICFN Miller from the USS Rushmore, I have received my shipment of books. Thank you very much. We appreciate all your donations and support."

"OP Paperback- rnWe received your shipment of paperback books and wanted to pass along our gratitude. Our guys are extremely appreciative. We are stationed amidst NATO forces and they consistently comment on how well we are supported from those back in the States (I think they are jealous ;). Thanks for taking the time and offering such a wonderful program. rn"

"Dear John, My name is Katie S. and I am currently stationed in Iraq at Camp Bucca. I went to the library the other day to get another a book and picked yours. I just wanted to say thank you very much for providing books for Soldiers. I hope I enjoy The Conspiracy Club. Many Thanks. "

"Thank you for the books. My soldiers enjoy them and it gives us a constructive outlet. We appreciate your support and the effort you do to help the troops. Thanks again. "

"Thank you so much. My roommate and I appreciate it so much!! Thank you again for all you do for us!! by the way.. I ran out of thank you cards but I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has been sending me books. I now have a HUGE collection of Stephen King to get through and my friends have a huge collection of Dean Koontz to get through... brand new books that have just been released were also sent to us. Thank you so much for that!!! You don't know how good it feels to slip away from this reality into a new one... Thank you!! "

"I just wanted to send an email to let you know that I received the box of books that was recently shipped by Louise and Spencer F. I appreciate all that you do, and am sharing the books with other Soldiers in my unit as well as enjoying them myself. Take care!!"

" Dear Ms. W.: Have to admit, I am at a loss of words....as a Boston-bred, blue-blooded left-of-liberal of the Kennedy/Kerry/Obama/ban all guns orientation, I don't have a lot of use for "Guns and Ammo" and Rifleman magazines...to say nothing of Gun Tests and Combat Handguns, but, but, but, having admitted to as much, ....many, many of our patrons here at Diego Garcia do, so we take pleasure in putting them out on display for the reading pleasure of our merchant mariners and active duty military personnel who frequent our seafarer's facility on a daily basis. We are an equal opportunity, non-profit, social welfare seafaring organization and anything that pleases our many patrons, pleases "USS". Thank you for taking the trouble to ship that large box to us and we thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness. "

"Ms. Renee B.: Thank you most kindly for the DVD that you sent our way late last month. We have a small movie viewing concession back in our Seamen's Center lounge and our seafarering patrons and staff should much enjoy viewing this selection. It was very kind of you to remember "USS "and we thank you for your thoughtfulness. It is most deeply appreciated."

"Just received two more boxes of books from Don W.in Dunstable, MA and from Dan and Shirley B. in Red Lion, Pennsylvania. We have a wide collection of titles now and appreciate everything you have sent. Hope all is well in the States; morale is high with the Marine Corps in southern Afghanistan!"

"A big thanks to Susan and Robert L. for their books, they are on the shelf today."

"I was very happy to receive the box of books. Thanks! "

"Bertha H. and Operation Paperback, Thank you for the shipment of books and magazines. I received them yesterday. There is a good selection and variety to choose from. I chose a few and placed the rest in our morale tent so that others in my unit can go through them and also have the opportunity to read them. I really appreciate you sending them. Thank you for going through the trouble of collecting them and sending them off. It's nice to know that we are appreciated for what we do. Thanks Again."

" I would like to give you all a personal thanks for your support from myself and the soldiers of my team here in Afghanistan. We are always grateful for morale boosting packages that help our soldiers reconnect with home. It is the support of citizens like yourself that make our efforts toward peace in this nation a little easier to bear. May all of you have continued blessings for the things that you are doing to help us. Thank you again. "

"Ms. H., Thank you, and the friends and neighbors of Murtle Beach, for your generous donation of books. The wide variety of novels is a wonderful treat for my Soldiers. We truly appreciate your constant thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your continued support! "

"Mr. Roy C., Wanted to be sure to write and thank you for the magazines that you so kindly sent on the 24th of August, followed by a large box of books on the 25th! That was most thoughtful and generous of you Sir, and I wanted to take a moment or two and express our appreciation for your kindness. The books and magazines that we receive here are made available to local US merchant mariners and active duty military personnel, and the occasional "trooper" on his way through to Afghanistan. All our patrons are most welcome, as are your books and magazines. Here at Diego Garcia, we don't have access to a Stars and Stripes bookstore, and the local military library has almost no budget for periodicals, so these donations are much appreciated by our patrons. Again, our deepest thanks for your thoughtfulness. "

"Please thank Mr Winston C. of ******, NE for his book donation to the Camp Schwab USO."

"Thank you folks for the book donation to the Camp Schwab USO in Okinawa, Japan. They will make a nice addition to our reading room."

"Dear Folks: My apologies, I have been without my Chief Financial Officer for the past month and the work is just without end, so where possible I need to double up a bit to make sure I cover all of the bases in some capacity. We had the good fortune to receive both your boxes of magazines in today's mail from Operation Paperback and I wanted very much to write and thank you for your kindness in remembering "USS". It was most thoughtful of you both and the patrons of this seafaring center will be most pleased with your gift. The publications you so kindly sent are very difficult to find in this part of the world so we very much appreciate your generosity in sending them to our mariner's center. Thank you ever so much for your efforts on our behalf - they are most welcome. All best wishes to your both this holiday weekend. "

"Ms. Bekki S.: Thank you most kindly for the truly wonderful box of magazines, books AND DVD's that you so kindly sent to us earlier (8/10/2009) this month. The DVD's are always most popular with our patrons, and the nature of the magazines and books is something that will appeal to many of the seafarers and US Navy personnel who use this Center on almost a daily basis. We are most grateful for your thoughtuflness and generosity and note that this is at least the third time that you have mailed to us in the last three months! That certainly ties any record we are keeping! We hope that we are in no way an inconvenience to you and thank you again for your frequent acts of generosity."

"Dear Diane W.: Thank you very much for the latest large parcel that you sent our way - the Washington Post, Reader's Digest and many other publications were very much welcome and appreciated - most are already in circulation here on this small island. These magazines are always very popular with both our US Navy and civilian mariner patrons and we thank you for your generosity in sending them our way. As to your inquiry - VCR tapes, audio cassettes and music CD's would also be most welcome anytime. The island population is quite diverse - four different English speaking cultures here so we are able to find a use for any media that comes our way. We appreciate your continuing interest in our well-being and hope that this finds both you and Don well. "

"Dear Mr./Ms. W: My apologies, I can't quite make out the name on the postal receipt but I did want to write and thank you for your kindness in sending us the "Steven Spielberg Taken" television miniseries. There are many people here on Diego Garcia who will enjoy watching that here in a our Seafarer's Service Center, so I thank your for your generosity and thoughtfulness in sending it out to us. We much appreciate the trouble that you went to to mail it to us, so from all of "USS", our deepest gratitude is sent along to you."

"Ms Sue M. and Operation Paperback, Thank you for the shipment of books and magazines. I received them today. There is a good selection and variety to choose from. I chose a few and placed the rest in our morale tent so that others in my unit can go through them and also have the opportunity to read them. I really appreciate you sending them. Thank you for going through the trouble of collecting them and sending them off. It’s nice to know that we are appreciated for what we do. Thanks Again "

"Thank you for your support. I and my Paratroopers appreciate EVERYTHING you wonderful people do for us. I am the Platoon Sergeant for a 21 man Scout Platoon. We are stationed in a remote part of Western Afghanistan. All I can say is WOW ! I received 19 boxes of books for my Platoon Area. And believe me they are being passed around as quickly as they are read. We have established an area for a library. I may have to put up a building if it continues! We do not have any sort of PX facility here so almost anything is welcome. I do want to tell you personally how much it heartens myself and the rest of my Platoon how much you support us. I have a lot of new Soldiers on their first deployment and you can see it in their faces how much it means to them that America Supports Them. Thank you very much for everything and anything you do for us."

"Thanks very much for your donations."

"I would like to thank Operation Paperback and all of its volunteers for the great program of support they provide. Me and my soldiers will have hours of enjoyment provided by the many books and magazines that have been sent our way. Thank you so much for what you do in support us in our efforts. "

"To everyone from OPB: Hi, my name is Nikki. I'm in the Army and I like acronyms. Thank you for the generous donations of books! Not only did my Soldiers set upon them like a bunch of journalists at a free buffet, but I've been getting visitors. Word travels fast on a little base, and, as soon as word hit that there was a new shipment, there was a line outside my CP. I'd crack open the box, sort them into genres, and try to avoid getting run over by one of my platoon leaders, who I think can actually "sense" new books. The last shipment to arrive, from COL Winterle, was great! I might be a rough and ready Air Assault kind of gal, but even the tough girls need chick lit every now and then! Thank you. This is deployment number four for me, and having something like this to look forward to makes all the difference in the world. Being able to share books with other Soldiers, knowing that it provides a distraction from the daily rigors and monotony of "groundhog day," means more than you'll ever know. You guys are great Americans, and thank you again for all the support. We can't do this job without awesome folks like you!"

"To everyone from OPB (Hi, my name is Nikki. I'm in the Army and I like acronyms), Thank you for the generous donations of books! Not only did my Soldiers set upon them like a bunch of journalists at a free buffet, but I've been getting visitors. Word travels fast on a little base, and, as soon as word hit that there was new shipment, there was a line outside my CP. I'd crack open the box, sort them into genres, and try to avoid getting run over by one of my platoon leaders (who I think can actually "sense" new books). The last shipment to arrive, from COL (R) Winterle, was great! I might be a rough and ready Air Assault kind of gal, but even the tough girls need chick lit every now and then! Thank you. This is deployment number four for me, and having something like this to look forward to makes all the difference in the world. Being able to share books with other Soldiers, knowing that it provides a distraction from the daily rigors and monotony of "groundhog day," means more than you'll ever know. You guys are great Americans, and thank you again for all the support. We can't do this job without awesome folks like you!"

"I have just received your books and I wanted to say thank you on behalf of me and my shipmates. We will be enjoying the variety of books you have provided. Thank you for your donation we appreciate your generosity. "

"Good afternoon Operation Paperback! I wanted to say Thank you :) Today I received a couple of boxes with paperbacks! Thanks!!!! :) Have a great afternoon!"

"Thank you so much for your generous donation of books. The wide variety of novels is a wonderful treat for my Soldiers. We truly appreciate your constant thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your continued support"

"Hello. I just wanted to pass along that we received a box of books from "Friends of the Amherst Library". We appreciate the books and they will be used to the fullest. Thank You. Please remove my name from your directory for Operation Paperback. Take care."

" We at the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group received two shipments of books today and were humbled by your generosity. The selection was fantastic and will continue to entertain our Airmen long after I have returned home. I sincerely appreciate everything that your organization does for our deployed service members and want to remind you that it is our honor and privilege to serve a nation of supportive citizens such as yourself and your staff. Best of luck to everyone at Operation Paperback and please keep up the great work. "

"Greetings! Thank you so much for the books. I received them and appreciate them very much! I will be sure to share with everyone!"

"Thanks so much for sending the boxes of books. I think I have received about 10 boxes now. Just now got email capability in southern Afghanistan – literally today. Living conditions are rather Spartan, but I did manage to write a hand-written note for each box. Hopefully the senders received those. The books have been great and enjoyed by the Marines. Thanks so much "

"I would like to remove my name from your mailing list. Due to my team's mission winding down, we will no longer be able to accept mail. Thank you so much for your support and time. God Bless and God Speed."

"I have received many books through Operation Paperback. Please take my name and address off the mailing list, as I have too many. Thanks again!"

"I just wanted to write and let you know we received our first shipment of books. As soon as I opened the box, the other K-9 handlers were diving in, it took less than a minute for the box to empty. The candy at the bottom was a welcome treat as well. On behalf of the Mad Dog Kennels, I want to extend our gratitude. I wish you could have seen the smiles on the soldiers and sailors faces when they saw a box full of books. Christmas definately came early for the dog teams. We hope to receive more books if possible, as I know we will read all of these in short order. Again, thank you for the support you have shown. Receiving packages from home reminds us that there are people out there who have not forgotten about us. Thank you and God bless. "

"Dear Mrs. H, Thank you for the box of military books I received in the mail today. For me reading is a great diversion that can go on any patrol or mission in my pants cargo pocket to absorb when down time does come. I brought several books on deployment in my tough box, but after several months overseas, my supplies were beginning to run low. I shared several of the books with the other men in my platoon. I know gathering all the books, putting them in boxes and placing them in the mail takes time, energy and effort and I am thankful to be the recipient of your generosity. If you find any classic novels, biographies or poetry books, I would be grateful to receive them and read them. Again, thank you for all the acts of kindness you send overseas. "

"Dear Mr. Tarpey Thank you for your very complete letter describing the Operation Paperback program. I am so grateful to you for explaining the program to me and for the opportunity to help our soldiers in such a positive way. I have signed up as a volunteer and am also contacting other librarians to see if they would like to help in this effort. I hope you will let me know if there is anything else that I could do related to this project or to any other effort in which you think I might be helpful. "

"Good afternoon and Greetings from Afghanistan!! Thank you so much for the box of books that you sent to myself and my troops. They are greatly appreciated as they provide a nice distraction from deployment life. "

"Your box of books arrived today and I just wanted to take a minute and Thank you for your support it is very much appreciated by everyone. We have quite a few Soldiers that look forward to the books arriving, this is a great program. Thanks again for thinking of us, we are almost completed with our tour here also, the last will be home in December for Christmas, can't wait to get back home to a normal schedule again. Take Care. "

"From all the service member and the USO staff here we would like to thank Ms. Haywood, Bruce and Beth and Operation Paperback for this donation. The troops just loved seeing our reading area stocked with books. It definitely helps pass time and create the peaceful environment they are looking for to at least try to forget that they are at war. Again Thank You All for your donation and God Bless."

"I wish to thank you for the books that you have sent me. They were a nice surprise. We had been sent to another FOB for several months and when we returned here, there were some boxes with my name on them. So my platoon and I were able to find some books to read, especially since we are in the 1 month window to deploy back to the states. A lot of us have sent our personal effects home already So for some of us we can enjoy a diversion or at least a half a one. So from me and my platoon THANK YOU for your support."

"I just wanted to let you know we received the children's books sent from volunteers of Operation Paperback in Dunstable, MA 01827. Thank you so much for helping us to expand our children’s collection! "

"I’ll be heading home from deployment in just a few days and wanted to thank you one last time for your extraordinary generosity and support while I and my chapel team was down range. I just received boxes of books from both Bobbie G. and Sue H., and these wonderful selections will be passed on to troops going into harm’s way as they traverse the troop processing station I serve at. The wonderful contributions of your organization and its generous members have meant so much to so many people at my base during this deployment. Many thanks for the tremendous outpouring of support, love, and literature!"

"On behalf of our battalion let me thank you for your kind donation of assorted books for our soldiers here in Korea. We are currently in our fifth month of a twelve month deployment to Korea and we are all missing our families we left behind. I am the Executive Officer of the Battery and I am very grateful for all your support from back home. Thank you so much and I hope soldiers everywhere continue to have the opportunity to benefit from your generosity."

"Thank you,for the books. We received them today (quick delivery!) and I have placed them in our crew library. We are Texas-based crew and are in the fourth month of a six month deployment. Our ship, USS SCOUT, is a minesweeper and we operate in the Central Arabian (Persian) Gulf. So you can put some faces to our name, I’ve attached a picture of our crew taken on the fantail of our ship during a recent visit by R. Lee Ermey, the actor. Our homeport is Ingleside, Texas and we are looking forward to returning to the Lone Star state soon. We appreciate your time and efforts at Mustang Engineering to send us these books. It helps to make our efforts worthwhile when we know the folks at home are thinking of us."

"I just recieved Bertha's Operation Paperback shipment. It was full of many great books and I can not wait to dig in. Your support keeps soldiers like me going. especially through the hard times. Thanks a bunch."

"Thank you so much, all the fine volunteers of Operation Paperbck, for the wonderful program that you have set up. I have shared many of the books that were sent to me with sailors from my squadron and I have donated many books to the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Library. Also, next week we are scheduled to pull into the United Arab Emirates. The USO has set up a fine library there and I will also donate some of the books so that other sailors can enjoy them when their ships pull in. I will also partake in reading a couple of the books in the collection. Thank you so much!!! "

"I have received many boxes filled with paperback books since I wrote to you over a month ago. I am sorry that it has taken so long to write back to you, but I have been pretty busy. I appreciate everyone's support. and now I have just enough books to get me through the rest of my deployment. Thank you so very much again."

"One more box just received, from Michael B. Please pass on my thanks to him!"

" My last thank-you note to your organization before I pack up and head for the States! I’ve just received two very wonderful shipments of books from Ryan F. and wanted to thank him for his generosity. Please convey my appreciation to him and to everyone in your extraordinary group that makes this mission possible! "

"Thanks alot for the shipment of books. You guys are doing great things out there! "

"Just a quick note to let Selina F. know I received the books you sent through Operation Paperback in Dunstable, MA. Thanks for thinking of our battalion. We are actively engaged in improving the conditions here in Iraq, and appreciate your sending us a little mental diversion from the rigors of the battlefield."

"I have received many great books recently thanks to your efforts. My soldiers and I have all enjoyed them a great deal. We were passing around the same 15 or so books and now we have our own little library to choose from. However, we will be leaving Iraq soon and I am asking that you stop sending books to my address. I am really bad about giving thanks to people that have sent me packages. I really do appreciate it though. It means a lot to all of us. THANK YOU! "

"How truly blessed we are to have Chrissy and Operation Paperback supporting our troops. I personally cannot thank you all enough for your sacrifices to bring an extra special touch of HOME to our deployed soldiers who are out of our reach. First please let me extend my deepest appreciation for your continued support and messages of strength and love from home during this deployment to IRAQ. I know our soldiers anxiously await for mail to arrive. I took over as the (Family Readiness Group Leader) FRG Leader for our unit at the end of December and have been settling into this task at hand. It will be my pleasure to answer any questions and work with you in the support of our soldiers. Currently, our troops are scheduled to return between the end of May and early June. The official cutoff date for mailing packages is set at April 24th, as any mail posted past this date may not be received. I hope you have the new zip code that was changed in November. However, for verification please let me know if you have not received notification. The soldiers here continue to work and provide relief, security and comfort to those in the community where they serve. I have provided a few links below about our soldiers and the wonderful job they do while helping others. Starting next month we will begin preparing the barracks and gathering items for our welcome home packages for our soldiers to return. Many volunteers and sponsors are working together to assist in providing letters of support and contributions upon their return and we are excited that the end is arriving soon. Please let me know if there is any further information you would like or if you have any additional questions as I will be happy to answer them."

"I received a package from you today. And, I wish to say thank you. I can't begin to tell you how much books help us pass through the time out here in Iraq. Personally, my job is not hard, but as a father, being away from my daughter is the hardest thing I've ever done. And, I do everything I can to make time go by faster so that I can hold her again. Thank you so much, from all us in our platoon. "

"I just received a box of books from Ilva Sue M. and wanted to say thank you to her and all the other volunteers behind your very wonderful organization! I’ll soon be returning home, but will distribute each and every book I don’t take with me to other troops. You all have been an inspiration and a source of great goodness to many people down range with me, and I thank you again for your kindness and generosity!"

"I just wanted to let you know that we got your shipment of books a couple of days ago. We absolutely loved them! I already left a thank you note on your site, but wanted to make sure I sent an email so that you would know that we got the books. You really made our day. Thanks a Million. "

"Thank you, Chrissy...we really have a bountiful supply of paperback books now. Thank you ever so much. "

"I wanted very much to write and thank, Sally and Selina F., and the employees of TDP Customer Service and United Concordia for the large box of books we received today. We are most grateful for your kind donation and thank you for your generosity and kindness. The books will be placed in a paperback library that serves to meet some of the needs of sailors, airmen and merchant mariners assigned to the small island of Diego Garcia which is "smack dab" in the middle of the Indian Ocean(a long way from here to anywhere). We are most grateful for your thoughtfulness and ask that you accept our deepest gratitude for your noteworthy efforts on our behalf. We are most grateful. With all best wishes in this rather difficult New Year."

"Dear Ms Truett, Your book donation was received July 24th at the Camp Schwab USO in Okinawa, Japan. Thank you, the books will make a nice addition to our reading room."

"Dear Ms. Ferris Very much want to write and thank you for the large box of both books and many magazines that you kindly sent our way on July 25th at some serious expense. We were most grateful to receive the box just this week and have put the books and magazines on display for our many seafaring patrons who daily visit this seafaring center in the middle of the Indian Ocean. This is a new service to our customers and many of them really appreciate it because the local library receives few periodicals and there is no Stars and Stripes on this island. We very much appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity and thank you for thinking of "USS". "

"Received a shipment of books from Mr. Don W. the other day, wanted to say Thanks for all of the support, it has been a great experience. Thanks so much for all you guys do."

"We just received your care package of books and we just arrived in Iraq. It was very nice of you all to send the books. It really helps on down time. Thank you very much. "

"On behalf of myself, Chaplain (CPT) V., and the entire 50th Signal Battalion, thank you so much for your latest shipment of books. We truly appreciate the kindness of volunteers such as yourself(s)who work hard for our troops in harm's way!"

"Friends of the Amherst Library and Disabled Veterans of Loraiu (OH), Thank you so much for your generous donation of books. The wide variety of novels is a wonderful treat for my Soldiers. We truly appreciate your constant thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your continued support! "

"Mrs. Bernstein, Thank you very much for the books you sent me."

"Katy L. and Operation Paperback, Thank you for the shipment of books and magazines. I received them today. There is a good selection and variety to choose from. I chose a few and placed the rest in our morale tent so that others in my unit can go through them and also have the opportunity to read them. I really appreciate you sending them. Thank you for going through the trouble of collecting them and sending them off. It's nice to know that we are appreciated for what we do. Thanks Again."

"We just got 4 more boxes. I think that is enough to hold us for quite a while. Thank you again for all your help."

"Thank you for the books you sent to my FOB earlier this week. I have passed a couple of the text out to friends, but mostly I have placed them on the crate next to my bunk and in my MRAP so I can always have a book to read when the day's mission is complete. Thanks in advance for the generous books I have already received and for the books you may send in the future. Myself and a few friends go through the titles quite quickly, so we look forward to receiving more classic novels, biographies, history titles and poetry books."

"Hello. I'd just like to write to pass on my thanks to those volunteer senders who have taken the time to pick books off my request list and send them to me via Amazon, or another book vendor, directly. I'm afraid they have a habit of not putting the sender on the packages, so if you could let them know their picks have been excellent, I would very much appreciate it. "

"Jane and Bruce, Thank you for the books!! I have shared them with my fellow Soldiers and we are all enjoying them."

"I would like to take the time to tell you how much we appreciate the books that you guys had sent to us. We have been so overwhelmed with books that we need to cease shipments. The response to our request was just awesome. The address that you have sent them to is: ****** Thank you guys for everything. Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated. You guys really made one of our Chaplains wishes come true. "

"Please let Don W. know that we received the donation of books today. Thanks for thinking of our troops. It's hot today. 129 degrees and it's humid. Thank goodness for generators and air conditioning!"

"In the last month, I have received numerous packages from volunteers, and it has been absolutely wonderful. I now have a nearly complete Clive Cussler collection, an astoundingly full Piers Anthony collection (considering the man's written nearly 150 books), and my W.E.B. Griffin collection has grown as well. The other books in the packages have been very nice as well. I've picked up several new authors and started a library for the company. Thanks so much to all your volunteers. It is making this tour go by so much quicker. God bless you all."

"Hello, I just wanted to let you know that in the last two days I have received 3 boxes from Ms. Chrissy H., Heather W. and Jene A. Thank you very much. Two of these are assisting me greatly in my medical studies. The other box was wiped out by my fellow soldiers before I even got to go through it. Thank you very much."

"Dear Gigi And Kent: Wonderful to hear from you again and thank you most kindly for the lastest "box o' magazines" that you so kindly sent to us in this week's mail. It was an excellent selection and we are most appreciative that you have chosen to remember "USS". Couldn't help but notice the Boston magazine with the lengthy article on the Red Sox... always most welcome and interesting to those of us who call the Bay Area home... and there are many of us here who do. Again, our thanks for your thoughtfulness. Best wishes to you both."

"Marilynne, Just wanted to send a quick Thank you for the books you had sent. With a Company our size, everyone always finds something interesting to read. It is so great to receive all that we have, there are quite the range of interests in the Company and it's rough keeping them all happy and entertained. Thanks for your help, giving the troops that outlet. Appreciate the support, we are done counting months and are close enough to start counting the days. Looks like we will have some home for Thanksgiving and the rest just before Christmas. We are all holding out hope that the up coming elections will be the start to a good future here in Afghanistan. Again, thanks for your support and we will be home soon. Take care."

"Thank you for the books. I received them and am reading them as well as sharing them with other Soldiers. I appreciate all you are doing to support us here."

"Wow!!!! I received 10 medium boxes today. I stocked up the racks with three for now. This is great. Thank you so much. They came from Malaga Cove / Friends of the Library."

"Hi my name is Yuting K. and I have signed up to receive books. Did I get a lot of books. I share with my fellow soldiers and we have a book shelf, but there's just too many books. I appreciate your great service, but I would like to remove my name from the site. Thank you again for all you provided."

"Thanks so very much. The Troopers and Officers are really going to be surprised and I tell you they are all very thankful."

"Dear Binnie: Thank you ever so much for that large box of magazines that you shipped to us on the 24th of last month. Always very much appreciated and we always welcome contemporary magazines because there is no source for that on this island. The magazines will be enjoyed by many of our seafaring patrons here at the Center. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and generosity in posting them to "USS". All the very best."

"Dear Ms. Laura S: Very much wanted to write and thank you for the very large box of books, DVD's, magazines and more that you were so kind to send us a few weeks back. The selection was excellent and our seafaring patrons here at Diego Garcia will very much enjoy the "care package" that you so thoughtfully sent to "USS". Here on DG, we don't have access to modern magazines - even the local library has almost none, so we are very dependent upon the kindness of strangers like yourself for our reading pleasure. We greatly appreciate your generosity. Just as an aside, while working at the World Trade Center from 1993 to 1995, I briefly lived on the upper East Side of New York, somewhere around 80th Street, and may be familiar with your part of the city. What I REALLY enjoyed most was the proximity to Central Park. I think you reside in a great part of the city and hope this finds you well. Thanks again and all the best. "

"Thank you for your books. We received 2 boxes in the last day and they are already being issued out to the troops. Thank you again for your support. It really means a lot to the men and women here in Kabul."

"I have receive three (one of which was large) boxes of books in the last several days. Thank you."

"Dear Priscila Very much wanted to write and thank you for the large box of excellent DVD's that you kindly sent to us a while back and arrived here at the Center just yesterday. We serve a large number of both merchant marines and military personnel and these videos will allow us to entertain them well during their brief opportunities to relax here at the seafarer's center. Much appreciate your generosity and thank you again for thinking of "USS"."

"I just received two more boxes from your organization. These were from Dunstable, MA and Royal Oak, MI. Each time we get a package it's like a bunch of ants coming out to get food. The office has people filing through here to get a look, to pick up, or just to comment on ones they had read and forgot how good they were. It's definitely uplifting to receive. Thank you for it all. "

"I received some magazines from Sally D. today. Thank you very much for the magazines. I really appreciate it!! Thanks again for supporting us that are deployed. "

"I just wanted to finally get back to you and say thank you for the support and books provided by your network. To date, in just over a month, I and my unit have received books from 6 different sources from all over the US, for a total of approximately 200 books. These books provide a boost to our morale, and serve as a reminder of how much support remains back home for deployed US Forces. Keep up the great work. Thank you!"

"Dear Binnie: Just a short note to thank you again for your kindness in sending such an interesting supply of magazines which arrived here just yesterday. We have several seafarers here from the Baltimore area so we think of this as a gift with them in mind. We very much appreciate your going to the time and expense to mail these out to us and they are most deeply appreciated by our many patrons and seafaring clientele. Thank you again for your thoughfulness."

"Mr & Mrs D James - I just wanted to write a thank you for sending us the video "Blackbeard the Pirate," which arrived with yesterday's mail from the US. We operate a multi-service center here in the Indian Ocean, and welcome both seafarers and service members every day of the year. I am sure that many of our regular patrons will very much enjoy viewing the video you so kindly sent to us. Thank you very much for your generosity and all the very best. Tom U. "

"Just sent off a few notes to the folks who sent the books, we could use one or 2 more deliveries. We are adding another group of people over the next month or so. Thanks again."

" Well, you've definitely given us some mental escape!!! We just received two more boxes from you, one from the Tampa library system and one from MA. Thank you."

"I recently received a box of books sent by Don Wickstrand. It was a very nice selection and will provide my soldiers with several hours of distraction. Thank you."

"I have received two large boxes of books, 2 smaller boxes of books, and 1 envelope with 3 books in it. Thank you."

"Hello from Iraq, If you are reading this e-mail you have most likely sent a personal or "Any Soldier" care package to me or those in the 84th Engineer Battalion over the past 9 months. First, thank you for the outstanding support, prayers and packages. Second, our deployment is drawing to a close, and I must ask you to mail no packages after September 15. I cannot guarantee that anything mailed after that date will make it through the mail system before we head back to beautiful Hawaii. This means that you'll have to hurry to package that gold bullion you've been meaning to send for some time now. If you are part of a team that wishes to continue supporting Soldiers, I have included Chaplain Peppers' e-mail. He will gladly receive your continued support. Contact him directly for a correct mailing address. Again, on behalf of the officers, NCOs and Soldiers of the 84th Engineers, thank you for your faithful support. With less than 90 days left in theater we covet your prayers for safety, success and a joyful reunion with our families and friends."

"Just a quick note to say thanks for the books that got handed down to us from another unit and thanks I took one! God bless you all! "

"Chrissy, Andrea and All -->> I've just finished one of your books. Do appreciate all the support from home. It comes in many different ways but everything we receive is deeply appreciated. I'm the senior liaison officer for the Prime Minister's National Operations Center here in Baghdad. In my fourth month (on my second tour) and depart @ Mother's Day 2010. Looking at our library, at least I don't have to worry about running out of books. Best wishes."

"I received another box of books today, thank you."

"We love receiving books and have so many interested in reading. It's a great break from reality, an easy way to escape for a few hours when you have the time. Thank You so much for all of your support. It is greatly appreciated. We are looking forward to finishing our tour here and getting back to the states. It has been too long. Thanks again."

"I wanted to send a quick note saying that we received your most recent package of books and really appreciate your support. We look forward to heading home in the next two months! "

"I wanted to send a note to say that we received the latest shipment of books from the Patrons of the Summer Gazebo Readings. We really appreciate your support! "

"I just wanted to say thank you for the books. We just received your shipment and it was greatly appreciated. Reading has always had a way of taking people's minds off what they are doing and your support in doing this helps us all along. We'll keep devouring the books as you keep sending them. Thank you for all your help and support. "

"Thanks Chrissy, The Marines and Soliders out here really appreciate your help."

"to Kathy L. D. and Operation Paperback employees: Thank you so much. I just received your package today and I was thrilled to find Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I love fantasy books so much but it seems like all I have been getting is murder mystery books and I don't like those. So I was very happy to get this box. Thank you so much for sending them. It really made my day. "

"to Faye T. and Operation Paperback workers: Thank you! I got the first package about three weeks ago. I hadn't gotten a chance to write to y'all till now. I thank you for the books they will definitely help around here. Thanks for all that you do."

"Please thank the following folks for their book donation to the Camp Schwab USO, in Okinawa, Japan: Association for the Help of Retarded Children and Art and Doris A. from Zim, MN. "

"Thank you ever so much! I have now received three shipments of books from your organization and they are greatly appreciated! The most recent was a shipment of westerns from Binnie Syril Braunstein. The reading material is a very welcome escape from our work! May your families and work be blessed!"

"Hello. I just received your package of books in the mail today. Thank you so much. I will be passing the books out tomorrow. A lot of people are really excited about the generous contribution you gave to all of us. Keep up the hard work. You are definitely making a difference to a lot of soldiers. Thanks again. "

"I just received a package of books today and the assortment of books was fantastic. The timing of the package was perfect because I'm having a lot more free time on my hands lately, thank you!"

"Thanks for the support. Myself and the Unit were so grateful for your support to us and many others."

"Thank you so much for the wonderful books. My troops and I try to find time so that we can get a little reading done while we're here in IRAQ. There is a book case filled with all different kinds of books. I appreciate all your help. Have a great day!"

"Elin and Operation Paperback, Thanks you for the shipment of books. I received them today. There is a good selection and variety to choose from. I choose a few and placed the rest in our morale tent so that others in my unit can go through them and also have the opportunity to read them. I really appreciate you sending them. Thank you for going through the trouble of collecting them through your Church. It’s nice to know that we are appreciated for what we do."

"Thank you for the military books you sent to my COP earlier this week. I have passed a couple of the text out to friends, but mostly I have kept them for myself by placing them on the crate next to my bunk and in my MRAP, so I can always have a book to read when the day's mission is complete. Thanks in advance for the generous books I have already received and for the books you may send in the future. Myself and a few friends go through the titles quite quickly, so we look forward to receiving more classic novels, biographies and poetry books."

"Calling all supporters! I sincerely thank you for the support that you have provided and/or continue to provide to my Marines and Sailors. Alas, my journey out here must end. We have worked our unit to make it possible to reduce in size. That removes the requirement for a company headquarters while we reduce to a detachment size of about 75 Marines and 1 Sailor. I feel terrible for leaving part of my company behind, but some of us have to go or we won't ever get out of this place! Although, I have spent the better part of two years here, I think I am due to relax for a bit (probably not likely). "

"Dear Operation Paperback Supporters, This e-mail is to let you know that your shipment of paperback books to the USS Cape St. George (CG 71) arrived safely. The books will be placed in our ship's library for use by all of the ship's crew. We are very grateful for your continued support. Blessings! "

"Dear Sir/Ma'am, Thank you for your generous donation of books. We would like to thank everyone who volunteered and donated to the cause that provided us avid readers with much entertainment. Myself personally when I find a good book, I stay up late into the night because I don't want to miss a minute of the story. I always find myself so enraptured with books that I tend to feel like I was back at home sitting at the local Barnes & Noble or at one of the other bookstores. Reading is a favorite pass time for many of us here since there are no movies and dust gets everywhere so electronics go bad fast. But a book never fails you even in a dust storm which we have many of here. The novels also fit perfectly in our side cargo pocket of our uniforms. Thank you again for thinking of us and bringing us some job and a world for escape even if it's just for a few hours."

"Operation Paperback and "The Book Cellar" New York, New York, On behalf of D Company 1-1148 Infantry, I would like to extend our thanks for the books and magazines you sent. The package got here fine and a few books even went out on the road that same day. It is nice to be able to read a book or magazine to take our minds somewhere else for a while. We appreciate your support for the mission and for the soldiers. Hope this e-mail finds all of you well. Take care. p.s. Unfortunately you sent those books to a die hard Red Sox fan. No worries though, we still have a few Yankees fans in the company. GO SOX!!!"

"I just wanted to email you and thank you for the generous amount of books you have shipped. I received the package this evening."

"Thank you so much for all the books. I have been keeping busy with them and I also have been sharing them with my group. They make our time go by faster. I would like to say thank you very much for your generosity and I appreciate it. Thanks again,"

"I would like to thank everyone for sending all the boxes of books. I received 3 boxes so far. Thank you from Taji, Iraq."

"Folks, Thanks for the box of books from the Friends of the Mahopac Public Library in Mahopac NY. We are in the middle of a major exercise with a 300+ rotation of troops every two weeks. Needless to say the Library is down a shelf of fiction, mystery, science fiction and fantasy. So... your books are a "godsend." Thanks again for all the support."

"Operation Paperback, Hi. Thank you so much for the packages with books. I just received it. What a great treat for me! I can't thank you enough for support and it's people like you who lift our spirits and boost morale. Attached are recent pictures of me taken on Easter Sunday. I'm serving on a forward-deployed ship, which means we're out to sea often for the majority of the year and we tend to run multi-operations often simultaneously daily. I am proud to serve. All the best to you."

"I received your shipment of 7 books. I'm pretty excited as this will be the first book I read. The selection was perfect and I can't wait to start. Several of the other books were snatched up quickly by other Airmen. Thanks again, I greatly appreciate your support and wish you all the very best."

"David & Lee, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your book donations. I received your box today and I brought them over to the waiting area where I am sure they will be gone by nightfall."

"ON 8-1-09, SGT David M. wrote: Thank you, I have received three boxes of books from your organization and supporters. All three boxes have been picked over and are being enjoyed. We are currently in the process of building a library where the books can be returned to for others to enjoy. Thank you again. We do appreciate it very much."

"On 8-1-09, Ralph B. wrote: Thank you very much for your support and help. Any and all distractions at the end of the day make being away that much more bearable."

"On 8-1-09, SGT. David M. wrote: Mr. T.: First, your box of books has arrived and been thoroughly picked over. When the pack of book vultures has had their fill, they will be returned to a library we are building so that others may enjoy them and some quiet time. Thank you very much. I assure you your generous gift is being enjoyed and if I can can pry them away from everyone, LOL, I will get to enjoy them too. "

"In early July received a box of books packed by Beth and Brian Grove. Since then I have distributed batches of these books to my soldiers who are at several locations in Iraq. We appreciate your gift. Thank you."

"Please send a "Thank You" to Jamie V. for the book donation to the Camp Schwab USO in Okinawa, Japan. Thanks."

"Greetings, I have received your shipment of books. I cannot thank you enough for providing such a service to the troops. We truly do appreciate your gratitude. I have passed around all of the books and it seems like everyone always finds something that they will enjoy. I am personally reading 3 books I cannot put down. "

" On 7-31-09, James N. wrote: Wanted to say thanks again. I have received a few boxes since I last emailed. I am overwhelmed and pleased at the support from the people from around the country that send books. Keep up the great job you do. Thanks again."

"On 7-31-09, SGT Thomas T. wrote: Thank you Very Much for the donation of the Books. I appreciate them very much and I am sure the other troops will too. I received the box that you sent. Yours was one of four boxes of books that I have received thus far. I picked out a few of them, and donated the rest of them to the MWR facility here. They have some shelves there that were kind of bare. Again, Thank you for your support, and the books. "

"Thank you very much for all of the books that were sent to me. I and my troops enjoyed reading them. When I return overseas, I will contact you again and have more books sent out so my Marines and I can enjoy them."

"On 7-29-09, SPC Ciji L. wrote: I would like to thank you for all the books you have sent. I am redeploying soon, and I need my information removed from your mailing list. Thank you!"

"The current shipment of books that I just received is greatly appreciated. We will continue to read the wonderful books you all have supplied us up until now. "

"ON 7-29-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Binnie: Thank you ever so much for your second shipment of magazines to USSDG in as many months. We are now sharing these with the island community (the Chapel, Medical Clinic and island Library) because the Operation Paperback response has been so ....overwhelming. We thank you most kindly for your repeat donation and are most grateful for your generosity. All the best from all of "USS"."

"On 7-29-09, Thom U. wrote: We are now busy keeping the island supplied with periodicals...the island library, medical clinic and chapel. Our thanks to one and all at Operation Paperback for the many, many mailings to "USS" over the last two months..and more!"

"On 7-30-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Dan and Shirley: Just received this week - thank you most kindly for the very large box of paperback books which you shipped to us on the 16th of last month from Red Lion, Pennsylvania. These books will be put to very good use by sailors and civilians living on the small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. We are most grateful for your kindness and generosity and are very appreciative of the efforts you went to in shipping this "care package" to "USS". Kindly rest assured they will be put to good use. All the best from all of "USS" here on DG."

"Ms. Bernstein: I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the members of Temple Bat Yam for their book donations. Hundreds of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines transit through Ali Al Salem Air Base on a daily basis. They must wait hours upon hours if not days to transit back home or into Iraq. It is a great comfort and diversion to have your books available to read. On their behalf I thank you all."

"On 7-27-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Ms. W. Very much wanted to write and thank you and the Friends of the Chesire Publlc Library for your generous donation of paperback books, DVD's and magazines - many of them as a matter of fact - that were received here over the weekend at Diego Garcia in the ******. The June 23rd posting of this donation to USS is most deeply appreciated and will provide our patrons with entertaining diversions which I think they will very much enjoy. We are without a Stars and Stripes bookstore here on the island, and neither the Ship's Store nor the local public library stocks current publications or periodicals, so this generosity is very much appreciated by many here on this island. We thank you again for your generosity and appreciate your remembrance of "USS". All the best."

"On 7-24-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Pablo and Charlene Just wanted to take a moment of your time to thank you for sending us the box of used DVD's which we just most gratefully received here at the USS Center at Diego Garcia today. That was very thoughtful of you both and we wanted to write and thank you for your kindness in mailing so many movies to us here - we will most certainly enjoy them and thank you for your generosity in sending them to us. Just as an aside, I attended Mackinac College on Mackinaw Island in 1968-1969 and was wondering if it was anywhere close to Waterford...but I think the Mackinac postal code was 49759...which means it would be far from Waterford. Thank you nonetheless and best wishes from all of "USS" to all of you. "

"On 7-23-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Ms. V. Just wanted to take a bit of your time to thank you for the kindness and generosity in sending us those Reader's Digest magazines earlier this month. That was most thoughtful of you and deeply appreciated by many of us here on Diego Garcia. While we have alot to see and do here on DG, we don't have much in the way of current or contemporary periodicals and your gift will be much appreciated by those merchant mariners and US Navy personal here who use our Seamen's Service Center. We thank you for your efforts on our behalf and hope that this note finds you well in *******...one of our favorite towns in Northern California. My best."

"On 7-22-09, Nathan A. wrote: Thank you very much for sending me the books. I’m enjoying the ones I haven’t read before and passing the rest on to others. "

"On 7-22-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Mrs. W.: Thank you kindly for your letter of July 6 and the many magazines which accompanied that letter to "USS" here at Diego Garcia. It was nice to hear from you again and we much appreciated all the publications which are now in circulation here on the island. You have been a very strong supporter of our request for reading material and we are most grateful to you for that. Thank you again for your support and our best regards to both you and Don. "

"On 7-21-09, Sivi S. wrote: Good morning, Just to let you know I received both packages from you safely and I'm really enjoying reading all the books (of course I share). Thank you very much. "

"On 7-20-09, SGT John M. wrote: I have received all book shipments without any problems. We appreciate getting them. Thanks."

"On 7-6-09, MAJ Lashaunda J. wrote: Thank you for your kindness and generosity. The soldiers appreciate all the reading material that we've have been receiving over the last few months. At this time, we are going to have to discontinue the receiving of books. We have run out of space at our MWR and work areas to store the books. Thankfully, books are now covering all of the book shelves. We have even been able to send some of the books out to areas that do not have a MWR. Again, thanks! "

"On 7-6-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Don and Diane: Very much wanted to write and thank you for the large parcel of magzines that you sent out to us on the 22nd of last month...a review of our postal files indicated that was the second parcel of magazines that you sent us last month - and that was very much appreciated! We now have a goodly supply of magazines in large part thanks to the kindness and generosity of people like yourselves and we very much want to write and tell you how very much that is appreciated by all of us here on Diego Garcia. We are most grateful for your thoughtfulness. With all best wishes."

"On 6-30-09, 1LT Kellen H. wrote: Ms. S., All of Bravo Battery 4-5 would like to thank you and Operation Paperback for your support during our deployment. The books, candy, newspapers and magazines have been immeasurably beneficial to the morale of our soldiers, especially during our field exercises when we've had to fill hours of waiting. It helps to know there are people back home thinking of us when we're working in a country that is new to almost all of our soldiers. Our time in Korea is growing is short, and we are all looking forward to returning home. As such, we would like to request you suspend sending us the books. I will definitely put our relief in contact with you and your organization. I know they will appreciate what you do just as much as we have. Again, thank you all so much."

"Onn 6-30-09, SSG James R. wrote: I am with ******. Our unit is currently deployed to Korea. We are here for one year without our families. Our Command has received numerous books from your organization, which they distribute to the Soldiers. I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate it, and how much your support means to us. For a brief moment the books help take our mind off missing our families, and the day to day stresses we deal with. Thank You!"

"On 7-4-09. 1LT Renato D. wrote: Thank you so much for all of the books that you and the volunteers sent to us. We really appreciate it very much. I received the sixth or seventh box yesterday and all of the books are great. I think the books that we have should be enough for the entire tour. I think I counted about almost 30 books per box, so that's about 210 books, which should be more than enough for our small battalion to read. Again, thank you so much for all of your dedication to help out and make our lives a little more comfortable and also thank you for giving us an escape during the lonely nights. Thank you so much and God bless you all."

"On 7-3-09, CPT Ruchika C. wrote: Beverly B: Thank you for the books and your support! It means a lot to me. It makes it worth doing all that we do here. I love the Suze Orman book. It could not have been better timing to receive that book. I have started reading it already and I received the package last night. I do have some tough decisions to make and I am hoping that this book will be helpful in the process. Thanks again and God Bless!"

"On 7-1-09, PFC Ashley R. wrote: Hello All, This is PFC R from the **** at TF Gateway. Your volunteers sent me books from the Operation Paperback organization and I just wanted to say thank you so much for all of them. It helps make time go by so much for the personnel that get stuck here in Kuwait before their flights go out. Again, thank you so much for the support. "

"On 7-1-09, PFC Ashley R. wrote: Ms. A., First off I would like to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the books you sent. When I put young adult into the description of the type of books I like, not many people know what that means. But the books you sent were perfect! I’ve wanted to start the A-List series for a while now, so it was great to get those as well. I love the TV show Gossip Girl, but have never read the books, so I’m SOOOO looking forward to it. Any books that are like these are wonderful, I would appreciate it so much! Again, thank you so much for your support, your package definitely made my day. "

"On 7-1-09, PFC Ashley R. wrote: I just wanted to say thank you so much for the books that you sent me. I did receive them and they were all so great. I keep some of the books, but most of the time I donate them to the personnel that are flying through here and get stuck for a few days. Reading helps the time go by. Again, thank you so much for the support, we appreciate it so much! "

"On 7-1-09, PFC Ashley R. wrote: Ms. H, I just wanted to say thank you so much for the books that you sent me. I did receive them and they were all so great. I keep some of the books, but most of the time I donate them to the personnel that are flying through here and get stuck for a few days. Reading helps the time go by. Again, thank you so much for the support, we appreciate it so much! "

"On 6-28-09, CPT Ruchika C. wrote: Selina: Thank you so much for all the books you sent. I have put them in our library for everyone to enjoy. It is the little things in life that matter here and these books are a great way to get away from the tasks here. I will be reading quite a few of them. The combination of books was great! Thanks so much again. Take care."

"On 6-29-09, Marie B. wrote: Hello, I received the books. I just want to say thank you for sending me books. I love to read and I am enjoying reading them and sharing them with the other soldiers. Once again thank you for the books. "

"On 6-28-09, Cynthia C. wrote: Just wanted to say Thank You to Kris E. for the book shipment. The selection was great!!! "

"On 6-28-09, SSgt Maceo S. wrote: Hello I really appreciate your support for sending the books & magazines. Your kindness makes being away from home a little better. "

"On 6-28-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Ms. B.: I very much wanted to send a note to you and thank you for the box of magazines and books which arrived here a few days ago from your Operation Paperback branch in Stephens City. Here on Diego Garcia we don't have access to most current magazines, so when Operation Paperback sends us a "care package" like yours, it is always much appreciated. We frequently share our parcels with the "Chapel in the Palms" which makes an effort to distribute reading materials to different parts of this small island community when it becomes available. We are most grateful for your donation and thank you for the time, trouble and expense that you went to in sharing these current periodicals with "USS". All the best from all of "USS" here on Diego Garcia."

"On 6-28-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Ms. G.: On behalf of the Seamen's Service Center here at Diego Garcia, I wanted to write and thank you for the kindness of the "care package" which arrived from Mountain Home, Arkansas just yesterday. The inclusion of books, magazines, snack bars, candy and tea bags is very much appreciated by all the military and civilian mariner personnel who call this island "home" at this point in time. Diego Garcia is thought to be a "hardship posting" by many of the people stationed here so gifts like this are most welcome and appreciated. We thank you again for your kindness and very much hope that all is well at the Senior Citizens Center - it was most kind of you to remember "USS"(United Seamen's Service Center)."

"ON 6-27-09, Col Michael S. wrote: Well, I am horribly embarrassed to have to write this. I did make a good-faith effort to get everyone a personal letter. However, leave, TDY, and an increasing work load have kind of precluded me from doing it. We got some boxes of books in several months back and I simply have not had the time to write everyone. Please relay my apologies to all the kind folks who were thoughtful enough to send the books-they are much appreciated and please forgive my discourtesy in failing to thank everyone personally."

"On 12-11-08, Col Michael S. wrote: Hello and a big THANK YOU to all the folks who sent us books! The Salah Ad Din Provincial Reconstruction Team really appreciates your thoughtfulness! I have a thank you note on the way to all the donors, but the mail may be slow due to the holidays, and I wanted to express our thanks. Again, we are grateful for your thinking of us!"

"On 6-27-09, CPT Jason W. wrote: Good Morning, I just wanted to drop a note to say thank you for the books!! I just received them, and was happy to find that I hadn't read most of them before. I know I will enjoy them, and I will also make them available to all my troops in the S-1 Shop. Thank you for all your continued support and prayers!! "

"On 6-26-09, SPC Refino P. wrote: Howdy (:p) We are just doing our job m'am. Honest it's just our job. Yes, the books lend a great reprieve from what's going on with family issues at home and whatever else that has been nagging at our minds. It's a mini vacation. I don't mean to laugh at the howdy or make fun of you but you are one of the few people that use that greeting. I find it funny. But I wanted to write back to thank you once again but this time it came from my brother Onate. So thank you from us."

"On 6-25-09, Marie B. wrote: I love reading the books. Thank you so much for supporting us here. "

"On 6-25-09, MAJ Ted W. wrote: Thank you for all you do and have a great week! I have a few to read myself as soon as I break away from work."

"On 6-25-09, Terry B. wrote: Your recent shipment just arrived today....thank you for your continued support. Tom K. has returned to the US and will no longer be working here so if you don't mind, you can take his name off the mailing address in the future. Our book library is quite large now and you could cut back on our shipments to allow shipments to other more needy installations. We really appreciate all the hard work that goes into pulling your program together and can assure you that your books are making a difference with the troops."

"On 6-25-09, James N. wrote: To everyone at Operation Paperback, thanks for the books you sent. We truly appreciate everything that you all do for the troops over here. The books you sent will get a lot of hours of use. Because of your support, time over here will pass more quickly, which is good for us. Thanks again."

"On 6-25-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Ms. D.: On behalf of the seaferers and military personnel here at Diego Garcia, I wanted to write and thank you for the generous donation of paperback books, CD's, Videos, DVD's AND magazines(quite a large selection there!) that you kindly sent to us here at the Seamen's Service Center earlier this month. It will be most appreciated by the patrons of this Center and we are deeply grateful for the time, energy and expense you invested in sending them to us here on this small island. Again, our thanks and all the best to the people who helped you in Nebraska(my predecessor here at USSC was also from a small town in Nebraska and is a real upstanding and supporting individual). All the best."

"On 6-24-09, Chris L. wrote: I wanted to let you know that I will be departing theater soon and wanted to let you know so you could remove my name from your list of those requesting books. I greatly appreciate all the books I received from your organization. They were shared and spread around the FOB for all to enjoy! Thank you!"

"On 6-24-09, Linda H. wrote: Please take me off the book list. I have plenty of books to read now. I appreciate everyone that sent me books. "

"Onn 6-22-09, Cynthia C. wrote: Mr. T., Just wanted to say Thank You for the book donation. We received them on June 22 looks like an excellent selection and I'm sure they will be enjoyed by everyone who reads them. Again Thank You and May God keep your family member safe during his duty in Baghdad."

"On 6-23-09, LT Joanne D. wrote: Volunteers, Thank you so much for your generosity to my Soldiers and me. The five boxes I received today are absolutely wonderful! Your thoughts and kindness are greatly appreciated! "

"Thank you very much for your shipment of books. Our soldiers will greatly appreciate them! Thank you again!"

"On 6-23-09, Chaplain Douglas C. wrote: David, Thanks for the books that you sent. You guys responded quickly and we really appreciate it. Would you hold off in sending any more while I work on passing these out? You guys are great - Thanks again,"

"On 6-23-09, Juan R. wrote: I received the box really fast! And very good selection. I took the ones I was going to read and told my platoon sergeant where I was putting them in the MWR tent so the other soldiers could get a hold of them. Thank you very much for the service you are providing voluntarily to the troops, you are good people. "

"On 6-23-09, SPC Refino P. wrote: I would like to thank all of you who sent books to us. It helps in taking the mind off deployment when we have down time. I really thank you again from all of us here."

"On 6-22-09, MAJ Ted W. wrote: Thank you for your generous donation of books to the Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB), Fort Campbell, KY. We received three boxes of books. The books are greatly appreciated and will be utilized and checked out by our Warriors in the BN dayroom and at numerous clinics which the Warriors go for appointments. A good book can take you to another place and open your mind to possibilities which you were unaware of in the past. Have a great week!"

"ON 6-22-09, LT Joanne D. wrote: Volunteers of Operation Paperback, Thank you so much for your two packages of wonderful books. I received a box sent by Susan C. and I am not sure about the other individual who sent a book. Your support and prayers are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your generosity. "

"Hello again from Okinawa, Japan. Please let Selina Fansler know that we received her book donation at the Camp Schwab USO."

"On 6-21-09, Gary C. wrote: Your organization has provided myself and my fellow soldiers with many books and it has been appreciated. I am going to be relocating and would like to cancel the shipments of books to my address please. I will not have a good address to forward them to. Thank you."

"On 6-21-09, PFC Ashley R. wrote: This e-mail is concerning a few packages to confirm that we have received them. I would just like to say thank you so much for all the support! I work with many transients going up north and we set the books out for when they are stuck here for a few days and many military personnel and civilians appreciate it so much! I of course have taken many of the books back to my room to read for myself, and donated some to our little library we have at the education center. I have received packages from volunteers: Selina, Bertha H., Louise L., Karen M. Once again, thank you so much for the support. "

"On 6-21-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Ms. Marcie P: Very much wanted to write to thank you for the HUGE box of magazines, CD's and a DVD that you sent us earlier this month and arrived here just this past Friday(that was FAST!). As a one time resident of Mackinaw Island, Michigan, I love to hear from people from that part of the world and deeply appreciate the trouble and expense you went to to mail us this very heavy box. That was most kind of you. Here on Diego Garcia(an island four times larger than Mackinac Island) we don't have access to most magazines, so your gift was exceedingly kind and much appreciated. We will share the contents of that box with seafarers and airmen who call this island home from time to time, and the large number of Filipino and Mauritian workers who are employed here, Again, thank you very much for your thoughtfuless, and all the very best to you. "

"Onn 6-21-09, Marie B. wrote: I received the book, thank you very much.. I am enjoying my time now reading the books and sharing them with the other soldiers. Thank you for sending them. "

"On 6-18-09, SSG Ryan E. wrote: Your organization and all of the many volunteers have blessed us by keeping us in their prayers and thoughts by sending us the thousands of books and reading material to include gifts and calling cards have absolutely created a better atmosphere for our soldiers and continue to bridge the gap of entertainment enjoyed by the many soldiers who benefit from your and the volunteers thoughtfulness. It is the great consideration and effort each person displays that develops and changes the world. Please accept my thanks for all you have and continue to do for U.S. Soldiers... May God richly bless you.. "

"On 6-18-09, LT Joanne D. wrote: Kathy R. and Booklet Paperbacks, Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to put together this wonderful package for my Soldiers and me. We truly appreciate your dedication, prayers, and support. I am working to encourage a lot of my Soldiers to read more often as a great way to occupy their off time. I put the books out yesterday for them to take and this morning I noticed that several were already taken. Thank you again and we hope to hear from you again soon! "

"On 6-18-09, Hortencia L. wrote: Greetings, In support of the troops, the Patient Library received a box of book donations from Houston, Texas. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. "

"On 6-18-09, Thom U. wrote: Friends of the Belmont Library I very much wanted to write and thank you for the large box of DVD's,.music CD's and magazines which arrived here at the United Seamen's Service Center at Diego Garcia just yesterday. It was a very valuble shipment and we are very pleased with the generous donation. With it, we will be able to keep our civilian mariners and US military personnel well occupied in a variety of ways during their time away from their scheduled duty hours here at "DG". This is not the first shipment that we have received from "Friends" and we are most grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity. Our deepest thanks for all that you have done for "USS" here at Diego Garcia."

"On 6-18-09, SPC Melissa M. wrote: Hi, I would just like to say thank you for the 5 boxes of books I received. It was good to read something new. So again thank you."

"On 6-18-09, 1LT Renato D. wrote: Thank you so much for everything that you're doing for us. We really appreciate it very much. I received the first package yesterday with lots of wonderful books. Any books or magazines work for us, but I will get with my Soldiers and other leaders if they want to read anything specific. On behalf of my unit please offer our special thank you to everyone that's involved with your organization; tell them we appreciate their hard work and thank you for praying for us everyday."

"On 6-18-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Ms. Barbara Y: Thank you most kindly for the large box of magazines you sent us earlier this month and arrived here on Diego Garcia, just yesterday. We are without a Stars and Stripes outlet here, and the local library is unable to stock current magazines, so this selection that "Troop Support Operation Paperback" has sent to us is extremely important and much appreciated by all the Navy personnel and civilian mariners who frequent our Service Center. We deeply appreciate the initiative and thank you for your generous gift. With all our best."

"On 6-17-09, MAJ Ted W. wrote: Thank you for your generous contribution of books to the Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Campbell, KY. They are greatly appreciated."

"Thank you very much for the support of the books that you sent my Company. The Marines and Sailors enjoy the variety of books that we have now in our library. This was excellent! I have letters going out to you all within the next day or so as well. Thank you!"

"On 6-16-09, Linda H. wrote: Dear Friends, Thank you so much for the books. I received them just today. I will tell you a little about myself. I am 56 yrs old and have husband and two sons, I am from Kansas. I work for AAFES and I volunteered to come over here to take care of the troops which has been a rewarding experience for me. Camp Virginia is a transition base. We get the troops coming out of combat and going home. So thank you again for the books. When I finish with them I will give them to the USO here. "

"On 6-15-09, Patricia D. wrote: My son has asked me to request his name be removed from the Operation Paperback list. He deeply appreciates (and plans to acknowledge) the book donations he has received so far. However, it's "too much of a good thing". A few days ago, he received a huge box of so many books (60-70) at once that it literally took almost all the available space in their MWR area. There isn't room for any more at this time. Their forward operating base (FOB) is primarily tents, with only a couple of plywood "shack" style buildings under a concrete dome. There isn't a dining facility, and they eat field rations. They are 8 to a sleeping tent in bunks, so there isn't any personal space to store anything, either (no wall lockers or anything like that). This is not the Iraq you see on CNN. So please remove his name from the list as soon as possible. Thank you for the work that you do, and again, please let the volunteers know how much we appreciate them. rnrnThanks very much."

"On 6-15-09, Chelsea C. wrote: I would like to thank everyone for all the books, magazines, personal hygiene items, and GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!!!!!!=] We have not received mail for almost a month so I got like 8 boxes of books at once last week and I could not have been happier. Reading is my favorite past time and the only thing I can escape to here. I literally read a book a day sometime 2 days depends how busy I am!!! I'm so excited about the collection of books I don't know where to start!!! Again thank you so much!!! "

"On 6-13-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Don and Diane W.: We were the grateful recipients of a large number of magazines which you so kindly sent us on June 4th and I wanted to write and thank you for your generosity It will be much appreciated by our seafaring clientele who are always looking for recent publications because we are without a Stars and Stripes Bookstore and the library does not stock periodicals at this time. The magazines, upon arrival ealier today, were immediately placed on display in our dining room where patrons can help themselves upon arrival. Thank you again for your kindness and all best wishes from "USS". "

"On 6-12-09, Thom U. wrote: Syd C.: Thank you most kindly for the recorded music discs, magazine and .....popcorn! It is all very much appreciated and I apologize for the postal costs...that was expensive(can we reimburse you?). These items go over big with our seafaring community here at Diego Garcia. And our deepest gratitude to OperationPaperback for making all of this possible. With all best wishes."

"On 6-11-09, LT Daphne M. wrote: Thanks for ALL the support and all the books! We are ALL enjoying them and I am sharing them with everyone. I hate to ask but could you remove my name from the list. I love all the books I am getting but I am getting A LOT of them and it is getting difficult. I APPRECIATE them VERY MUCH though and I thank your volunteers A LOT for all the assistance!"

"On 6-11-09, SPC Timothy C. wrote: I have received a lot of books and the Soldiers in my unit greatly appreciate it. We have more than enough books for the duration of the deployment. If you could remove me from the mailing list so other troops can enjoy the books. Thank you so much and God speed!!! "

"On 6-11-09, 2LT Renato D. wrote: Thanks for the rapid response and we the ****** Battalion, are very honored and humbled to accept your care packages. We really appreciate your kindness and hard work in order to make a difference in our Soldiers' lives. I will be sending you our photo fairly soon. Thank you again for all your hard work and keep up the good work."

"On 7-6-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Randy and Denise: My apologies if I have incorrectly spelled your last name - I had some difficulty reading it on the postal documents that accompanied your very generous donation of magazines that you recently sent to our Seamen's Service Center here at Diego Garcia. We deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity in sending those publications on to "USS". Here on DG we operate a social welfare center that caters to the island population of 2200 people, so the magazines you sent will be well circulated in the weeks, and perhaps months, ahead. Our thanks again for your kindness and all the very best."

"On 7-8-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Mr. B: Just time for a note to thank you most kindly for the used magazines and popcorn that you sent our way late last month....they reached us here in the ******* in just over a week! We very much appreciate your thoughtfulness and whereas our local library does not stock current magazines, the ones that you were kind enough to send will do very nicely. We thank you for going to the expense of mailing these items to us and trust that this note of thanks finds you safe and well. "

"On 7-17-09, CPT Ruchika C. wrote: Thank you very much to Kathy R. (Bookie's Paperbacks), B. Tate, Tran & Treasure Books, Mountainbrook Library & Superstition Rotary Club (Louise L). We truly appreciate all the books that you have sent us here. They are great! It is a huge variety, so that everyone is finding something to their liking. People like all of you make out time here go by much quicker. Your support is very much appreciated. Thanks!"

"On 7-22-09, Thom U. wrote: Good Morning Bekki! Just wanted to write and thank you most kindly for the many magazines and DVD's that you were kind enough to send us on June 25th. We much appreciated your going to that expense on our behalf and the donation was most welcome and generous. Here in the IO, we don't have access to current publications so your generosity was very welcome. Thank you again for the kindness and all best wishes from all of "USS."

"On 7-28-09, SPC Glenn R. wrote: I'm about two weeks away from leaving Iraq and going home. I should probably be removed from your list. Thank you very much for all of the support sent. "

"On 7-28-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Bryarly: It was a real pleasure to receive your large box of books at the post office today and we are most pleased with your thoughtfulness and generosity. The books are first class and will be much enjoyed by many of our patrons and friends of the Seamen's Center. We thank you too for the expense that you went to to ship them to us and we thank you most deeply for the kindness. From all of "USS" here on Diego Garcia, thank you again for the "gift". All best wishes."

"On 7-28-09, CPT Jason W. wrote: Good Afternoon, Thank you for sending the books. I received them yesterday and look forward to reading them in my down time. I am also sharing them with other Soldiers in my unit, so that we all have opportunity to benefit from your generosity. Thanks again!!"

"I just received a package from First Christian Church from Arlene, TX today and was genuinely surprised to find a box full of classic Asimov's sci fi magazines and it is a collection I probably would have paid for if such an assortment would ever be on sale. Thank you very much for your operation and your literary support for us troops."

"On 7-19-09, Eric S. wrote: Good afternoon. I have been receiving books for six to eight months and we are leaving soon and will not be receiving mail. I would like to thank some people how have sent books over the last few months. To start with Janet L., Sue W., Stu F., and Anne B. When I returned from leave I had four boxes of books waiting for me. I enjoyed them. Thank you for all of your support and being very prompt with books of all varieties. "

"On 7-14-09, LtCol Dan Y. wrote: When I signed up I had no idea just how many books we would receive - thank you for ALL of them! I plan to take a picture with some of the guys in our extensive library in the next few days and send it to you. Happily though, I would like to inform you that our time here is coming to a close and it is probably time to shift the mailings to other service men and women. We have about four weeks left and then it is home to our families - 9 months is a long time but the books make the time pass quickly. So thank you and I hope to be sending you a picture within the week. "

"I received several boxes of late, two large ones were from Alion S. in Bath, ME. Like I have said before, they go as fast as they come in. Thank you. As always I try to sent a letter of appreciation to those individuals/companies who send books."

"On 7-12-09, Robert A. wrote: I just wanted to send a quick note of Thanks! for the books. The books provide a quick getaway when things are a little rough as well as filling the void when I find myself alone. I sincerely appreciate the staff and volunteers for taking the time to reach out to us with the timeless gift of a book. Thank you. rn "

"On 7-12-09, Levitica B. wrote: Thank you so much for the books that you sent me. They are exactly the authors that I love! It is very comforting to know that there are people out there that support me. Thank you for making my deployment so much easier. God Bless "

"On 7-12-09, SGT Peter H. wrote: Hello! We just received another box of books! Thanks for your support!"

"On 7-11-09, SGT Peter H. wrote: So far we have received three large boxes of paperback books from your organization. We have just finished building our book case and the books have been very well received. Thank you for your continued support!"

"On 7-11-09, Linda H. wrote: Do me a big favor and let everyone know how much I appreciate all the books. Thanks again."

"On 7-11-09, Randy K. wrote: Thank you very much for your books. I have received them and enjoy them. I have passed them out to the guys and gals of VFA-192 forward deployed from Japan on board the USS George Washington. Everybody here is proud and appreciates your support. Again thank you. "

"On 7-9-09, Thom U. wrote: Dear Mr. and Mrs. John M: I wanted to be sure to write you a very grateful letter of thanks for the many CD's and DVD's that you were kind enough to send our way on the 9th of June. The contents of your "care package" was most welcome as many of our patrons enjoy "Classic Rock" music, and the playing cards and US Flag decals were also items we could find use for. A most interesting package that will keep many of our seafaring patrons pleased for months to come. We thank you again for your kindness and generosity. All the very best from all of "USS". "

"On 6-4-09, LT Jammal J. wrote: Please pass my sincere thanks along to Tom M. for the books."

"On 5-26-09, MAJ Lashaunda J. wrote: Thank you for the books. The soldiers appreciate your generosity and kindness. God Bless You all at Operation Paperback. "

"On 6-10-09, MAJ Lashaunda J. wrote: Volunteers of Operation Paperback: Thank you for the books. The soldiers and civilian deployed at Bagram AB, Afghanistan greatly appreciate your kindness and generosity. "

"On 6-10-09, SGM David C. wrote: Al C. and Staff, Good morning from Iraq, and thank you for your generous donation. I am an avid reader and I so appreciate your thoughtfulness! I have traveled throughout Iraq and have read a few paperbacks during my travels. I pick up a book here, and swap it with another somewhere else. One thing I have noticed is that I see your label "Operation Paperback" on a lot of the books here. I'm not sure if you're familiar with Basrah or not, but it's a base we took over from the British. Some of the basic life support items here are not established yet. There is no USO, and no MWR facility yet. Our PX is not much bigger than a large double wide. So gifts like this from> home mean a lot to us, and your support of our troops is amazing. We have a book shelf in the hallway between our buildings where your donation will be placed for all the soldiers to enjoy. Keep up the great work, I know the troops appreciate it."

"On 6-9-09, LTC James B. wrote: Dear Mr John T: I have just picked up a book you have donated to our service men and women serving in combat. You are kind and generous to have done this. I acknowledge you and I am grateful for your support. You need to know, your contributing this, like you have, matters. Something as simple as a free book on a shelf in our MWR center, (Morale, Recreation & Welfare), makes our service just a little bit easier here. This simple Email seems, well, inadequate. Nonetheless, I Thank you for supporting your American soldiers. "

"On 6-8-09, SPC Timothy C. wrote: I am still receiving boxes of books. They are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support. "

"Thank you for all the wonderful books. My unit has appreciated them a lot. Right now we have a lot of books to last us for awhile. Thank you for all your support!"

"On 6-4-09, PFC Laronnia S. wrote: Hello, thanks for all the books that you guys have been sending me. These books have been a stress reliever and made time go by super fast, on that note, I will be leaving here and heading home in a few months!! I thought I would just let you know in case you send me more books, so they will not just be sitting here. I am truly appreciative and thankful for everything. You guys are the greatest!!"

"Please thank the folks at AHRC- Suffolk, Ronkonkoma, NY for the books donated to the Camp Schwab USO in Okinawa, Japan."

"Thank you for the books. Especially tailoring it for our women (10 of them). They needed something that might suit their reading needs. Appreciate the support a lot! Thank you!"

"Please let Tom M. (of the Genesee Community College) know that we received his latest shipment. All of the books about Texas should appeal to our Army guys from Ft. Hood. On May 28th, we took our big thermometer outside - it measures up to 140 degrees. In the sun, the needle went as far past 140 as it could! The wind was blowing and it felt like a hair dryer was blowing on you. Thanks again. "

"On 5-30-09. PFC Russell F. wrote: My name is PFC Russell F. and I want to thank you for all the books. I have run out of room to put all the books, so if you could take me off the mailing list I would appreciate it. I have filled up our MWR and have provided books for our whole battalion. Thank you again. "

"On 5-30-09, Special Agent Miguel L. wrote: I am writing this letter for SA Dan W.; who you have been sending books to. SA W. left this week for home and is no longer deployed in country. As a soldier I wanted to thank you for your generous support and appreciate your valuable dedications to "The Troops." I too have shared books that you have sent with Dan, but I too am preparing to go home soon. I will be delivering the extra books to one of the MWR buildings here on Camp Taji, so that I can share your gifts with other soldiers on post. Thank you once again and if you can kindly remove Dan W., at *******Iraq, it will be appreciated."

"On 5-28-09, Thom U. wrote: Just wanted to write and express our gratitude for the large box of music CD's and magazines which arrived here today at the United Seamen's Service Center at Diego Garcia in ******. We were deeply pleased to receive the gift and will put it to good use entertaining the air force and navy personnel who are among our most frequent patrons. We also serve American merchant (civlian) seafarers and their guests at this location and much of what was received today will be shared with the USN "Chapel in the Palms" which is very much apart of our island community. Again, our deepest gratitude for your kindess and generosity. It is much appeciated by one and all here on Diego Garcia. "

"On 5-26-09, Cpl Matthew M. wrote: I have received the box of books that was sent to me. I would like to say thank you for supporting us out here."

"On 5-24-09, SPC Rob B. wrote: I have been receiving your books since we got deployed here in northern Iraq. Please receive my sincere thanks and know that they all have been put to good use by plusing up our library here on FOB Sykes. We are currently in our last two months of our deployment and I believe that we will probably not be able to field the books much longer soon. I will be more than happy to foward you guys a contact with the relieving unit. I'm sure they'll probably be likely to continue on with the operation. Again thank you so much for everything you guys did while we were here. "

"On 5-22-09, SGT. Sean O. wrote: I would just like to say thanks to the New Oxford Area Library for the 22 paperbacks I received yesterday. My fellow soldiers and I are stationed at a remote outpost far from a major base. These books will definitely help raise our morale and keep our spirits lifted. Thank You "

"On 5-22-09, Bettie S. wrote: Please pass along our thanks to Kimberly G. of Dunstable, MA. Please let her know it was a great selection - we seldom get inspirational books. I think it's about 120+ degrees today in the sun. Thank goodness we're in the shade here at the USO! "

"Please thank the South Woods Middle School 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, their families, friends, and the New York Community for their book donation to the Camp Schwab USO in Okinawa, Japan."

"Thank you so much for the box of books. My group and I appreciate it very much and thank you for all your support while we are out here. The box did arrive without any problems. Thank you once again."

"On 5-19-09, 1LT Brian B. wrote: I want to thank you for the books. So far, I have read many classics that I would otherwise never have been able to get my hands on. I cannot thank you enough for the distraction that you provide, it is both a great escape and a lot of enjoyment letting the mind escape into the world of Schindler's List or the Good Earth."

"On 5-19-09, MAJ Lashaunda J. wrote: Thank you for the books! The soldiers here at ******, Afghanistan appreciate your kindness and generosity. "

"On 5-19-09, TSgt John S. wrote: I just received a box of books from you kind folks. The person who sent the box was Bobbie G. from Dunstable, MA. Please tell him thanks they were real nice. Thanks from Kuwait."

"ON 5-18-09, SGT Jamie M. wrote: I just wanted to let you know that I received your package today. I would like to thank you for your support. We have a big shelf in our Aid Station where we put up all the books we receive so that everyone has to oppportunity to read them. The soldiers are really enjoying the variety of books that we have been receiving. Hope you and your family are well. Take Care and Thank You again. "

"On 5-18-09. PO2 Marco S. wrote: I am Petty Officer Marco S. here at FOB Rushmore. I have recently taken over the MWR center and that includes the library. We recently received a shipment of paperbacks from your organization and a woman by the name of Janet L. Thank you Janet and all the volunteers that help out in your cause. We do appreciate these books, our soldiers, myself included, love to read and are always looking for a good read. Thank you for your thoughts and your efforts."

"On 5-17-09, SSG Nevlin H. wrote: Thanks to everyone at operationpaperback for your support, prayers, and concern. Special thanks to Col. Bennett, Thomas and friends. We'll will be headed home next month and our replacement will the the ***** once again thanks for your support."

"On 5-17-09, Tamara S. wrote: Thank you for sending my daughter books. She said she got so many that she shared them with everyone! I just wanted you to go ahead and take her off the list now as she will be headed back shortly. Thank you! "

"On 5-15-09, 1SG David C. wrote: Wanted to thank you for the support, appreciate you taking the time to think of us deployed over here in this great place. We have just reached our fifth month here in country, almost over the hump. It has been busy which helps the time go by fast, but it also is getting warmer as it gets busier. It's nice to have a book to get you away for just a little bit of time. Thanks so much for your support in doing this. Hope all is well in the states with you. I have a two week break coming up can't wait to get home and see everyone and also see some green. It will be so nice. Thanks. Take care."

"On 5-12-09, SGT Benjamin M. wrote: I have gotten 3 boxes of books so far and they have been great. I will try and have picture to upload to you soon of where they went and who is reading them. Best wishes and Thanks!"

"On 5-11-09, Lt Col. Bryan H. wrote: On behalf of the 125+ members of the Afghan National Army Air Corps Advisor Group, let me thank you for your shipment of books. They make a nice addition to our shared library. The ability to grab a book to de-stress and relax greatly enhances our quality of life here. It is the kindness of strangers such as yourself that reminds us of the support we all have back home. It is that support that keeps us going in the tough times. Thank you for the time and effort you sacrifice to brings us such peace. "

"On 5-8-09, Nathan A. wrote: Thanks much for the books. They look good. Here in Iraq having something fun to read helps make life more enjoyable. "

"On 5-11-09, Lt. Col. Bryan H. wrote: On behalf of the 100+ members of the Afghan National Army Air Corps Advisory Group, let me thank you for your recent shipment of books. They are a fine addition to our now fully stocked library that will continue to bring peace for years to the several rotations of advisors to come. The time and effort you put into this project is greatly appreciated."

"On 5-11-09, Nathan A. wrote: Thanks for the books. They look good. Here in Iraq having something fun to read helps make life more enjoyable. The first night I thought I'd start one of the books (The First Apostle) and I ended up staying up late (a bit later than I should have!) to finish it. That book was actually my favorite genre, the historical thriller type or basically any historical fiction (not so much a mystery book reader. "

"On 5-10-09, 1SG David C. wrote: Just wanted to thank everyone for all the support, we have received, it has been great sharing everything with all the troops here. You all bring some sunshine to our day and it definitely helps so much, to take a break and get away with a good book. Hope all is well with everyone, we are just passing thru our fifth month here, can't wait to make it home. Thanks again for everything."

"I received another (large) box today. This one was from Selina F of Newville, PA. Thank you. I will be mailing her a thank you note as well."

"Thanks for your book donation to the Camp Schwab USO in Okinawa, Japan. Some great books like the last shipment we received from you."

"On 5-8-09, SGT Ivie I. wrote: I recently received the package of books that you sent to me through Operation Paperback and I would like to let you know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am an avid reader (it's the only escape I have out here) and so seeing a box of books was an unexpected surprise. I would also like to thank you on behalf of the other soldiers who will read the books after I do. It is always nice to know that there are people back home thinking about us. Again, thank you so much! "

"On 5-8-09, Nathan A. wrote: Thanks much for the books. They look good. Here in Iraq having something fun to read helps make life more enjoyable. "

"On 4-28-09, 1SG David C. wrote: We received multiple boxes from a few different organizations, just wanted to take a minute and thank everyone for thinking of us. I was very surprised to see all the support we had received in such a short time. This is a great program you have and wanted to let you know it is greatly appreciated by *** Company and *****, Many thanks go out to the following: Our Lady of The Angels Bradenton, Florida, Sandra D of Helotes, Texas, Don W of Dunstable, Mass, Louise L of Gold Canyon, Arizona. I attached a few photos. They were a big hit. Thanks again for all of your support."

"On 5-7-09, SSG Carrie B. wrote: I just wanted to thank your wonderful organization for all the books I have received. The books were a varied assortment that many soldiers enjoyed. I am moving to a different camp soon and request that packages to myself be cancelled until I get to my new destination and can send you another request for books. Thank you again for all your support and morale boosting books. Thank you and God Bless."

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and The Friends of the Library for their book donations. Hundreds of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines transit through Ali Al Salem Air Base on a daily basis. They must wait hours upon hours if not days to transit back home or into Iraq. It is a great comfort and diversion to have your books available to read. I was pleasantly surprised during mail call to see several large boxes of books headed my way. On their behalf I thank you all."

"On 5-6-09, 1SG David C. wrote: Just wanted to say thanks for the books you sent. They arrived today and are very much appreciated. Books are great and can be shared by so many. The ones you sent were very popular and didn't last long. Thanks so much for taking your time to think of us. Used magazines are great too if you ever get any of them at your donation drives. We are going into our fifth month here of our 12 month tour. We have gotten thru almost half of our R&R leaves already. I have mine coming up the 11th. I can wait. Looking at spending it in Florida at Disney World. Thanks again for all your support."

"On 5-4-09, SPC Timothy C. wrote: I received the books safe and in good condition. Thank you so much and I really appreciate it all. Your support is greatly appreciated and the guys and gals are loving the books."

"On 5-2-09, SPC Brown wrote: I am letting you know that we have been receiving your packages and do appreciate your work. I was also the one who requested childrens books so we could have the soldiers read them to their children either over skype or by video camera. Thank you for sending the children's books for it has helped us support our troops in this area. If you want to hear more about what is going on in our world let me know. Until then thank you so much for what you do.rn"

"On 4-30-09, LCDR Jimmie W. wrote: Mr. M, Thank you for the books, they have been received."

"On 4-30-09, LCDR Jimmie W. wrote: Thank you for the books. I have received several packages and have been sharing them with my fellow troops here in Baghdad. You can stop sending books to me, I have enough to last until I return back to the states. Thank you again for your support. The books are wonderful and help to past the time here in Iraq."

"On 4-28-09, 1SG David C. wrote: Received another box of books, yesterday, just wanted to say thanks to Mr. Ross H, for thinking of us. Thanks for all your support, this is a great organization, these are so popular with the troops and because they can share them with others makes them even better. Appreciate all you do for all Soldiers."

"Greetings from the Camp Schwab USO in Okinawa, Japan. The books shipped by Karen P. were received today. Thank you. I see some of my favorite authors in the shipment."

"On 4-27-09, SSG Nevlin H. wrote: Hello, How are you? I want to thank you and others at operation paperback for all your concern and support. It is people like you that keep our morale high during long times away from home. My unit's time here is coming to an end. we should be returning in june and we are all happy about that. Once again thank you."

" My name is Linnea and I'm a soldier deployed in Afghanistan. We received the magazines you sent! Thank you so much. Not only does it provide hours of good reading for us, it gives us a little part of being back home. Reading is such a great release for us. It also means a lot to us over here to have the support of the people back home. A lot of people thank us for the job be do over here, but I thank you for your support! You have really helped raise the moral of the soldiers of Delta Company. Thank You, SGT Linnea B "

"On 4-21-09, 1 SG David C. wrote: Just wanted to pass you a quick note to thank you, for your support and all the support you provide all Soldiers. Your package arrived yeaterday. It was great to get some books and goodies. It is so hard to keep everyone happy and with so many different personalities, I feel like a cruise director. You make my job easier providing the support that you do. If you get any more requests from this area, you are more than welcome to link them up with me. It would be nice to share between each other. That way work is not doubled. Thanks again. "

"On 4-27-09, PFC Jennifer L. wrote: Hello! I've received soooo many shipments of books from you but am just now getting a chance to email you to let you know I received them. I received a box from the Sandra Day O'Conner Student Council in Helotes Tx, One from Don W., another from Carol V. and one from the Association for the Help of Retarded Children Adult Day Habilitation Program. I received 2 more boxes from 2 other people but the papers I kept in my pocket got ruined when I accidently sent the pants to the wash without checking my pockets... (don't tell my husband I did that, he'd give me a hard time because I always lecture him about that very thing!) Sadly, I'm leaving Bagram for a little while and can't find anyone else who wants to take the responsibilty of sending the books to the other Fobs. So, I'm requesting that you stop sending the books to me temporarily. I will let you know if I return. Until then please know that you have completed 3 different libraries in 3 different locations and we greatly appreciate it. All the shipments have just been wonderful and they brought smiles to our faces! I love knowing that if I get deployed here again, there will be a library waiting here and at 2 other Fobs thanks to operationpaperback.org. Your organization is wonderful!"

"On 4-27-09, SSG Nevlin H. wrote: I would like to thank you all at Operation Paperback for all your prayers and support. Special thanks to Norma J. (club 340), Selina and Jami L., our tour will be ending in less than two months and we all can't wait to come home. Thanks again for all the books. We love you guys! Take care and God bless."

"On 4-26-09, MAJ James B. wrote: Thank you for the donated books for our chapel library. They will be made available to our Soldiers. Donators: Sandy S. and Wendy H. God bless."

"On 4-26-09, Megan F. wrote: I would like to thank you for all the books we have received. However I would ask that the packages stop. We already have received way too many and are a very small fob. Thank you for all of the generosity. "

"Thank you for all the support you have shown. The books you have sent have been something we in Iraq look forward to. There aren't many luxuries that time allows us here and when do get time, reading a good book can take your mind off of a lot of the stressors we encounter. I would like to extend thanks from all of us. Keep up the great work we appreciate it and it is helping us stay mentally fit to fight this war. May God bless everyone involved with Operation Paperback."

"On 4-25-09,, 1 SG David D. wrote: Thank you for the books. My soldiers appreciate your thoughtfulness and support, and you can rest assured that these books will get lots of use. My soldiers travel on occasion and have a tendency to pick up or drop off books at different bases throughout the country, so the wealth will be shared. Thank you, and God bless. "

"On 4-20-09, Hortencia L. wrote: Recently, the Patient Library has received numerous boxes of book and other item donations for the patients of ****** Medical Center. The donations came from as far away as Amherst, OH, Lima, NY, Myrtle Beach, SC, Las Vegas, NV, Rush, NY, and Hampton Bays, NY. We appreciate the thoughtfulness of all the kind people from these areas, as well as the support for the troops. Thank you. "

"On 4-24-09, SPC Joelene H. wrote: I would like to thank everyone at your organization for the boxes of books we have received while we have been deployed to Iraq. We are coming to a close of our deployment so we cannot accept any more shipments of books, however, we will give your information to the incoming unit in case they would be interested in receiving books. "

"On 3-13-09, CPT Rosa G. wrote: To the Rotary Club of Gilmer County and Friend of Gilmer County Library; To Linda S.;To Barbara W.; To Stephanie M.; This display of such kindness motivates me to such an extreme that I just want to thank you for your great display of support for the troops. We received the shipment of books today and I wish I had a camera to take pictures of the smiling faces of my Soldiers when we distributed the books to all of the bookworms. They wanted me to relay their thanks for this generous gift. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for your support and kind words. The difficulties that young Soldiers go through on these long endeavors away from their loved ones takes an enormous toll on their morale. It is only through the kind and warm hearts of citizens like yourself that warm our days on the coldest trials we go through. The impact you have made will always be remembered by the Tomahawk Soldiers of ******* Company. Please accept our heart-felt thanks for this great support. "

"On 4-23-09, SSGT Donna R. wrote: I would first like to say Thank you to all the groups and individuals who sent books to me and my organization. I am scheduled to leave soon and would like to make a request to stop the shipments. My position is being downsized so there will be no one that can take over for me. Again my whole organization sends their thanks and appreciation for all the support and books we have received. Thank you. "

"On 4-23-09, PS1 Marcie F. wrote: Thank you so much for the box of books that I received. I love to read and I usually do not have enough to read while we are underway. But these will provide many hours of enjoyable reading time. I’ll make sure to share them with all of my shipmates here onboard. Thanks again for sending them to me. Have a great day. "

"On 4-22-09, SFC Sean C. wrote: I received the books you sent. Thank you so much for taking the time to think of all of us over here. My Soldiers over here in Iraq loved them. God Bless you and your family and thanks again!! "

"On 4-21-09, Baqi B. wrote: On behalf of the soldiers of this Forward Operating Base in Iraq, I would like to extend my most sincere appreciations and gratitude all of you for your generous support in such a critical time We did receive your books, magazines, audio, video cassettes, CD'S and as forth. Our library is perfect now and it contains loads of reading materials. My deployment period is over and I am returning back to the States next month. If you still wish to continue sending us stuff, kindly send it to the care of : Books for Library", same address. However, the library is adequately full. Again, Thank you very much. I have your address and I shall send you a picture of the library in future. "

"Thank you for the paperback books. The troops enjoy the books. They can wait for a flight to the base/post/fob (forward operating base) or a flight to home from hours to 4-6 days or longer, with nothing to do. The books help kill the boredom. I just talked to two solders who have been here for five days waiting to get out. Again thank you."

"Received another box of books. As usual the racks were empty when I went to restock them. Thank you."

"On 4-20-09, Kalyn S. wrote: I am so grateful for the box of books you sent over in support of the troops. We often find ourselves in much need of diversion over here on ******* Korea. Services are just now starting to expand to meet the needs of the growing population of troops on this post. I placed the books you sent on a shelf at one of two locations currently on base for paperback swap. Two months ago the shelves were bare and now they are regularly refilled. I feel blessed to be able to support the troops in this way with the help of Operation Paperback volunteers such as yourselves. Many thanks for all you do."

"On 4-20-09, Captain Edward H. wrote: My unit has received 6 huge boxes of books in the past week and I know the Marines in my unit all appreciate your support and have been reading the books that have been sent. I personally wish to thank you because I know it helps raise the morale of our Marines not only through the books, but knowing people back home support them. Thank you for the support!"

"On 4-18-09, Tom K. wrote: Thank you for your program Operation Paperback and your fast response. The troops enjoy the books. They can wait for a flight to the base/post/fob or a flight to home from hours to 4-6 days or longer, with nothing to do. The books help kill the boredom. I just talked to two solders who have been here for five days waiting to get out."

"On 4-19-09, Bill G. wrote: Thank you so much for the kind generosity displayed by the individuals at Operation Paperback. As of yesterday, we have received 38 CLEP books/study guides. These books/guides have had and continue to have a direct impact upon Soldiers and Airmen as they seek to further their educational goals. With the exception of the shipment received yesterday, we have sent e-mails to everyone who has donated CLEP books/study guides. (I will send an e-mail tomorrow to thank our most recent donator). I will be departing Iraq soon, sometime around the second week of May. My replacement is CMSgt Mike D. and he will be here through September 2009. His address is the same as mine. Due to the large number of Soldiers and Airmen here at ***** Air Base, Iraq, we could always use more CLEP book/study guides. Ms. Honeywell, you and your organization, Operation Paperback are making a difference in the educational pursuits of our Soldiers and Airmen. Thank you!! I appreciate your time and efforts in supporting our men and women of the United States Armed Forces."

"On 4-18-09, Daniel B. wrote: Dear Friends with Operation Paperback, Thank you very much for the books you keep sending us. Just yesterday we received another shipment from you. We put them up in the education center the moment they got in. Kind regards from Africa. "

"On 4-18-09, Eric S. wrote: Thank you for the last shipment of books they were great. Please do not forget the history and fantasy books. We have enjoyed most of the books you have sent I can not tell you how much it has helped fight the boredom we get here at times. "

"On 4-17-09, TSGT John S. wrote: Thanks so much to your group and Selina F. I received my box of books today and I was amazed by how many I got. Tell her a job well done, especially the Jimmy Buffet books. I'm just surprised to no end. You guys did something real good today and that was to make me smile for a change at mail call. Thanks for everything. Can you or someone send me a post card of your area. I know my wife will be glad to hear that there are so many nice people still out there who will do for others. Once again thanks sooooo much."

"On 4-15-09, Lt. Col. Bryan H. wrote: On behalf of the 120+ members of the Air Corps Advisory Group here in Afghanistan, let me express our appreciation for the boxes of books your members recently sent to us. The selection was a great addition to our community library. The response was amazingly fast. We have now received well over 100 books in the six different shipments. Rest assured that these books will bring great comfort and enjoyment to many rotations of advisors to come in the next few years. It is the support of our families and folks like yourselves that helps us get through the rough times during our tours of duty. I just can't express how much it means to all of us to have you giving of your time and energy to bring us much needed diversions from the daily grind and pressures we face. Once again, thanks for all that you do."

"I received three different packages of books, yours and two more with about the same amount of books. As usual I have already stacked them in the racks. There was only about 3 books left in the waiting area from the last big box. As always, thank you."

"On 4-13-09, Bryan B. wrote: Mina G. and friends of the Book Cellar Webster Library: From the world of Iraq, I would like to thank you for sending all of those wonderful books. I have shared and they will definitely get their usage. Thank you very much for your support. Without people dedicated to helping us like you, these deployments might drag out. Thank you again."

"On 4-11-09, 1LT Jeffrey D. wrote: We just received your first shipment of books! Thank you so much for your support. Let me tell you that the Soldiers of **** Infantry were very appreciative. On behalf of Lt. Col Mark O. and the rest of the battalion, we'd like to extend our warmest thanks. Please keep the books coming as there are over 700 Soldiers that would love to get their hands on some reading material during well-earned down time. Thanks again!"

"On 4-10-09, Kalyn S. of the American Red Cross wrote: Thank you so much for the books. Both boxes have now arrived. The first box arrived last week and the second box arrived yesterday. The selection of books is wonderful. The soldiers will definitely snap them up fast. We actually have books to grab in 2 locations now, one at the library and one at the USO office. We do have a base library, but it currently leaves a lot to be desired. As this base expands though over the next several years the library will hopefully expand to catch up with the population. In the meantime the books from Operation Paperback will keep everybody happy and caught up on the latest novels. Thank you for all you do. I know that you probably don't always get thank you notes from everyone you assist, but from my experience with the troops I know that it is always appreciated even if they don't express it. Many thanks. "

"On 4-12-09, Bettie S. wrote: Thank you so much for the box. The books are already on the shelves. We have been getting an average of over 500 troops per day lately. We can never get too many books. Please know that we really appreciate your time and effort. FYI - a thunderstorm is on the way. In the desert! I could have stayed in Alabama and gotten that type of weather. Thanks again. "

"Your most recent package reached me safe and well. Thank you so much. I love to read. I love the job that I do, and appreciate your thanks, your prayers, and the wonderful books. They are greatly appreciated."

"We received some of your books with the sticker 'Operation Paperback'. The soldiers really enjoy the paperbacks, making it easier for them to put in their backpacks when traveling. Reading is a great outlet for easing the mind. Thank you and God Bless."

"I received my second box of books today. Thank you so much. I already brought the box over and filled the book carousels. The first batch from just last week was already gone. Nothing but bare wire racks. As I stated when I made the initial request - we see about a thousand Soldiers a day transitting through here at ***** Air Base. There is a short fairly accurate, albeit dated, article if you look us up on> Wikipedia. The article is mostly about the Air Force side of the base, I am on the Army (a/k/a LSA) side where the waiting happens. Thank you again, it really helps the Soldiers pass the time when they are waiting and waiting to fly out. If you keep them coming you will continue to let Soldiers temporarily transport themselves to somewhere other than this hot dusty desert in the middle of nowhere."

"On 4-6-09, Vicky A. wrote: Dear Volunteers and Supportive Citizens of Operation Paperback, We wish to thank you for your wonderful contribution to our troops and their families who are stationed at our overseas location in Greece. We appreciate the effort you give to provide us with the best quality of material you send us, the enthusiasm you show in immediately tending to the troops’ changing needs, the heartfelt notes you include in the shipments, and the interest you take in hearing feedback from us. Our little library is flourishing because of you! The books, the DVD’s, and the variety in children’s material is all wonderful and simply above and beyond our expectations! We especially love how flexible you are to our changing needs due to the limited space we have available. Please keep up the wonderful outreach program! We wish to mention by name and give a special thanks to the following contributors: Steve and Jacque R. *******, NY Pat S. *****, MN Linda L. ******, MA Sherry O. *****, PA Paul L. *******, PA Dale G. ******, PA Paul R. ******, TX Frances H. Thank you so much all of you and last but not least a very special thanks to Ms. Chrissy Honeywell who is such a wonderful Point of Contact and so very helpful! Thank you kindly. "

"Onn 4-5-09, CPT Barbara B. wrote: Thank you very much for the books you sent. I have read quite a few books already and I've only been here for 4 months so now I have more to occupy my free time with. I love reading and it does help the time pass quicker especially on those slow days. I am a physical therapist and work here at the ****** Hospital in Baghdad. The soldiers are keeping me busy, whether it is because of back pain from wearing their body armor or from other overuse injuries because they have been working out or running a little too much. I enjoy working here, even though it is hard to be away from my friends and family. I am not married and don't have children so it is a little bit easier than those who do. I am glad I can take part in supporting the soldiers who are out there doing more dangerous things than I am. We have been seeing a decrease in number of patients at the hospital which is great. But that's why we also have more free time to read and watch movies and do other things. Hopefully this year will pass quickly and I will come out from the deployment with good experience and sense of accomplishment as we get ready to turn this place over back to the Iraqis. We have definitely come a long way in the years we have been here. Thank you again for the books. "

"On 4-5-09, SSG Robert H. wrote: I am writing to tell you that my term in my current unit is about up. Although I will miss my co-workers and other staff from this place I am dearly, I ESPECIALLY will miss YOU ALL: the supporters of the guardians of freedom, the families of the brave, and a country that remembers not what we are doing here, but why we have to be here. Your contributions and gifts made me smile daily, regardless of the situation. THAT, I assure you, is a much needed emotion in this area of the world; that it was shared by us all is an understatement. It is with a heavy heart, however, that I must ask you to stop your support for this unit. We will always be grateful for all of your help and assistance in creating a state of morale for this deployment station. The "Leisure Library" or "Team Room" would not have been created had it not been for every single one of you. With the office supplies, DVDs, games, letters, cards, as well as the snacks and candy, our lives in this area have been fruitful; our students and neighbors are grateful as well as they are the main benefactors of your glorious gifts. Since there are several changes affecting this region after my departure, though, there will not be a single contact that I can pass on to you. You all have changed the lives of the Service members here, and you definitely have changed mine. Please feel free to contact me at *****if you wish. I would enjoy continuing the friendships and bonds we have created during this joint endeavor. Again, thank you SO much. You are in our thoughts..."

"A quick note to let you all know that I have received a couple of shipments already. Have gotten behind on my emails. Don't know if you need to know who I have received books from, but here are the names. Selina F., Kathy W., Wendy H., Bertha H., Thanks."

"On 4-3-09, Yudelca R. wrote: Thank you! We received two shipments of paperbacks today! :) Thank you! "

"On 4-3-09, SPC Stephen B. wrote: Thank you so much for the packages. The children books were perfect and I know soldiers will love them!!! I couldn't ask for anything more, your gifts are wonderful. Thanks again for supporting the troops of my battalion. I will hopefully send out another email of appreciation soon."

"On 4-3-09, LT. Jammal J. wrote: I am writing to say thank you to the volunteers of Operation Paperback, specifically Donna D. and Susan M. of Waterford, WI, for their shipment of books. "

"On 3-31-09, Jeffery T. wrote: Thank you all for your kindness and for sending us so many books. We have received over 14 boxes and out shelves are full. Could you please hold off sending us anymore books? I just want the crew to have a chance to read what we got in before I rotate them out. Thank you again for your kindness. "

"On 3-31-09, SGT Tim A. wrote: This is just a note to let you know I have received your books. Thank you very much for sending books to me. It really helps pass the time. Thank you "

"On 3-30-09, Kalyn S. wrote: Many thanks for the box of books that came in yesterday from your organization in Dunstable, MA. The books are very welcome in our collection here at **** Korea. The base now has 2 book exchange locations where people can swap out books. The shelves are finally starting to fill so that we have a good selection to choose from. I have been restocking them with the books received from Operation Paperback. Thank you for supporting the troops. Believe me, it is greatly appreciated."

"On 3-30-09, MAJ Sebastien J. wrote: Just wanted to say that I received your latest shipment of books. Thanks so much for the great variety of books and dvds. They really help us pass the time here especially now that our entertainment options have so recently been reduced."

"ON 3-29-09, Brian W. wrote: I am home now back in the US and would like you to stop sending books to me overseas. I appreciate all the reading material you have sent to me over the past year in Iraq. I have read it and passed it along to other soldiers. Thank You so much. "

"On 3-29-09, Lt. Col. Dan Y. wrote: We received FIVE boxes of books today! Although we appreciate ALL of the care packages we receive, I don't think there has been this much excitement about any of the care packages we have received to date! There are Marines, Sailors and Soldiers here and it was fantastic opening the boxes and seeing all the GREAT possibilities. Even better was finding common favorites and hearing about other guys "Must Reads." I have attached a picture of my team with LtGen Z. when he came for a visit (he is PA native - we received books from a library in Newville PA, and I am a CA native - we also received books from Palos Verdes, CA) I will post a picture of us (US Army included) with the books in a few days but I had to say thank you right away. So - Thank You!!! Your support is appreciated more than any e-mail could ever express. Semper Fi. "

"On 3-27-09, SMSGT William N. wrote: Greetings from Iraq! Great news, we just received the book donations you sent and what perfect timing too. Our CLEP/DSST testing program has increased significantly this past deployment rotation and our current stock of study reference have been in short supply. The new book titles you sent will greatly assist our folks in reviewing fundamentals prior to taking the English Composition tests available. On behalf of the men and women of FOB ****** Iraq, I would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all your support. Your contributions have made a significant impact in allowing our airmen and soldiers to continue to pursue their educational goals. "

"On 3-26-09, Katerina M. wrote: USNSE Larissa Library would like to thank: Kristin C., Greg K., Gisele C., Linda L, Don & Diane W., Sergeant Suzanne S, Bekki S, Barbara W, Anita G, Sue H, Selina F. for your kind offer of books and DVD. Thank you."

"On 3-24-09, 1LT Ryan S. wrote: Thanks again so much for your gifts of books. There are so many Soldiers here in Korea separated from their families and sometimes it seems the only activities open to them is to go out on the town and be crazy. It’s encouraging to see some of them looking through and borrowing books to read. Additionally, we often have to take long rides in buses and vans with nothing to do but try and sleep or read and it certainly helps to have a selection of books to choose from before a long trip. Thanks so much on behalf of the Soldiers."

"On 3-24-09, MAJ James B. wrote: I just received your books. Thank you and God bless."

"On 3-23-09, LT Jammal J. wrote: Thank you for the books. I’ll add them to the bookshelf, in our building, for people to read as they please. Thanks again. "

"On 2-8-09, Col. Paul B. wrote: Dear Mike D.: On behalf of the Counterinsurgency Center for Excellence (COIN CFE) **** Iraq, I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU for your gracious support and generous gifts. The Books you sent us improved morale and greatly supported our quality of life here in Iraq. Here at the COIN CFE we strive to provide the best world class counterinsurgency education to all coalition force leaders by providing the very best, most relevant and timely information to enable the precise execution of our primary mission. As we focus our attention on supporting and defending our freedoms, your unwavering support and generosity truly play an integral part in the accomplishment of our mission. Thank you again for your outstanding support and generosity! "

"From CW3 Cory B. in Iraq (3-23-09)I am stationed in Balad, Iraq and have read a couple books recently from our Chaplain's library that had your stickers on them ... I just wanted to say "Thank you" for your efforts and your support!"

"(3-23-09) I have received numerous books out here in Iraq. My tenure here has ended, so please discontinue sending books to me. "

"(3-22-09) Dear Operation Paperback, We received a box of books from the University of Nebraska School of Medicine and another box from the South Placer retired California Highway Patrol officers group. We are returning home at the end of this month (just a few days!). Thank you for all the support. I will pass on your information to the crew relieving us, but for now, please suspend any more shipments, if possible. Again, my Sailors truly appreciate your thoughts and efforts and enjoyed all the books."

"(3-21-09) Thank you, I have recieved four shipments of paperbacks and we greatly appreciate it. I had to pick out a couple of good reads and then I donated them to our MWR so that more soldiers have a chance to read them. Thank you so much for the much needed escape of novels."

"First of all, I want to thank you on behalf of OPERATION PAPERBACK and all the folks who will be able to take advantage of your generosity. Having earned my undergraduate degree with the help of CLEP, I fully appreciate its value. As a veteran of nearly 40 years of military service, I can testify to the value of college degrees. Again, thank you very much. "

"(3-20-09)Thank you for the box of books. I have only had the chance to look at them so far, but hopefully soon I can read some and pass them along to the other females. We always appreciate books because our small ship's library usually has only military books. So thank you for the romance novels. Please pass my thanks on to the Operation Paperback staff there. Thank You! "

"I just wanted to take the time out of my day to send a note of thanks for the books your organization sent me. I just received them today. Me and the rest of my coworkers here in COB Speicher Iraq appreciate the support you all give us...it really does make a difference. Again thank you."

"I wanted to thank you for your package. I just received it today. It was surely the highlight of my day. You couldn’t have been more spot- on when it came to the selections for the books. I will share the books with members of my squad since we do have some down time every so often. You have a great program and I commend you for all the great services that you provide. My moral has been lifted and from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU! "

"I wanted to say thank you! Today we received 4 boxes with paperbacks and textbooks! Thank you very much! You guys are amazing! Thank you! :)"

"Thank you so much for the books, also the wipes were a God send. I appreciate the support of everyone at Operation Paperback. We have very little acess to books here and the few books they do have are at least $20. Now not only do I get to read but I can share with my fellow soldiers. I just want you all to know that your efforts make a great impact on us deployed soldiers. "

"Thank you very much for the books you sent. I have read quite a few books already and I've only been here for 3 months so now I have more to occupy my free time with. I love reading and it does help the time pass quicker, especially on those slow days. I am a physical therapist and work here at the ***** Hospital in Baghdad. The soldiers are keeping me busy, whether it is because of back pain from wearing their body armor or from other overuse injuries because they have been working out or running a little too much. I enjoy working here, even though it is hard to be away from my friends and family. I am glad I can take part in supporting the soldiers who are out there doing more dangerous things than I am. We have been seeing a decrease in number of patients at the hospital which is great. But that's why we also have more free time to read and watch movies and do other things. Hopefully this year will pass quickly and I will come out from the deployment with good experience and sense of accomplishment as we get ready to turn this place over back to the Iraqis. We have definitely come a long way in the years we have been here. Thank you again for the books."

"Thank you very much for the books you sent. I have read quite a few books already and I've only been here for 3 months so now I have more to occupy my free time with. I love reading and it does help the time pass quicker, especially on those slow days. I am a physical therapist and work here at the ***** Hospital in Baghdad. The soldiers are keeping me busy, whether it is because of back pain from wearing their body armor or from other overuse injuries because they have been working out or running a little too much. I enjoy working here, even though it is hard to be away from my friends and family. I am glad I can take part in supporting the soldiers who are out there doing more dangerous things than I am. We have been seeing a decrease in number of patients at the hospital which is great. But that's why we also have more free time to read and watch movies and do other things. Hopefully this year will pass quickly and I will come out from the deployment with good experience and sense of accomplishment as we get ready to turn this place over back to the Iraqis. We have definitely come a long way in the years we have been here. Thank you again for the books."

"Thank you so much for the books that you sent. I received them today. I love to read. I love books. The books that you sent are great and will keep me entertained for weeks during the few hours of free time that I hope to get. One of the things that I really liked upon signing up to your program was to be able to select the type of books that I enjoy. I was not expecting to receive a full box of books. There is only one book that I have already read (which shows that you did send books that I enjoy), but no worries, since there are plenty of soldiers here who I can share books with and who also love to read. Thanks again!"

"To the Rotary Club of Gilmer County and Friend of Gilmer County Library; To Linda S.; To Barbara W., To Stephanie L. M., This display of such kindness motivates me to such an extreme that I just want to thank you for your great display of support for the troops. We received the shipment of books today and I wish I had a camera to take pictures of the smiling faces of my Soldiers when we distributed the books to all of the bookworms. They wanted me to relay their thanks for this generous gift. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for your support and kind words. The difficulties that young Soldiers go through on these long endeavors away from their love ones takes an enormous toll on their morale. It is only through the kind and warm hearts of citizens like yourself that warm our days on the coldest trials we go through. The impact you have made will always be remembered by the Tomahawk Soldiers of ***** Company. Please accept our heart-felt thanks for this great support."

"Greetings from Bagdad! My name is CPT Nicky B. and I just wanted to thank y'all profusely for everything that you do for the troops at home and abroad. I can personally attest to the wonderful feeling of showing up for work and having a package waiting for me to rip into! The paperback books that I have received have been a god send. Sometimes you just need to take time out of your day, relax a little and decompress with a good western themed book, my favorite of course! I have been in country for several months now and have a 19 month old baby girl and a 5 week old baby boy at home, not to mention the most wonderful wife a man could ever dream of having, taking care of business at home. I miss them tremendously but this is my job, this is what I do and if we do not, who will? I am a very proud American and I love my country, that’s why I do what I do. If it were not for folks like you at Operation Paperback, things would be much more difficult to bear!Sure, you are not a weapons manufacturer or anything like that, but there is more to fighting a war than weapons and STUFF! MORALE is how wars are won, high morale to be more specific and your program helps to lift Soldier's spirits and elevate their morale so they can take on the tasks that face them every day. Again, I want to thank you for all that you do for the troops and trust me, Soldiers know who supports them and who does not, and they know that Operation Paperback is a program that is made up of folks who care about them every day, whether they are in harms way or just relaxing and reading a good book! Thank you and God Bless."

"Thank you very much for the shipment of books. We will enjoy them."

"Wow. I just arrived at my office and found 10 boxes of books! We've had to build a bookshelf to fit everything. Thank you so much. The response from your volunteers is overwhelmingly generous."

"Thank you so much for the books you sent me. I am a commander of an Apache helicopter company stationed in Iraq and interested in learning more about the Middle East. The book you sent me on UAE and the novel 'Tears of Sand' were perfect. It is a pleasure to have the escape of reading out here, and I greatly appreciate your time and efforts to enable that escape. Myself and the troops thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness. We miss everyone back home and can't wait to come back!"

"I just got another box of books from volunteers in Belmont, California. What a great selection. I was amazed by the amount of books about the Middle East - a wonderful help to learn about the area. There are tons of books that will last us all well through the deployment. My guys tend to spend a lot of time playing video games. Perhaps with these books I can convince them to get off the computer a bit. :) I love the novels as well - a great escape. And my CHU's (Containerized Housing Unit - our little portable room to live in) dirty ugly walls are now covered with beautiful National Geographic pictures. How did you guys come about with this idea? It is really a nice way of helping out the troops."

"Thank you for doing this! It is going to be great having some new reading material. We are currently deployed to the Kunar Province in Afghanistan. We have some of your books already because I found the great label you include in the ones you ship. I have been here 4 months and the selection is getting a little thin. While there are 21 of us, we share the camp with the Army's ****** Infantry Regiment - that makes for a lot of readers. I believe every military person should read Catch-22 and Slaughterhouse 5, but that is just me. Other personal favorites are Carl Hiaason, David Baldacci and of course James Patterson (we are missing the last book of the Alex Cross series - Criss Cross). Thanks for your support! "

"Thank for the large shipment of books. Many were from authors that I am working on other works of their. Many new authors and a few books I had already ready but loved so I see you got my selection just about right. Thank you. "

"Thank you so much for the shipment of books you sent to me. The variety was wonderful and everyone in my office is enjoying the new selections (our selection was pretty limited before). Thank you again for your support. God Bless."

"We received a wonderful box of books from the staff and patrons of the Homewood Public Library. Thank you so much!"

"Thank you for all the support you're giving the armed forces. Books here are a way to unwind and I am so grateful for the efforts made by yourself and all others included. I can't thank everyone personally but know that my prayers go with each and every one."

"Volunteers of Operation Paperback of Durnstable, MA: Thank you so much for the books you sent me. I am a commander of an Apache helicopter company stationed in Iraq and interested in learning more about the Middle East. The book you sent me on UAE and the novel 'Tears of Sand' were perfect. It is a pleasure to have the escape of reading out here, and I greatly appreciate your time and efforts to enable that escape. Myself and the troops thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness. We miss everyone back home and can't wait to come back!"

"I wanted to say thank you for the many books that you have sent to me. Many are books that I am looking forward to reading and I have passed a large number out to fellow Soldiers as well. I would especially like to say thank you to Mina G. and "Friends of The Book Cellar, Webster Library" in New York. You are doing a great thing and it is greatly appreciated. Thank you."

"Please remove me from your list as I am leaving the service. I appreciated all the books that I received. I shared them with many of my shipmates and they were enjoyed by all. Thank you to you and everyone that kept us in their thoughts."

"First, allow me to Thank you on behalf of many of our soldiers for all the wonderful reading material your organization has sent over! Things like this truly raise the morale of our soldiers in hard times. We've recently received your latest shipment of books, again Thank you, and although our organization has greatly benefited from your hard work, we would like to ask this to be our last shipment. Again Thank You for all you do on the Home Front for our men and women in service."

"Hello, and greetings from Iraq! My name is SPC Jonathan K., and I am the Chaplain Assistant for the ****** Battalion. On behalf of the battalion chaplain, CH(CPT) Kirby V., myself, and all the Soldiers, I would like to thank you for your latest round of paperback books, and pass along the word to "keep 'em comin'!" The Soldiers greatly appreciate what you do!"

"Thank you all for the paperback books. These will last the Soldiers a long time. I got so many books that I was able to share some boxes with other Ministry Teams that fall under us to give to their units. Again, your continued support and generosity is greatly appreciated. Take care and God bless."

"Selina F: Thank you very much for the books you sent. I have read quite a few books already and I've only been here for 3 months so now I have more to occupy my free time with. I love reading and it does help the time pass quicker especially on those slow days. I am a physical therapist and work here at the ***** Hospital in Baghdad. The soldiers are keeping me busy, whether it is because of back pain from wearing their body armor or from other overuse injuries because they have been working out or running a little too much. I enjoy working here, even though it is hard to be away from my friends and family. I am not married and don't have children so it is a little bit easier than those who do. I am glad I can take part in supporting the soldiers who are out there doing more dangerous things than I am. We have been seeing a decrease in number of patients at the hospital which is great. But that's why we also have more free time to read and watch movies and do other things. Hopefully this year will pass quickly and I will come out from the deployment with good experience and sense of accomplishment as we get ready to turn this place over back to the Iraqis. We have definitely come a long way in the years we have been here. Thank you again for the books."

"As the Vice President of ******, I would like to thank you for supporting us in our endeavors. I would like to especially thank Lillie N., Tom and Diane S., and Sandy S. for taking time to collect reading books that are beneficial to students and community members throughout ******, Iraq. The books are being used in the American Corner of **** University, *****, Iraq to help the students better understand English in preparation for future student and faculty exchanges to **** State University. ***** University has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with **** State that will enable Iraqi students to study abroad starting in fall 2009. Once again thank you for all of your support and for becoming partners of the ******** Foundation Non Profit Organization. We hope to continue to work together on future projects."

"I received your shipment of books today and I wanted to say thank you. As soon as I received the package I let my fellow shipmates go through the box to pick out books they would like. I am so glad there is a program like this out there. Right now I am currently deployed on the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT and have been since September 08. We are currently scheduled to return sometime in April 09. I spend most of my free time reading books and it really made my day to see a whole new box of books arrive. There are so many books that I will share with my shipmates. I will read some and pass them around. After I am finished with the books they will be donated to the Ship's Library so other Sailors can also enjoy the books. Please let me thank you again and I will be forever grateful for your generous donation and support. "

"We received another shipment today. It was sent by Carol V. and what a wonderful shipment it was! We loved the books and magazines. Thank you so much."

"Thank you so much for the books. I think that you all are doing a great job. Keep up the good work. "

"On 2-27-09 PFC Jennifer L. wrote: I'm emailing you to let you know we received a full box of books from J. Dolch. Thank you so much! The books truly mean the world to us. They give us something entertaining to do, so thanks again. We really appreciate it."

"On 2-26-09 Devin W. wrote: Thank you very much, you all are an outstanding group and have helped many soldiers and many more to come. My own unit thought I had some book store or something but many others in my very unit got the same kind of care packages. We loved them as they kept coming and well by the end of April I hope to have read all the books I hand picked out of the collections sent to me. Then I will be sure to have passed them on to others. Thanks again. You are all outstanding. God Bless you all!!!"

"On 2-25-09 Kalyn S. wrote: Many thanks to you and the Friends of the Bartram Trail Library for the box of Operation Paperback books you sent. It arrived yesterday. I will add them to the book exchange shelf we have here. It was down to just 6 books so this is good timing. The box had a good variety so there should be something for everyone. I am sure that the books will be much appreciated by the soldiers here. We all wish we were there in Florida with you enjoying the sunshine. Korea is absolutely freezing right now. Many thanks for your support."

"On 2-24-09, Captain Larry F. wrote: Thank you so much for the donation of paperback books. We received them today. We really appreciated the variety of books that you sent. The troops that process through our base will greatly appreciate the opportunity to take a “good read” with them either to the field or to home. It really helps pass the time for them, as military travel is often a “hurry up and wait” proposition. Again thanks for the books we are truly appreciative of your support. "

"On 2-23-09, SGT. Tuyen N. wrote: We here in ***** have received your books and are very thankful for them. We also received three other boxes from your fellow operation paperback members. Once again thank you for all of your support. "

"On 2-23-09, SSG Juanita V. wrote: I am very appreciative of all the reading material that you have been sending to me and the Soldiers. There are some really GOOD books in the packages and I have definately shared with my comrades. I just wanted to say Thank you for all you had any part in helping the Soldiers out over here. It helps keep our mind off of a few things when we have a good book to curl up with. You guys are all wonderful and we appreciate everything. Once again Thank You."

"On 2-23-09 Noel wrote: Dear Joan Y. and members of the Operation Paper Back, I would like to extend my thanks for sending me these wonderful books, and the rest from start to end of this deployment, I enjoyed them all, while I slowly awaited for my tour to end here in the beautiful sandy desert of Iraq. Most importantly, you kept me occupied, and made me feel great about knowing that someone out there has feelings, and someone cares. and knows that when the time has come, all good things come to an end. I appreciate your support, your thoughts, and prayers until my next deployment. I thank you, my wife and kids thank you, my co-workers and other subordinates thank you as well, as we share these books that you have sent me, and countless others. We'd love to tell you and your family thank you..... my tour has ended, and thanks again for all your dedication, and hard work....God Bless "

"On 2-23-09, SGT Tuyen N. wrote: Thank you! We have received three of your boxes full of interesting books to read. I really do appreciate all the support that your organization is giving us. Once again thank you so much. "

"On 2-21-09 Jose A. wrote: On behalf of the USO and the troops that serve our country, I would like to thank you and your staff for sending us the books. It's a great donation and it gives the troops the opportunity to get away from the day to day difficulties. Thank You and God bless."

"On 2-21-09 CPT Kurt L. wrote: I am writing to thank you for the books you have been sending me. I have been putting together a library for the soldiers on our Fire Base. We have limited sources of entertainment where we are located and your books have given the soldiers something to occupy themselves with. On behalf of the team, we really appreciate your gifts. Thanks again."

"Hope this e-mail finds you well. I just received your shipment of books and can not wait to dig in. Thank you for all the support. It makes the good and bad times that much better."

"Hope this e-mail finds you doing well, Tammy D. I just received your operation paperback shipment. You support of the troops keeps us going especially through the hard times. Thanks a bunch."

"“Greetings from Iraq: One of our soldiers, SPC Joshua S., recently received a few boxes of books through Operation Paperback. He is one of our best medics, and is currently not available to write you, so I am sending this email. On behalf of all the soldiers in our company, I would like to thank you for this generous donation. I understand that these books were a gift from the folks at the United States Security Assistance Command and the Army War College. Please share with them our gratitude, and let them know it was an definitely a morale booster. We are putting together a book shelf, and whatever we can't hold at the barracks, we will send up to the MWR, so that other soldiers on FOB ****** can read these books too. Once again, thanks and God bless you.” "

"My platoon in Iraq has received several shipments of books from your organization and we are very thankful for your help and support. We hope you are having a wonderful spring and best wishes to you."

"“Hi: I just wanted to let you know that I received the huge shipment of books today. Thank you so much for your support. These should keep me occupied for a while. Thanks again!” "

"Thank you for the books that we received here in Iraq. The books, and your time and effort to send them to us, are much appreciated! "

"“I just wanted to say thank you for the books. I got one I wanted for awhile and can’t wait to read it. Thank you. I’m sure the soldiers will find something interesting to read.” "

"From SFC Dan T. in Iraq (03.26.08): “Good morning: My name is SFC Dan T. I recently received a shipment of books from United States Security Assistance Command and would like to send each and everyone that donated a book thank you from myself and the other soldiers here. We will put them to good use, I assure you. We circulate the books around and even turn them in to the library when we are done with them for the follow on unit. Your donations and time spent getting them to us are well received and appreciated. Again thank you all for the kind donations. I’m personally am excited to get into the books and get my mind off things here.”"

"From CDR Mary S. (03.26.08): “Chrissy and Frances: Thank you very much for your support to our library. I truly appreciate the generous contributions as they have helped to build the selection we offer to the military members as well as their families. We are well on our way to having a tremendous summer reading program this year because of your efforts. Now that our stock has increased so significantly we are running low on space to store the wonderful books, videos and DVDs. We definitely want to continue receiving your contributions, however, if it is possible to reduce the number of shipments you send to us to about 1 to 2 boxes per month that would be very helpful.” "

"From MGYSGT James M. in Iraq (03.26.08): “I want to take a few moments to thank you for the time and effort you are all putting in to send these care packages to military members over here. I'm so glad that there are so many people back home supporting what we are doing over here. Thanks again.” "

"From LTCOL Paul K. in Iraq (03.25.08): “Hello: I received a shipment today from Ms Barbara A. Thank you very much! I will send her a note separately to thank her.” "

"From SPC Nicholus S. (03.25.08): “Thank you I will be sure to pass the books you sent to my friends.” "

"From SFC L. R. in Afghanistan (03.25.08): “Greetings from Afghanistan: I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who showed your support to the men and women serving in the military overseas. My team received the reading material you guys sent and are glad that there are people/organizations such as yours that give their support to military service members serving far away from our family and loved ones. In behalf of *****, here at FOB ***** in Afghanistan, thanks for your support and care packages, hope to receive more from you "

"From Chaplain (CPT) Vince G. in Iraq (03.25.08): “Selina and Operation Paperback: Thank you so much for your generous support of our soldiers. It absolutely thrills me to be receiving the boxes through your organization. When I asked for Christian books, I wondered if that would be possible. I have been overwhelmed! I thought that I would at least be able to send a few books over to the places where the soldiers are, instead I am distributing boxes. It is such a wonderful treat for the soldiers and for myself. Being able to give a soldier a book that addresses their area of concern is truly a blessing for my ministry. Operation Paperback has been a ministry multiplier for our unit! Thank you so much for your support and the genuine care of the supporters. I often get personal notes in the boxes that are written to encourage and thank us. It really is uplifting to know that so many Americans are supporting soldiers so seriously. I am so grateful for your generous support.” "

"From PSSN Troy N. (03.25.08): “Hello Chrissy and all at Operation Paperback: I received the package yesterday and it was such a great thing as we have just pulled out for a long spring deployment. The choice was great and very in tune with what I asked for. The other guys also send their thanks as pretty much everybody in my department is either reading a book or has one in their back pocket. Again, thank you so much for what you are doing and it really is making a difference.” "

"From PFC Kristen H. (03.25.08): “Just writing to let you know I have received all the books you've sent me. I've just been really busy lately so it was hard to write back!! I was wondering if you could find and send “Gone With the Wind” and the “Diary of Anne Frank,” but if you can't then don't even worry about it. Thank you for all you've done so far!! I really appreciate it!” "

"From 1LT Joseph B. (03.23.08): “All: Thank you for the books that you have sent me. We pass them around the troop all the time. People like you are hard to come by, and deserve more than we can ever give. These types of organizations that support the soldiers are of great value. You are the true heroes of America and are what we have stood for, for all this time. America has come together regardless of their political stand to support the people of America. Thank you for all that you do and all the support that you continue to give.” "

"From SPC Hector V. (03.23.08): “Thank you for all the books. I was able to share with the rest of my platoon (we are medics). We all really appreciate the help.” "

"From SSG James H. in Afghanistan (03.21.08): “Good Morning: First of all, to the people who started and manage Operation Paperback, THANK YOU!! I had been stuck reading the 6 books I brought with me to Afghanistan until I was given a few of my favorites from another Operation Paperback recipient. I told my wife about you guys and she signed me up. I would like to thank the following for the wonderful shipment of peace of mind: Robert W. and the Rotary Club of Gilmer County; The Perry Bookstore in Georgia; and Captain Wendy W., United Airlines, who sent me exactly what I love the most (Mack Bolan) and only that. I am sorry about the delayed response but I wasn’t near the mail facilities to receive the books for a while. Keep up the good work! You help us keep sane out here.” "

"From MSGT Lyn H. (03.22.08): “Hello: This is to let you know that MSgt Steven H. has received a care package from you. They are still scheduled to be deployed until August 2008 in case you want to continue sending packages. The troops really love them and send their appreciation for all of the support. Some items they requested recently are Sunchips, Combos snacks, door mats, protein bars, granola bars, and jelly beans. It is supposed to be 100 degrees F this weekend, so chocolate is not a good idea to send. I have asked for some pictures from them to send you. Their mailing address is: ****** Thank you again for your kindness.” "

"From 1SG Eunice F. (03.17.08): “Hello all! I received 2 boxes safely and am enjoying the selections greatly and sharing with my unit. Thanks so much for your support of the troops. The support of the American people never ceases to amaze me! Thanks again!” "

"From SGT Jeremy H. in Iraq (03.14.08): “Hello and thank you. I received the box of books today, and wanted to write back to say thank you for all the support. These books will be a great way to relax and escape the situation we are in for a while. I love to read (when I can find time) and have read at least 50 books in the time I’ve been here. These books came at a great time because I am about to go on my mid-tour leave, and am guaranteed hours upon hours of sitting in an airport going through customs and waiting on flights. I can’t wait to go home and see my wife and kids though. I have a 6 year old son and an 18 month old daughter. I am assigned to a target acquisition battery (TAB) out of Ft ******. We are responsible for 10 radar systems in ***** Iraq. We have 4 here near ***** with the other 6 spread out at smaller FOBs (forward operating base). I am the senior radar mechanic for the battery, and get sent out regularly to supervise maintenance on the radars, as well assisting with any and all repairs. I also keep track of approximately $10 million worth of spare parts. As if that isn’t enough, I have the additional task of maintaining our computers and phone communications. A little about our radars, they track incoming mortar and rockets, and give us the point of origin and impact before the rounds hit the ground. This allows us to sound warning sirens and gives personnel in the projected impact area time to get to a bunker. We also get information about where the insurgents are firing from, and can move air support into the area. While we aren’t very well known, we provide a crucial service to the overall combat effectiveness of the region.Once again, thank you for the support. It means more than you can imagine.” "

"I would like to thank you for the books that were sent to me. The letter I got from Jane and Paul V. asked me to send a quick email and let you know that I received the books. So here it is with my profound thanks. There is nothing better than reading a book before bed to take your mind off everything."

"From CPT Timothy H. (03.11.08): “Thanks to Binnie Syril Braunstein of ***** for the abundance of New Yorkers you sent my way! Thanks so much. There’s a lot of good reading material. My unit and I are really appreciative of these since we are out in the middle of nowhere and it’s hard to get good reading material. Thank you so much. I hope all is well with you. Thanks also to Operation Paperback for making this happen! Danke and Gracias.” "

"From PV2 Sean C. (03.11.08): “Dear Operation.Paperback Organization: Yesterday, I received a package of assorted reading materials from you. The package was much appreciated. Wonderfully, the books are all of a general genre that I, as well as a few of my fellow soldiers, rather enjoy. With how stressful things can get out here, books are a nice diversion. Thank you.” "

"From SSGT Walter W. in Iraq (03.05.08): “I received the package with a ton of books in it. They went like hot cakes. From those of us here at Camp***** thank you.” "

"From SPC Jheri S. (03.02.08): “Hello: My name is SPC S. and I am on your mailing list to receive books. I would like to thank you for the support that you have provided. The troops here on ****** appreciated the reading material. But we have run out of room to store the books and so has our very small MWR. I would like to request that your organization stop sending the books. Again, your support has be greatly appreciated by all. Thank you and please keep in touch.” "

"From SSG Brandy B. (02.29.08): “I just wanted to send an email and inform you that myself and my fellow soldier received a box of books each. We would like to extend our sincerest thank you for your generosity while we are deployed. We shall share the abundance of books with the rest of the soldiers in our company. On a side note, I'm from PA. Take care and thank you once again!” "

"From Jeffrey N. (02.29.08): “Operation Paperback: Just sending a note saying I had received the last shipment of books. I apologize for the delay but the tempo over here had picked up a little and this is the first chance I've had to write. Thank you again for all the support.” "

"From MgySgt James M. in Iraq (02.26.08): “I wanted to take a few minutes and thank you from my Marines and I for all of the books you have sent to us. We really appreciate you caring so much to take your time to send these to us. Thanks again for your support.” "

"From Joshua C. in Iraq (02.24.08): “Greetings Operation Paperback: My co-workers and I have received books from The Girls of Summer at escapees at North Ranch, c/o Helen T. Also received books from Waves National Unit #20. It is always nice to get positive support from back home. Thank you for all of your support and God Bless.” "

"From WO1 Vince S. in Iraq (02.24.08): “Ms. Dewell: Thank you for the shipment of books here to my team in Iraq. We are all avid readers and the books came at the right time. I would also like to say thank you to your daughter as well for serving her country over here in this unstable place. I know you are very proud of her. Again, I thank you and the men of Special Forces ****** thank you.” "

"From CPT Neal F. in Iraq (12.12.07): “Mr. Tarpey, thank you for donating Stephen King's ‘Pet Semetary’ and ‘Misery’ to Operation Paperback. My name is Neal F. I'm a U.S. Army Captain currently deployed to Iraq as an military advisor to the Iraqi Border Police as part of the Multi-National Security Transition Command. I'm currently in ***** and finished reading ‘Pet Semetary’ and will next read ‘Misery.’ Thank you for your donation. It makes a difference to the soldiers here, especially the young enlisted who may not be able to tote around a laptop computer.”"

"Thank you so much for your support of the Operation Paperback program. I just received your box of books and it's perfect. Since you sent several books, this will keep my mind occupied when I have some down time. Thank you, Rebecca D."

"Thank you for your help in fully stocking our library at FOB Shank in Afghanistan. As a matter of fact, we had so many books come in that we have forwarded books to our outlying locations. Now they are also fully stocked. I know that I have read a few books since I have been here. I will have my assistantsend you a photograph of the library here so that you can see for yourself. Please be aware that we have no more space here at this location. Emerson B"

"I have a request to notify you of receipt of books from your organization, yes we have received them. I would also like to thank you for this support. I run a small Navy passenger terminal in Sicily. We have daily missions running servicemen to and from the gulf region. While waiting for flights and during flights these books are available to these passengers, they are extremely important as we don't have a lot of amenities here for them. Thanks again for this support to the troops it is a vital support and is truly welcomed."

"I was so excited when your box came in! Getting mail around here is probably one of the best things that happens. What ya'll do is amazing, thank you again for your support, it means a lot to us so far from home."

"We greatly appreciate all of the support you give us through your gifts of paperback books. I especially and personally appreciate the personal messages from people like Parsons Brinckerhoff from Seattle, WA. Again, Thank You, SGT Sean B"

"I would like to say THANK YOU for all the books I have received. They have provided me with great moments of entertainment and company. The service you provide is extremely valuable. I am sharing the books with other servicemembers on the base. Your goodwill has touched many people already. Please thank Mr. Jaime Trujillo, Mrs. Sue Story and Mrs. Mary Musich for me. I greatly appreciate their time and commitment. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts. Very Respectfully, Philip B."

"I have been telling troops about your program everyday. It is so great to just be able to sit down and read and just take some time out of our schedules for ourselves. I really appreciate all the support that you give to us. It is nice to know that people give us support in some way when we are gone from our families and homes. You are a saving grace for many people all over the world. Your web-site is truly uplifting and I hope to get more people involved in your program. If there is anything that I could ever do for you let me know, I will be happy to try anything that I can. Sincerely, Erica B."

"Please let Ms. Susan Merlo know that all the beautiful books she sent to us in Jalalabad, Afghanistan haved arrived. Our little library is growing as well as the amount of service members using it. People are very thankful for your support. The interest demonstrated by all of you has an important positive effect on our morale and welfare. Once we have everything organized I will send some photographs of our library. Thanks a million times. Sincerely SSG Robert B."

"I am currently serving overseas in Afghanistan. I just wanted to leave a quick note saying how much I appreciate your services. I have received an overwhelming amount of books from all over the United States. It is such an honor to be thought of in this way. I am very grateful for all the books, and I was able to share most of them with the rest of my company in which I am deployed with. Thanks you so much! Sincerely, SPC Jami F"

"I received the books that were sent to me in Kosovo. Thanks for all you do to support us."

"Today we recieved more books from Ogletre Deakins and again, they are what we are looking for. They are already on the shelf and awaiting our troops when we open for business. Again, many thanks!Chuck L."

"Thank you so much for the wonderful books from Jane and Paul Varley!! They are exactly what I needed, not even sure how they found one since it is out of print, so I really, really appreciate all of the thoughtfulness and eftort. You guys are doing wonderful work and we are so grateful for all of your support. Warmly, LT Jayme G US Navy"

"I have received a number of boxes from patriotic and concerned people back home. I have distributed the books amongst the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines I serve with here in western Baghdad. I also redirected a large box of books to Basrah in Southern Iraq, though they may not have much time for reading at the moment. The names of people I have received the boxes from includes (and this isn't everyone as I already sent letters to several of them and don't have their info handy right now):> - Selina Fansler of Newville, PA - Penny Clark of Norwood, NY - Lori Marshall of Elizabeth, CO - Bob Mattivi of Yorba Linda, CA Thank you so much for sponsoring such a wonderful idea. I can guarantee that the books are going to good use here. I have to admit, I am now being challenged to keep up with the ones I've picked out for myself, so I have had to cut myself off from selecting any more for a while. Semper Fidelis, Patrick M"

"I got my books the other day. You all did great making the selections. Thank you, Mitch "

"I recently received another package from Operation Paperback, this one from Sharon Vonderchek and her family. Please pass along my thanks on behalf of my entire unit over here. You all have made a wonderful difference for us!"

"To all of you great folks-the Salah Ad Din Provincial Reconstruction team wants to say 'MANY THANKS!' for all the quality reading material you have been kind enough to send us. I have sent a personal 'thank you' note to each of the donors. Again-our thanks for your support to the troops and civilians at the SaD PRT! "

"I have been on this mission for a little over nine months and your generous gift has truly been a God send! I have enjoyed the gift of books from this organization in Afghanistan and Iraq and now here. The books received here are a huge morale booster to the Marines and Sailors stationed here. Thank you for your continued support. v/r>> BMC (EXW/SW/AW) Chuck L"

"I have got 3 boxes of books. Mail has been running slow. I appreciate all the that you have done for us here. These books have been put to good use. Please send more, if you can. It makes a big difference to Soldiers, Airmen and Civilians serving for the same reason-Freedom. Thanks Again, TSgt Jeffery M."

"Mrs. Bernhardt's 6th grade class, Thank you so much for the many books you guys sent me. I got the box yesterday. The box was extra special being that my little brother is in the 6th grade also so getting a box from you all was like getting a box from him. Feel free to email me anytime you want...Thank you, Tiffany"

"Hello: I am SSG Kim C. and I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I received the book shipment. This will help me to relax over here by reading. Thank you. "

"“Selina Fansler and Folks: I've received a couple of packages of books. I appreciate what you guys do; thank you. I also received exactly what I requested (Stephen King and/or sci-fi/action); you guys rock. Thank you again.” "

"From MWR Supervisor Rachel N. in Honduras (02.26.08): “Please pass to Fernando and Carol Perez my thanks for the books. Once again, books that are not on our shelves, and therefore a great bonus...we're always looking for new titles. Thanks for all the support and I will hold onto the Christmas bookmarks until Christmas and display them in the Library. Thanks.” "

"I received a second package from Operation Paperback recently. And, again, I am blown away by the level of generosity you all have shown us! With your help, I have been able to contribute well over 30 books to the catalogue at our little MWR library here. No doubt this has a positive affect on all the Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen in my unit! We are all truly grateful for the generosity, support, and thoughtfulness of those who donate to and volunteer at Operation Paperback! People like you make all the difference in the world to those of us serving over here! Thanks again."

"From MWR Supervisor Rachel N. in Honduras (02.21.08): “I received a box of books from Ms Dorothy H. There were quite a few very welcome westerns, and the rest were books that were not on our shelves. Thank you for your continued support.” "

"“Greetings: We just got the first box of books from Mustang Engineering and they were quickly picked up by our patrons. Thanks so much.” "

"“Hello: Just a quick note to let you know that I received the package you sent to me and my soldiers. We really appreciate what you do for us out here. Thank you and keep up the great work! God Bless!” "

"“Dear Operation Paperback : I wanted to thank you, and specifically the BY THE BOOK GROUP and TIM & BRYNN D., for the shipments of books that I received. All of the men in my platoon are reading and sharing the books and they all thank you as well. You are an inspiration and have helped make this tour in Iraq a little easier. Thank you!” "

"“Mr. and Mrs. A.: Thank you both and all your friends for the great box of books. The books were ones not currently on our shelves. They will be read as we are in the middle of a large exercise with people (350+) rotating in and out every two weeks to two remotes sites. Books are a great way to break the monotony. As for your letter concerning writing soldiers here, I have passed the information along to the Chaplain and all the Senior Enlisted Advisors. Again, thanks to all of you for your generous support"

"“Thanks, Marilynne, for all the great books. Really do appreciate the thoughtfulness of all your folks.” "

"Thanks for the books!!!! We appreciated the nice picture of the California Highway patrol too. Thanks for all your support. Be Blessed!!!"

"The holiday season came upon us quickly and the thank you list grew. But no matter how late this wish was, we all wanted to take the time so you knew that we thank you beyond what words can express and say for all the love you put into those boxes that day! On behalf of the USS Iwo Jima, especially the ADP (Automated Data Processing) Division, we thank you for the books you sent us. They have not only been appreciated by the shop but by the entire crew as well since we donated them to the library on board. And since we have marines on board as well, I am sure they probably have a few of the books you sent us as well. I wish you and your families many blessings and lots of love this new year."

"I received my second shipment of books today and I wanted to say thank you. I also received a shipment of books in December. As soon as I received the package I let my fellow shipmates go through the box to pick out books they would like. Before I got the chance the box was thrown away. I did not get a chance to get the sender's address nor his email address. If you could send me his email, home address, or forward this email to him, I would be very grateful. I am so glad there is a program like this out there. Right now I am currently deployed on the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT and have been since September 08. We are currently scheduled to return to Norfolk, Va sometime '09. I spend most of my free time reading books and it really made my day to see a whole new box of books arrive. There are so many books that I will share with my shipmates. I will read some and pass them around. After I am finished with the books they will be donated to the ship's library so other sailors can also enjoy the books. Please let me thank you again and I will be forever grateful for your generous donation and support."

"Thank you so much for all the books that different people have sent me! I have sent individual thank you cards but would also like to thank anyone else that was involved that I did not know about. Thank you!!!! I will be leaving Afghanistan in about two weeks so I will no longer need anymore books. Thank you again for all your support!!!!"

"I cannot thank you enough for the two boxes of books that I received today! There will be a lot of soldiers who will be happy to pass them around. I have taken a few for myself, and will ensure they make it to other soldiers. While a box of snacks from home is nice to receive, I firmly believe that the best gift that can be given to a soldier (or anyone for that matter) is the gift of reading. I cannot speak for others, but I take comfort in being able to escape into a good book, even if only for a few minutes. Thank you again on behalf of my fellow soldiers for all you do!"

"Barbara B., I just wanted to send a quick note to say that I received the shipment of paperbacks the other day. My team and I really appreciate your support. It's always great to know that we have the support of our fellow Americans back home, while we are serving here in Iraq. Thanks again. "

"I have received your shipment of books! I cannot begin to tell you how much your thoughts and efforts mean to me and my fellow soldiers Thank you again for all you do for us! "

"Many thanks to Joan Y. and everyone at Operation Paperback for the shipment of books I just received! Each and every title will find a good home with a thankful soldier heading in-country!"

"I received the box of mystery books Tina P. sent. Thank you very much for your support. I passed them out to many of the soldiers and put the rest in a common area for other soldiers to take at their leisure (what little of that happens around here, that is). Anyway, thank you for your support. It is appreciated to know that we are supported."

"Thank you for the shipment of books. The hours we work here are very long and reading a good book gives us a chance to relax and escape the home sickness we are all feeling. I’ll make sure I put the boxes in the Passenger or PAX Terminal where literally hundreds of soldiers and airmen wait for flights taking them downrange or if they are lucky…home. Again, thank you for your thoughts, prayers and efforts. They are appreciated."

"Just wanted to write and thank you for the three boxes of books already received from Operation Paperback just this month. The selection has been excellent and we are very pleased with the professionalism presented by the staff who are in contact with "USS". The choice of books has been in keeping with the needs of our seafaring patrons and we are most grateful for the kindness of those (Dennis G. of American Legion Post at Rochester, New York, and Charmion W. of Belmont, California) who have taken both the time and gone to the expense to ship books to us. My thanks to you, Chrissy, and your fine staff."

" I wanted to take a moment to say "THANK YOU" for sending us another shipment of paperbacks! Thank you very much!!!! "

"I'm stationed in Afghanistan. We are just over half way through our 15 month deployment here. I have just received a few books that you sent our way. I just wanted to thank you for your kind support. I have a little bit of a library myself here. Your support means the world to ushere. I just wanted to say thanks for all you're doing to boost our morale. It helps a bunch."

"I received three shipments of books today and I cannot thank you enough. I am so glad there is a program like this out there. Right now I am currently deployed on the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT and have been since September 08. We are currently scheduled to return to Norfolk, Va sometime in '09. I spend most of my free time reading books and it really made my day to see three boxes of books arrive. There are so many books that I will definitely share with my shipmates. I will read some and pass them around. After I am finished with the books they will be donated to the ship's library so other sailors can also enjoy the books. Please let me thank you again and I will be forever grateful for your generous donation and support."

"Thank you, Adele C., for sending the books through Operation Paperback. I received some other boxes on the same day from other OP groups. It's a real pleasure to have a diversion from the battlefield. Thanks again."

"Thanx again for bringing smiles and brightening our outlook as we escape from reality in our books and magazines that your volunteers have sent. I received my third package today since the New Year and have made many converts towards your organization. As I know it may be a challenge to send a care package to a military member that you may not get a thank you card from, I always send a post card and/or a short note to show my appreciation. I'd like to give a big "shout out" to the Cohen and Schuler familes of Virginia and the Bossarte family of Georgia. Thanx again for makin' my day!!!"

" Thank you so much for the latest shipment of books. This is the third shipment of books your organization has sent and they just keep getting better. My platoon and I enjoy the books. This box was sent by the VA Beach Rep Women's Club. Thank you as well."

"Thank you very much for your shipments of books. I’ve gotten the word out and soldiers have already been combing through the boxes for something to read. The other soldiers and I would like to send our appreciation for your support. Thank you, to all who volunteer and give their time, for showing the best of American values and virtues."

"We received a shipment of books from Ms. M. in Greensboro, NC. Thank you very much!! Only two more months overseas, but who’s counting!"

" I wanted very much to write and thank Selina and Sally F., the employees of TDP Customer Service and United Concordia for the large box of books we received today. We are most grateful for your kind donation and thank you for your generosity and kindness. The books will be placed in a paperback library that serves to meet some of the needs of sailors, airmen and merchant mariners assigned to the small island of Diego Garcia which is "smack dab" in the middle of the Indian Ocean(a long way from here to anywhere). We are most grateful for your thoughtfulness and ask that you accept our deepest gratitude for your noteworthy efforts on our behalf. We are most grateful. With all best wishes in this rather difficult New Year. "

"Thank you for showing your support for deployed soldiers. Your effort means a lot, especially to soldiers who don't receive much mail. During the little down time we have it brings great joy to us to read books from people who care. Many thanks from our brothers and sisters in arms."

"So far we have received three large boxes of paperback books from your organization. We have just finished building our book case and the books have been very well received. Thank you for your continued support! Sincerely, SGT Peter H. Morale Coordinator"

"I just wanted to say thank you so much for the books that you sent me, I did receive them and they were all so great. I keep some of the books, but most of the time I donate them to the personnel that are flying through here and get stuck for a few days, reading helps the time go by[= Again, thank you so much for the support, we appreciate it so much PFC Ashley R."

"I am with B 4-5 ADA 35th BDE. Our unit is currently deployed to Korea. We are here for one year without our families. Our Command has recieved numerous books from your organization, which they distribute to the Soldiers. I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate it, and how much your support means to us. For a brief moment the books help take our minds off missing our families, and the day to day stresses we deal with. Thank You!SSG James R"

"Hello I receieved the books. I just want to say thank you for sending me books. I love to read and I am enjoying my time now reading and sharing the books with the other soldiers. Once again thank you for the books. Marie "

"I want to thank you for the books. So far, I have read many classics that I would otherwise never have been able to get my hands on. I cannot thank you enough for the distraction that you provide, it is both a great escape and a lot of enjoyment letting the mind escape into the world of Schindler's List or the Good Earth. Respectfully, BRIAN B"

"I just wanted to send a few lines to say THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I put in my request a little over a month ago and now a unit who had no books has two small libraries to choose from. It really is overwhelming how much support we got and I cannot tell you how much my soldiers appreciate the opportunity to escape their daily routines by reading a new book whenever they want to. It has given them something to look forward to. I especially want to thank Chappaqua Library who has been amazing in sending us boxes upon boxes of books. The Bryant Family,Fabyless Books, Mr. Milroy, the Rotary Club of Gilmer County, Mr.Wilson, Ms. Miller and everyone else who has taken the time and effort to help us out. Thank you again for all your wonderful support."

"I wanted to write you and let you know that I received the books and that they will be put to great use by my soldiers and myself. I would also like to thank you for everything you do for us while we are deployed. rnJames O"

"Hello, I'm just writing to say thank you for the box of books. I just got them in the mail. I look forward to reading them. Iraq can be mind-numbingly dull and having some good books to read really provides an escape from the boredom. Again thank you. Sincerely, Ryan F"

"I want to thank you for all the books that you sent to me and my fellow soldiers. To say thanks seem to be so little for all that you and your organizations do. Thanks again and God Bless. MSG Patricia A."

"I am not a service member, but I am the mother of one who is currently stationed at Kandahar, Afghanistan. He phoned me this morning to tell me, with great glee, of his return to base to discover several packages of books! He'd signed up to receive books three weeks ago, and had been away from the base until this morning. There really is no way to adequately describe how it warmed my heart to know that your organization is there to help my son get through this time far away from home. I will forever be grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Stephanie K"

"Dear Operation Paperback, You guys have been so wonderful about sending books to me and my Soldiers here in Iraq. I just received another box of books today. Thanks again! V/R, 1LT KARYN M"

" I would like to thank you for the care package of books that I received today. It is so nice to to get something to take you mind off of the day to day stress of Iraq. I do convoys here as my mission, so it is great to be able to just pull a book out when we reach our destination and unwind. Thank you all so very much for your kindness and support, Spc. Joe C."

"Thanks you so much for all your support!! I'm am drowning in an abundance of books at the moment. I have been sharing them with everyone here. It's amazing how much you guys care and want to show your support. We all really appreciate it. Thanks again for all your wonderful support!! "

"Thank you for sending us books. We do have some free time and the books help us to relax. I received the package today and wanted to let you know how much we appreciate all that the volunteers have > done for us. Take care! Jennifer S"

"I am currently deployed to Kosovo. One of our Troops received a shipment of books from you , and we wanted to let you know that we have received them. We thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate all you do for the Soldiers that are away from there Loved Ones. Thank you and have a great day. SPC Michelle S."

"Our team would like to thank you for the books that we received. It is very much appreciated. It's really good to know that we have people back home supporting what we're doing! Again, thank you and keep up the good work! Godspeed! Happy 4th! God bless the USA!!! Very respectfully,> HM3 Ramon G"

"Thank you so much for the two boxes of books. I am here at a location where there are lots of "guy" books - Tom Clancy, Vince Flynn, etc. It was so nice to open the books and see so many "gal" books that I can read. I plan on passing on the books to my fellow female book lovers. I don't know if you recognized my name, but I was recently an organizer for shipments of books out of Monterey, California. It's funny now to be on the receiving end of the books. But I also have a better understanding now of how the boxes we sent helped brighten someone's day. Thank you for thinking of us. And happy Independence Day! Maureen B, 1st Lt, US Air Force"

"I would like to leave a note for Tom Maniace. The books that were provided by him were much appreciated. The time that he has put into sending books to the Soldiers overseas are great. And being from NY myself, well that was an added bonus. Once again, thanks for all your hard work and dedication to this great program."

"Thank you Operation Paperback! I have used your support on every deployment and you guys always come through for the Troops! We have set up a shared library with the books you sent so that everyone can enjoy a good book. Thank you to all the individual supporters who take time to find and mail the books. Your efforts are truly appreciated more than words can express. "

"Today I received seven, count 'em, seven different Operation Paperback packages! Our Marines were hovering as I loaded up the shelves. Thanks so much! There were all kinds of great titles and authors . . . Ivanhoe, Whitman, Wilde, Bronte, Madame Bovary, Jules Verne, Calvin & Hobbes, Kipling, The Far Side, H. G. Wells, and a bunch of great non-fiction stuff in addition to modern fiction writers. We are truly thankful for your great contributions to our morale and always look forward to the next shipment. The following is a list of folks who sent packages: Lori Marshall from Elizabeth, CO (two packages), Selina Fansler from Newville, PA, P. L. Clark from Norwood, NY> Kay Kenaga from Midland, MI> Communities in Schools from Lubbock, TX> Marge Stacy from Salem, SC>> Thanks again! Take care, GySgt Mark J."

"Greetings! I hope all is well with you. Just wanted to let you know that we received two shipments of books: One from a Ms. Diane Papa from Midland, Michigan and another from a Mr. John Hamilton from Byesville, Ohio. There were some great titles in both shipments. Thank you so much. Take care! Sincerely, GySgt Mark J."

"THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE SUPPORT YOUR GROUP IS BEEN GIVING TO OUR COMPANY. WE ARE A MEDICAL COMPANY AND THE BOOKS OPERATION PAPERBACK IS SENDING HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN THE SOLDIERS WHO WORK AT THE HOSPITAL AND THE PATIENTS. THANKS FOR BEING SO KIND AND HELPING US. READING IS AN AMAZING HOBBY. WE HAVE A MINI LIBRARY AT THE PATIENT WAITING ROOM WITH BOOKS AND ONCE THE SOLDIERS READ IT THEY USUALLY BRING THEM BACK TO US SO SOMEONE ELSE CAN READ IT. THANKS FOR THE MEDICAL BOOKS. WE HAVE IT AT THE AID STATION SO WE CAN USE IT AS QUICK REFERENCE WHEN WE HAVE A PATIENT WITH AN UNUSUAL ASSESMENT. THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT JOB. JOSELINE.T."

"I just wanted to let you know that I did get the box of books, and have shared them with my soldiers. We all just wanted to say thank you for your support."

"HI, I JUST WANTED TO WRITE AND SAY "THANKS" TO THOSE WHO MAILED US BOOKS. WE LOVE TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY AND WE LOVE JUST AS MUCH THE SUPPORT WE RECEIVE FROM GREAT ORGANIZATIONS, LIKE YOURS, AND THE GREAT AMERICANS WHO DONATE THE BOOKS!!! THANKS AGAIN AND SEMPER FIDELIS!!! SSGT. C (USMC)"

" Greetings, In the last few months the Patient Library has received numerous boxes full of book and audiobook donations from as far as Oak Grove, MO, Ogden, UT, Hampton Bays, NY, Tujunga, CA, and Lubbock, TX. Our sincere gratitude to all the kind folks who take the time to think of the hospitalized troops and their family members. Hortencia L."

"I wanted to thank you for the hard work you do in order for those of us who are deployed to get these books we have been receiving. We appreciate your effort in making this place a little more like home for us. From the Marines stationed at Al-Asad Air Base working at the Ammunition Supply Point"

"I would like to thank you for all of the books received up until now. I have received about 7 packages with several useful items in them. I have replied to everyone who took the time out to send a package. This is a great thing that you are doing and I encourage you to continue. I'm a veteran Soldier but even those of us who have made this (Iraq)trip a couple times still need motivation. I do believe that we have enough books to last us the remainder of this deployment (9 more to go!). I just wanted to thank you but you can discontinue sending the books. I pray that all of you and your families are in good health. God Bless SSG Charmella D."

"The Ogletree Deakins Library Staff, Just want to let you know your books arrived today. On behalf of myself and others who'll benefit from them, thank you. Please continue supporting all us troops and pray for our soon, safe> return home. May God bless you, your families, and the USA! Sincerely, Nathan "

"I hope you are well. I'm writing to give you and your organization my deepest thanks for all the books I received for our little library at Camp Hughie in Jalalabad Afghanistan. The books arrived this past Sunday and tomorrow I will be organizing them into the Library. The books sent are wonderful, and will be a good use for soldiers and service personnel. Our camp is small, we don't have many amenities like bigger bases, but we try to make life as safe and comfortable as possible. Your support has contributed with this effort. Thanks again a million times. Sincerely SSG Robert B."

"Please THANK the staff and faculty of Ramsey Elementary School in Minn for the box of books. They sent one that I will put to use: "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" I've been looking for questions so I can set up a Millionare games night. Thanks again. Rachel N."

"I received a box of books from Ellen Greeke and I just wanted to say thank you for all your support. You guys are great!"

"Hello all. I received a box of books from you yesterday. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and concern. They books are greatly appreciated and will be put to good use. Thanks again. V/R Stephen H."

"I just wanted to say Thank You for the wonderful books and magazines we received yesterday from your organization. The selection was perfect and most have already found homes. It seems everyone likes a good mystery, western, "who done it" or novel. Our book shelves are in much better shape than they were thanks to all of you. If you should find a few more, send them on as we always have room and the troops sure seem to enjoy them. Thanks again Chuck L USO Camp Buehring"

"I would like to say Thank you for your shipment of books to myself and my company. It is organizations like yours that helps us get through our deployment. It is an enjoyable experiance to get mail and a box of books to share amongst my fellow Soldiers. Many thanks to your organization and the many volunteers. Michael I. SSG"

"Just wanted to say that I have received the paperback book box...I just want to say thank you and to let you know that they will be read by Soldiers and Patients alike. Thank you to all the Parishioners at Our Lady of the Angels, Bradenton FL. God Bless you all! v/r,>> SFC Max R."

"I received your books today and I wanted to thank you very much for these vessels of knowledge. They definitely help pass the time productively while overseas. The many books I have received have gone into a shelf at our unit, making it convenient for Soldiers to get their hands on good books. Thanks again."

"I was just writing to let you know that I received the books that you had sent. Thank you so very much I am sure I will enjoy them!! They looked like some really good books.!!! Thanks again. VR SPC Jessie G."

"I just wanted to let you know that I received your shipment of books from the commandant's reading list. Thank you so much, the Marines will enjoy them. R Maj Richard C."

"I would just like to say thank you for the books that I received. I am very sorry it has taken me a while to send this note, but please don't think my gratitude is any less than it would have been previously. It's truly a blessing to have people like yourselves who take the time to do something special for others. I'm sure I am not wrong in saying that all the troops deployed really appreciate all that you do for us. Something as simple as sending a book is such a huge gesture for each of us, and I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you Marilynne Hill, Rhoda Hall & Virginia Tech Faculty Women's Book Club, and Dan and Shirley Alley SSG Yashica G."

"This is to inform you that we received a shipment of books and magazines yesterday afternoon through the mail from you. Thank You all for the great selection of books and magazines. Our troops here at Camp Buehring are most greatful and went through the books the minute they were put on display in our library. As usual, the mysteries and the westerns are the first to go along with the WEB Griffin, Tom Clancy, V.C. Andrews and the Pattersons. Our troops are pretty big history readers also, so that gives us a wide variety of books to make them happy. We certainly appreciate all that you do and sincerely thank you. Please "keep um coming". Thank You Chuck L. Programs Manager USO Camp Buehring Kuwait"

"I just wanted to send a big thank you to some very big hearted individuals. On Saturday I received a package from Lorna Cacciatore. I loved the envelope with all its bright colors and smiley faces. I opened it and she had sent me Memory In Death By Nora Roberts Writing as J. D. Robb. I started reading it right away and finished it on Sunday. Today I was so surprised when the mail clerk told me I had 4 packages. The first one was from Nancy Massey who sent me books number four and five in the In Death Series. The second one was from Robert and Jo Ann Scholl who sent me books number twelve, eighteen, nineteen, twenty one and twenty three in the In Death Series. The third one was from Louise Leone, and Mountainbrook Village Library and Rotary Club who sent me ten books two of which were In Death books numbers ten and twenty two. The fourth package was from Kathy and Peggy who sent me fourteen books two of which were In Death books numbers twenty and twenty two. Plus they included Remember When with Nora Roberts writing as herself and as J. D. Robb. I can't wait to read all of these awesome books that all of these great supporters have sent to me. I love reading and Nora Roberts is my favorite author and when I discovered the In Death Series. I was impressed with J. D. Robb and then I really looked at the cover of the In Death book I was reading and realized that the Author of that book was Nora Roberts. Anyway I have always been a bookworm and I will read every one of the books that have been sent to me. I am sending all of you a great big thank you. When I signed up with Operation Paperback I wasn't sure what to expect but boy all I can say is that each and every one involved in this organization Rocks. Thank You, Sandra"

"To Dale Roberts and any others who contributed, Thank you so much for the books! I picked one out, then shared the rest with the other Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen who work here at the Multi-National Corps Iraq (MNC-I) headquarters in Baghdad. Your generosity and kind thoughts are really appreciated by everyone here. Semper Fidelis, Patrick M. Col, US Marine Corps Reserve"

"You guys are Great! This Rocks! Shannon"

"Thanks so much for all the books, Really great titles. They are being used right now by our Navy people. It really is such a big boost for the people here to be able to pick up one of these and spend some time reading. Thanks again, Richard"

"Thank you so much for sending the books. I received them today and we are all very excited to begin reading. The variety is fantastic, it covers many of the Marines' taste in books. Although we do have a lot to do, reading is a great way to relax. I thank you and the supportive citizens back home for all that you have done for us. Lcpl Jennifer S. USMC>"

"We appreciate the books!! Special thanks to Ellen Greeke, the Knox Country Republicans Women, the Knox Country Republican Committee, the Jackson Memorial Library, Larry's Shop and all those others that helped. Thanks so much !!! Colonel Dominic C."

"Thank you for the books that you have sent. I really appreciate it. I especially enjoy the Stephen E. Ambrose books that I recieved. I am a big collector of that writer. And thank you for all the War books. I truly wasn't expecting it and it meant a lot to me. They were recieved in perfect condition as well. Thank you once again for the books that you sent! SGT Neil G."

"Just wanted to write you a quick note and thank you for the books! They are definitely going to help us pass the time, there was a wild convergence on the box when it got here as everyone went through it to pick out a book. I think everyone wound up happy and we were all excited to get some mail. Thanks again, LCpl Bradley S. "

"We just got a box of really great books from the Literary Book Club at John Jay High School, San Antonio, TX. Thanks to Pat and all the kids there. Texans have mighty big hearts. Richard Librarian - Sigonella Navy Air Station"

"Wow!! That is the first words that came out of my mouth. The amount of books that came the first time I was amazed. There were no other words to describe it. The books help a lot of our servicemen take there mind off of what was going on around them. They even started recommending books they to each other and was convincing them to read it. I listened to them go back and fourth "I don't read those kind of books" then their head is buried deep in the book. It was funny & uplifting. I thank you again and you guys are amazing!!!! Lots of love to you and your family for taking the time out to help us S/F> HM2 Nigel J NAVY CUSTOMS BAT HOTEL"

"I want to Thank you guys for the books that I received. They are > being passed around for reading and my peers and subordinates thank > you as well. > > Thank You "

"Troop Supporters, I wanted to thank you and your team for your efforts supporting the Nation's men and women while we are deployed to Afghanistan. My team appreciates the books you have sent and we cannot thank you enough. My team is doing a great job here and you would be proud of them all. Take care. LTC Charles B."

"I received the books that you guys sent out. I read at least 3 (three) books per week. These should hold me for a while. Thanks for all that you do to support the troops. Thank you TERRI R."

"I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SENT ME BOOKS SO FAR. I REALLY ENJOY READING. THIS IS SUCH A NICE EFFORT. AGAIN THANKS FOR YA'LLS SUPPORT. SSG ROCKY S., USA"

"Troop Supporters, I wanted to thank you and your team for your efforts supporting the Nation's men and women while we are deployed to Afghanistan. My team appreciates the books you have sent and we cannot thank you enough. My team is doing a great job here and you would be proud of them all. Take care. LTC Charles B."

"Thank you for the books you have sent. I picked one up today with your sticker on it. If you continue sending books, send more non-fiction, biographies, how-to's, travel, history. Thank you again.-American Soldier - Balad, Iraq"

"Friends of the Belmont Library in Belmont, CA, Just wanted to let you know I got the books you sent. On behalf of myself and the troops who benefit from them--thank you. May God bless all of you, your families, and the USA! Sincerely, Nathan B."

"I have received another two boxes of books from you guys and can't tell you how much they are appreciated. The first was from Ellen in April, and just today I got another from Selina Fansler. These are terrific books, and everyone is enjoying them. Thank you so much!1LT KARYN M."

"Dear Kathy Furlong, Thank You so very much for the Books. They are great, and thank you for the " extra " surprises, some of the guys liked them too. The books will get read, some by me and hopefully the rest will find homes with the others. We have a little MWR room that the Battalion Chaplain has set up in our area, and we can swap snacks and books or what not if we so choose, so don't feel that your generous gift will not be appreciated, because I noticed some of the books were missing when I went back awhile later after placing them on the book shelf. I, of course, kept the ones that are the coolest. Thank You once again for sharing a small token of home with me and my fellow soldiers."

"On behalf of all the soldiers of Fox Company, I would like to thank you for your kind words and generosity of supporting our soldiers that are currently deployed. I cannot express enough in words how wonderful a feeling it brings to know that we are thought about and cared for by fine US Citizens as yourself that are able to donate their time, effort, and gifts that bring smiles and a chance to take a breath and be able to relax, even if just for a short while. Your kind gift is greatly appreciated and will be shared with those in our unit for the duration of our deployment, as well as further units to come in the future. Please know that your generosity and feelings of care and support will not soon be forgotten. Your kind words of wisdom bring feelings of pride and support to the front of all of our minds. We thank you for your prayers, and will not soon forget the great deed that you have done, or the support that you offer our soldiers in this time of duty."

"This morning I received a box with books galore! The package is greatly appreciated here and will be put to good use here. The troops are looking forward to reading these interesting selections. Thanks again. "

"Thank you so so much for the paper books. They are so appreciated by my Soldiers - the Rakkasans appreciate all you do for our Troops! Colonel Dominic C."

"I would like to thank both Sydney Jenkins of Richmond, VA and Tammy Drum and Family of Fishers, IN for the books that I received for my unit. They were all in good shape and condition. My troops really appreciate your support. Again Thank You, CPT Derek S."

"Thank you so much for answering my request. I really appreciate it! Sometimes, our families do not have the money to send us stuff. V/r, YN2 Ivy W."

"I thank you for the books. They were received with gratitude. I am sorry that I didn't send an e-mail sooner, but I have been busy. Our Platoon is an outlining Platoon, meaning that we are away from our company and sometimes we have to be original to get things done. I was a carpenter before coming in the Army and, my skills > have been used Alot, even with all of the support companies, sometimes to get things done you have to do them yourself. Well needless to say, it will be nice to sit back at night and read a good book and for a little while forget that I am far away from my family, that I'm just reading a book to relax at home. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN"

"Thank You all so much. Today I received a shipment of books and shared them with everyone in the office. We all greatly appreciate your support and look forward to turning a couple of pages. Thanks again!!! V/R SGT L"

"Thanks so very much --- a special thanks to Jim Mosakowski for the books we received. Truly wonderful to see great Americans supporting our troops. Again -thank you. Colonel Dominic C."

"To whom it may concern: I received a book today called "Purpose Driven life" and really appreciate this shipment. Thank you for all that you do for the troops stragetically placed around the globe and may God continue to bless your organization and operation. Again, thank you for your dedication and commitment. Thanks, Harold W."

"Dear sir or ma'am: I just wanted to drop you an email like you requested stating that I received the package of books through your website. I just want to tell you thanks, and that being deployed overseas far away from family and friends it is real nice to know that us as soldiers have the support of fellow Americans. The books are the best way to drift away from the rigourous and stressful day to day routine of a soldier in harms way in the combat theatre. I will enjoy them and pass them on along to my fellow soldiers when I'm finished with them. What you are doing means a great deal to myself and my fellow comrads. Thank you for the reading material and for your support. Spc Matthew S."

"Please send my THANK YOU's to all the volunteers who sent me packages of books and DVD's. Your generosity is unforgettable and made our deployment more enjoyable. I can't personally Thank You each of you, so I can only send my sincere Thank You for supporting the troops. Please keep every troop in your prayers and continue the support. You don't know what happiness your packages mean to each of the troops who receive them. THANK YOU SO MUCH."

" Sir, Thank you for your support and for the great books!! My unit will enjoy the books. Thank you, Sincerely, CPT Duncan A"

"Operation Paperback, Thank you so much for your prompt response to my book request! I'm so excited to have such a selection of books to read. I've started a mini library with the books that you have sent, and seen several Soldiers help themselves. I really appreciate your kindness, please thank everyone there for donating and sending these great books our way. I've gotten two boxes of books so far. Thanks again, we love the support from folks back home. Sincerely, KARYN M."

"Greetings from San Antonio! The Patient Library has received numerous boxes of book donations from some very kind people in the last few months. The donations came from as far as Naperville, IL, Palos Verdes Estates, CA, Ogden, UT, Lubbock, TX, and Mountainside, N.J. Thank you for these gifts for the troops and patients. Every donation that you pack touches so many people. Our sincere thanks from the Patient Library staff and the patients at Wilford Hall Medical Center. Hortencia L."

"Thanks for the books! I appreciate them!"

"To Whom It May Concern, Not only did I want to let you know that I received several packages of books, but I also wanted to thank you for what you do. I'm trying to start up a library for the soldiers in the barracks where I live and it was such a blessing to receive the books to help with that process! Your support means more than I can imagine. Do keep it up and God bless! SPC Gretchen G."

"Hi, my name is CPT Valerie R. and I wanted to thank you for your wonderful organization. I received 4 boxes with about 100 books in them for myself and the Soldiers that come thru the medical clinic here on Camp Arifjan Kuwait. It is great to know that there are groups in the US that support us and we appreciate everything that you do. You guys are great and we love you! I pray that you keep up the good work, and I wish there were more people in the world like you. Sincerely CPT Valerie R"

"Good afternoon, Just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you for the books. Thank you! Kim C. Hello from C.O.P. Shocker, Iraq Out on the edge!"

"We received the books from Buffa Buffington and our great friends from the Northside Branch Library in Atlanta, GA. Thank you. I've also dropped a note in the mail. Our Soldiers face so much combat stress each day. Escaping into a good book during a break or when off duty takes them to peaceful times and lands. We so appreciate your support, love, and prayers! Chaplain P. FOB Kalsu, Iraq"

"Sir/Ma'am, I am the manager of a small rec center in Afghanistan. I received a few boxes for one of my troops, not sure where it came from, but it had an Operation Paperback card in it. I just wanted to take a few minutes to let you know how much this means to me and all my troops here in Mehtar Lam. We all share all the care packages we get and pass the books back and forth a lot. Thanks so very much for all you do to support the deployed troops. TSgt Diane S. PRT Mehtar Lam"

"You have been sending my troops and I books for a couple of weeks now and I can't express enough thanks for your generousity. You can be assured that when I say thank you it's from all of us here at the squadron. Thank you for your time and effort in supporting us."

"Volunteers of Operation Paperback, I just want to thank you for the care package. Your support is greatly appreciated. Just knowing people like you are backing us makes it that much easier to survive and accomplish our mission. Please continue to support all us troops & pray for our soon, safe return home. God bless you, your family, & the USA! Sincerely, Nathan B. "

"Thank you so much for the books that I received while deployed. They were put to good use and enjoyed by many. Keep up the good work. We appreciate it. Thanks for all your support."

"Thank you so much for all the books that you have sent. It has made my deployment so much better. It is so comforting to know that there are so many people out there that care. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"I would like to thank everyone that has donated to the library here at JSS Ur in Sadr City, Iraq. Your donations have increased the size and variety of books here greatly. Thank you again. "

"I appreciate all the books I have been receiving from Operation Paperback so much. Thank you all! The books are great, I donate a lot of them to the library personnel going through where I work. I would really enjoy getting some Epic Fantasy books if possible so I can keep some of my own. Thank you again!"

"I just received a shipment of books from your organization. I appreciate it so much. Every title in the box is from my favorite authors and Irncan't wait to start reading them all!!! Its going to keep the last 3 months we have here very busy for me! I am also going to share the booksrnwith some of the girls in my living quarters. Thank you so much. We all appreciate the support you are giving us!!!"

"I received some redirected books from Mr. Vincent recently through Operation Paperback and wanted to send a short thank you. I am a chaplain deployed in Iraq. I have distributed the books sent from the boys of Pack 395. For future reference, most of my soldiers ask for joke and riddle books or short stories rather than novels or non-fiction just in case you have any influence over future support. Thanks again for supporting military servicemembers. I wish God's best for you and yours for a safe and happy holiday season."

"I'm a marine helicopter pilot currently serving in Djibouti, Africa, a small country in the Gulf of Aden just north of Somalia. I'm part of a small Marine detachment supporing operations in the theater. I wanted to write you and thank you for the books I recently received from Carole H. That is awesome that you have taken the time to remember us while we are out here. I've received other books from Operation Paperback and have started a small library in our flight ready room so all the marines out here can enjoy the books. Please pass my appreciation on to all of those that contributed to the package. I've attached my family Christmas card as well as a few pictures of the helicopter that I fly. Once again,thank you for your thoughtfulness and I hope ya'll have a Merry Christmas!!!"

"I wanted to thank your organization for your support. I have spent quite a few hours enjoying a good book provided by you. It's a great contribution, and great for morale. Actions such as yours are truly appreciated, and though you may think it's not a big deal, the effects are!"

"I have received three boxes of books this morning. Thank you very much for taking the time to think of us. I have added the shipment to our little library. The books will be enjoyed during our remaining time and by the incoming detachment next month. I appreciate your hard work and sacrifices to make our time out here more enjoyable."

"I wish to thank all of you who have sent me books for the wonderful support: DELORES G., ERICA S., TILLIE N., BOBBIE G.,and KATHY R. And I know there are several others also, but I didn't have their names on the paper. The guys and I appriciate the support. One of them always asks if it's alright to take more than 2. I tell him to take as many as he likes as I keep getting more. I would also like to especially thank those who placed used magazines in the boxes. At the time when I had signed up it did not occur to me to ask, but it is a plesent surprise to get a back copy of Men's Health or Maxim, or a Handyman or two, every now and then. I guess those are EASIER FOR SOME OF THE GUYS TO READ( HA HA). My company and I thank you for the overwhelming support that you all have shown us (since I have had to share with everyone, or I would feel guilty not sharing and have the books go to waste). HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS."

"I just wanted to take a few minutes and thank you for the packages with books and letters that you sent over here. I was so pleased to have something for the holiday season and I was able to send some of the things to soldiers who haven’t received anything from home. I just want to tell you that it is organizations such as yourself that keep us going during the holidays. You have no idea what an amazing feeling it is when you know people from back home are behind us. Keep up the wonderful work and I wanted to say again thank you for the Support! "

"I want to say thank you for the books you sent to me. We appreciate all that you do back there for us here."

"I am writing to confirm that I have received your paperback books. My soldiers and I really appreciate you guys sending them to us. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and wish you all the best in the New Year. If you would be able to send more to us we would greatly appreciate that as well. Thanks again and God bless."

"Thanks for the books from Operation Paperback. We appreciate your time and effort in supporting us. We have a crew of about 80 personnel and space is pretty tight. Escaping into a good book provides each of us very valuable down time."

"Happy New Year! I wanted to take a minute to thank you for the boxes of books that have been received! They are wonderful and everyone out here really appreciates your support and generosity! Thank you so much and have a great day! "

"I just wanted to write a quick note to let you know that the books you sent arrived safely and will definitely be used by everyone here. Thanks for your time."

"Hope this e-mail finds you well. I wanted to thank you for all the hard work you do. Your program is another big reminder each day that we are supported and thought about each day. It helps my soldiers and myself get through each day. I have received three shipments so far of books, and many soldiers have already dug into the books. Thank you once agian for everything you do."

"I wanted to let Diane know that yesterday we received 3 boxes filled with paperbacks! It felt like it was Christmas in the education center! Thank you very much :) "

" I just received in the last 2 days, 5 different shipments of books. Thank you so much for thinking of me. I will be sharing these books with the rest of my deployed airmen. I am sure they will appreciate your generosity as much as I do. Thanks again!"

"I received a box of books today from y’all. Thank you very much for your support. The books that are not taken by members of my unit will be donated to the MWR center so that other military members can have the opportunity to read them. Again, thank you very much for your support. "

"I just wanted to let Andrea know that I did receive a shipment of magazines and they were greatly appreciated by myself and the soldiers, especially the motorcycle, truck and car magazines. Thank you for all you do for us. It's nice to see Americans showing their support to let us know that what we do is not going unnoticed. That makes me feel really good inside. I have 2 children and both my husband and I are in the military. It is so hard to leave them. It's just nice to see the support from back home. Thanks again."

"I just wanted to let you know that I have received the books that you shipped. Thank you so much for taking time out of your very busy schedule to gather, package and send these! It truly raises morale to see that people back home care."

" I just wanted to write to let Al C. know that I received the books that he sent. I am currently in Iraq, and it is nice to have some books to read. I enjoy reading in my sparetime. In particular, I like the book that is on the history of the Cold War. I studied military history during my undergraduate study, and studied Security Studies in grad school, where I took several history classes. Also, I am currently reading the book, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Repair." Thank you very much for all that you do. I really appreciate it."

"Many thanks to Eleanor D. and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Oregon for the recent shipment of books! Most of the titles have already found homes with troops passing through on their way to Iraq and Afghanistan, and we’re deeply thankful for your support and tremendous generosity. Godspeed to you all for a most blessed 2009! We’re very thankful for 8-year-old Bridget’s prayers, too!"

"I just wanted to acknowledge that I received your package. I really appreciate the time and effort and cost you all have put into this wonderful package. The books will most definitely be read and used. I work at a patient staging facility and we are constantly getting patients for a short time. The books will help them pass the time as well as some will accompany them on their continued journeys. So for me, and for all our patients, Thank You! "

"I just received a package of books from Heidi W. What a great gift for our unit and all the troops who pass through our facility. We work customs at Joint Base Balad and have lots of passengers go through our facility. The books and magazines will be a great source of pleasure! God bless you all and your families! SK2 David H."

"Thank you for sending so many wonderful books. In the past week I have received a number of packages. I really appreciate all you do for those deployed!! Thank you!"

"Thank you all very much-- we have more than enough books to keep us busy for several months."

"Thank You to Dawn Breyer for the donation. I'm sure they will be appreciated by all who read them."

"Thank you for your generous contributions to our Warrior Transition Battalion in Fort Campbell, KY. The Soldiers will greatly benefit from the numerous books which we have received. We greatly appreciate the support. MAJ Ted Webb "

"I wanted to say thank you for the wonderful books - I picked up several James Patterson's Women's Murder Club series in the library in Kabul in Feb -where we're battling snow. Now it's June in Iraq and I've just finished the first couple and put them back into the system here in Balad. It's kind of like catch and release for books. Thanks for the continuing support as we escape the long hot summer desert heat and annoyances - by climbing into a good read. -- Angela (Iraq by way of Afghanistan)"

"Thank You Bob M. for the last shipment of books they are GREAT!"

"Thank you so much for the box! There were two books right off the back that I wanted to read. My Soldiers and I greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into supporting us. So once again, thank you so much. "

"I would like to send a thank you to everyone who has helped in this organization. Kathy Furlong, Selina Fansler, Kent and Gigi Bartlett, Karen Evanouskas, Larry Addeo, Jane Arnold, Janet Lubbert, Richard McKeen, S. Alley and High Bridge Books have all been key in the building of our unit's Professional Reading Library, thanks again!"

"Thank you to the Rotary Club & Friends of the Library of Gilmer county in MA."

"Just wanted to say Thank You for the shipment of books. They will be a wonderful start to our library I am sure they will soon be flying off of the shelves!"

"I have received a few packages and I would like to thank all of those who have taken time out of their day to put these packages together. Thank you "

"I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for all the wonderful things you guys are doing for us. I'm almost positive the books you guys sent got me through this deployment. There was nothing better than hitting my bunk with a good book after a long day and unwinding a bit. Thank you!"

"I would like to send a sincere thank you to the Wassel's, Furlong's, Mrs. Sydney Corbett, Mr. John McClanahan, Marcia Hanners and Chrissy Honeywell for all the support. The books sent will be a great mental break for the Marines during our upcoming deployment!"

"Thank you Sue H. I found a donated book from you, Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii, at the MWR Tent. Reading is one of the best ways to pass the time. Thank you again :)"

"I want to thank you all so much. I have received so many books from y'all, my husband teases me that I'm going to come back with a whole new library. I appreciate them so much. I spend the majority of what little downtime I have with my nose in a book. I wanted to send thank you's to each sender specifically, but I haven't gotten a chance yet. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Y'all are the greatest!!!!!!!"

"Thanks to all the volunteers that make this a very successful program, especially Kate M, David W. and Kaci A. All the books that I have received add to our growing library. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine and Civilian that looks at the library knows that escape is only a book away. Thanks for all you do."

"I want to send my sincere thank to all the wonderful people, that have send the books for us to read. Thanks also for taking the time to pray for us all and thank again for all the wonderful things you are doing for us and what you have done for us so far. "

"Just wanted to say thank you. A coworker is has been getting books from you that he then passes to me and then from me to others on the base before it ends up at the MWR. So I just wanted to say each book gets a lot of use and thanks again. "

"Dear Volunteers and Supportive Citizens of Operation Paperback, We wish to thank you for your wonderful contribution to our troops and their families who are stationed at our overseas location in Larissa, Greece. We appreciate the effort you give to provide us with the best quality of material you send us, the enthusiasm you show in immediately tending to the troops’ changing needs, the heartfelt notes you include in the shipments, and the interest you take in hearing feedback from us. Our little library is flourishing because of you! The books, the DVD’s, and the variety in children’s material is all wonderful and simply above and beyond our expectations! We especially love how flexible you are to our changing needs due to the limited space we have available. Please keep up the wonderful outreach program! A very special thanks is noted to Ms. Chrissy Honeywell who is such a wonderful Point of Contact and so very helpful! "

"I want to send a thank you out to Pat Retter in Dunstable MA and to "Friends fo the northside branch library" for the boxes of books sent to my unit...its is a great escape from the day to day grind!!! It is wonderful to have people back home supporting us. Thank you so very much!!!"

"Thank you for your efforts to help ease the stresses and strains of deployments thru reading. Our guys and gals appreciate all America does for them and are always so excited to receive a box from home. God Bless. Proud Army Mom - Paula President-Truckee Meadows NV #3 chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America"

"I'm about to redeploy and I wanted to turn off the wonderful support that we have received from your organization. When I get stateside, I plan to become a supporter - your efforts have touched many soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines here in my small base. "

"Thank you so much for your support! I'd like to let you know that we have received a box of paperbooks today. "

"This is Passenger Service in Spain. We have just received your package. We thank you very much in the name of all passengers coming through here. HAPPY HOLLYDAYS AND GOD BLESS! "

" I am writing to thank you for your generous donation of books you gave our library this year. Your donation helped to increase our collection and better serve the needs of our library patrons. Many troops pass through here on their way to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. It is a delight we are able to give them books donated by generous and supportive citizens like you. Thank you for your service to our young men and women in uniform."

"I am happy to say that the shipment of bibles arrived safely to the ship. We appreciate very much your support, thoughts and prayers. Thanks again."

"Today we have received two boxes filled with paperbacks! We are very excited! The books are already in the "library!" Thank you very much!"

"Thank you very much for the books. I think at this time, we have plenty of books. It seems that we have received books from a couple of sources and we currently have plenty of books on our shelves. Please pass the books on to another unit that is newly mobilized and has no stock. Thank you so very very much. "

"I was fortunate enough to receive books from your Operation Paperback program. I received boxes from a number of supporters, from Sue W. and the Women of Kappa Chapter, and the VFW 6859 out of Portland Maine, Elaine S. of the Republican Women of Arlington and Gene R. and Pat F. of the Peninsula Friends of the library. I wanted to let you know that I received the books and have given them to our local library here and that there are many soldiers who appreciate them. They will be put to very good use here and they are in a location where they are going to be utilized. Thank you very much for the thought, prayers and support you all have given all of us over here. It means a lot and I know everyone appreciates all that you have done for us. Thank you and have a good day."

"Thanks to Al C., USN RET. Your books got here and everyone here really appreciate them. "

"I wanted to thank you all for the support. It had made my deployment much more bearable. I am about to return back to the US, so I would like to have my address removed from the mailing list. The Post Office out here will not give any packages to anyone other than the name on the box. Thanks again for the support."

"Thank you for the books received from LaVonne W. of Lake Forest, MN. We appreciate them and they were immediately made available to the crew."

"Thank you for the books received from Gary C. my Dad!) of Tallahassee, FL. We appreciate them and they were immediately made available to the crew. "

"Thank you for the books received from Jane P. of Dunstable, MA. We appreciate them and they were immediately made available to the crew. "

"the soldiers here just wanted to say thank you for thinking of us! We appreciate all your hard work in making us feel loved while we are away from our families. I'm sure you will continue to put smiles on the faces of all the soldiers overseas. Thanks again for the books."

"Hello and a big THANK YOU to all the folks who sent us books! Our team really appreciates your thoughtfulness! I have a thank you note on the way to all the donors, but the mail may be slow due to the holidays, and I wanted to express our thanks. Again, we are grateful for you thinking of us!"

"I would like thank you for the books that you sent. To Weblos Pack 395, I thank you for all you have done. As a Eagle Scout I thank you guys for doing your part on keeping the morale of the troops here high. I will be going home soon after doing 15 months. It has been long, but worth it--as a American soldier and as an Eagle Scout The alues in scouting and as a soldier are the same. Always do your bestto uphold them."

"Several boxes of book donations have made their way to the patients here. We at the Patient Library would like to thank you immensely for your kindness and your consideration for the military personnel. The patients truly enjoy the books while they are recuperating. The donations came from as far as Ogden, UT, Hudson, FL, and Bernville, PA."

"I'd like to forward thanks from our deployed battalion for the books you sent forward. They have arrived in Iraq and are much appreciated by the soldiers in the unit. Thanks for your generosity and consideration. Your efforts are having a noticeable impact on the morale and welfare of our soldiers."

"Please let Gary C. from Tallahassee know that we got his books and they went fast. Merry Christmas."

"Just wanted to let Selina know that we received her box of books on DEC 19, 2008. The support of Operation Paperback is appreciated by all the soldiers serving here in Iraq. It is a definite morale booster and a pasttime from the onerous missions some of us have. Again, thank you for your support!! "

"Thank you for the great delivery of books. Your organization has provided a valuable service to the members of the armed forces here at Kandahar, Afghanistan."

"Thank you for sending me so many good books to read. I have received four shipments already and have picked out about twenty books for myself and donated the rest to our MWR so other soldiers can enjoy them as well. Thank you for your support."

"Thank you to LTX-Credence Corporation in Norwood, MA for the box of books sent to me. There were a wide variety that I have not read & I passed along many throughout my workplace. Finally, I used the extras to help stock Jack's Place, which is a place that many transient Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Seamen use as a refuge while they travel to and from the AOR. We all appreciate your support and the effort to collect books for all of us in the AOR! Your books will travel far and wide and provide a much needed diversion in stressful locations. Thanks again!"

"Thank you very much for all of the books and well wishes that I have received over the last couple of months. Me and my fellow Soldiers have started a little library for new Soldiers coming in. Also it helps for Soldiers who read more then others, because all they have to do is go there and get a few books instead of waiting for the next package. Thank you all again for all of your hard work. "

"I have received so many packages from Operation Paperback since I deployed to Iraq in March of this year. I've been very terrible about writing to say how much I appreciate it. I've placed so many books in my unit's library and have a little library in my room as well that soldiers come to take books from. It's really been so wonderful. There is a room here at the Morale Welfare and Recreation Center where soldiers can borrow books or sit and read in quite. I currently have three boxes of books under my desk that I need to bring over there. I really cannot express how much these books have helped me through this deployment. My husband is also serving over here and it has made times very hard as we are not in the same place but when I go home at night and I can read a book it helps me forget where I am and go to sleep with happy thoughts of home. Honestly, I cannot explain to you all what your support means to me and how greatful I am for everything that you all have done. I appreciate all the time and effort you have put into the packages that I receive, and that my husband receives. "

"Thank you for supporting me during my deployment.You can end any further shipments to me here. Again, please send my thanks to all who sent me packages."

"Thank you for supporting me during my deployment.You can end any further shipments to me here. Again, please send my thanks to all who sent me packages."

"Thanks to Mima G.and friends of the Book Cellar Webster Library, a branch of the NYPL and Barbara B. from Salisbury MD."

"I just wanted to let you know that I have received the books that have been sent out to me. Thank you for all you are doing for us out here in Kuwait."

"My time in Iraq is up so I will no longer be in need of any books. I do want to thank everyone for their support. Please take me off your mailing list. That way someone else can receive the same support that I received."

"Recently I received three boxes of paperbacks from David W. in MD. I wanted to express my appreciation for his tremendous generosity. Each book will find an appreciative home with a soldier either initially deploying or redeploying. Many thanks for this very kind gesture and good will!"

"Susan & Ziggy, I received Susan's & Ziggy's books yesterday and wanted to say thank you for taking the time to send them my way. I'm with the 10th Mountain Division and have been in Iraq for the last year. I hope all is well with the both of you back in the states. Just noticed that you are from Rush...I graduated from RIT in 2004. Have a great day!"

"Believe it or not, John, I just received your box of books. I'd like to thank you and your family for the donation. We have a MWR room for our soldiers to relax, read, play games, watch TV/movies and play on the PS2. The books are keeping my guys entertained. We have just reached our half way mark of our tour. It has been a long and busy summer. We are looking forward to winter as things get much quieter during the winter months. A little about myself. I have been in the Army for 19 years and if all goes well I will retire this June. I am 37 and married with four kids. I'm from Sandusky, Ohio. This is my 5th deployment. I served in the Gulf War, Bosnia, two tours in Iraq and a tour here in Afghanistan. Again, thanks for the books. Not sure why it took a while to receive them. The mail system is very good here. Take care and I appreciate the time you took to think about us soldiers. Folks like you are heroes in my eyes. I hope to hear from you. Take care John."

"Just wanted to let you we have received many, many shipments of books from your organization. You guys are awesome. I think we are at our saturation point for now. Maybe in a couple of months we will be in need again. Your help has been tremendous and I want to thank you for all you have done. You took great care of us last year and have given us the same tremendous support again this deployment."

"I received the books from Kathy R. I just wanted to thank everyone who thought of us over here and to thank everyone for all that they sent to us while we have been away for these long days and weeks of this deployment. I just wanted to let everyone know that, thankfully, we have gotten our marching orders to finally come home. Again, thank you for everything that you have done for us over here."

"Thank you for all the support you have given my unit and me. Everyone always looks forward to seeing what new books are available, and reading new material. Many of the senders have chosen great books that provide hours of entertainment. I have gotten several boxes over the last month, but have not had a chance to thank you. The thanks I owe are starting to pile up, and I'm afraid I will forget a couple senders. However, please tell everyone that the books are fantastic. Kathy R., Al C. and Del and Linda J., THANK YOU! "

"I just received the box of books that Ms. K. sent to us. Thank you very much for your support and generosity. We thank you for the time and effort that you took to get these books to us. I have placed the books in the unit library and they will be put to good use. Thanks again."

"I would like to thank you for all the support Operation Paperback has given me and my unit. We appreciate all the books the volunteers have sent! We've tried writing them all thank you letters, but if we missed anyone, please let them know we received the books and enjoy every one of them. My unit will be leaving theatre soon, so I am requesting to be taken off the list. The books will remain here in Iraq for the next unit to enjoy. Again, on behalf of our company, thank you very much. "

"I wanted to thank you for the very generous gift of 4 books, 3 CDs, and one DVD that I recently received. These titles are extremely useful for the collection I’m putting together to share with the huge number of troops passing through my installation every day. On behalf of the Army LSA here, many thanks for your generosity, kindness, and good will toward your deployed brothers and sisters! "

"Thank you so much for the books that you volunteers have sent me over the past couple of months. I have received far more books than I could ever read in the year time that I am here. I have shared many of the books with my colleagues and taken many books to the MWR room. Please send any shipments that were intended for me to another soldier that is in need of books. Again, thank you for all that you have done for me and the soldiers around me."

"Thank you very much for all the books you have sent to me for my soldiers! We are very truly appreciative. We've actually run out of space here at company and have started donating to the post library. In light of this, I thank you for sending everything, but please don't send anything else. Personally, I'd love to get and read them all, but there is just nowhere else to put books. I got back from leave and had many boxes waiting on me and wanted to thank everyone who thought of us. Please convey our deep appreciation to Judy D., Sue Story and Friends, the Friends of the Bartram Trail Barbara B. on behalf of Temple Bat Yam, Lois Long, Jane W. on behalf of Friends of the Library bookstore in Sarasota, Karen M. on behalf of Friends of > the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County, Ted and Phyllis T., and the Association for the Help of Retarded Children Adult Day Habilitation Program. Your generosity has touched my heart. "

"Thank-you for the books. My squadron will enjoy reading them. Take care and have a fine Navy day."

"Thank you for the books I handed some out last night. My squadron will enjoy reading them out here. "

" I am sending a reply to let you know that I received my first shipment of books today! I received a wonderful selection and variety of books. Both my friends and myself will enjoy all of them! Thank you again for what you do! Little things like this make our time go a little faster!"

"Thanks, Gil, for the books and other items. We received 6 boxes that you packed on Nov 13. The books have already been shelved and some have disappeared that quick. We appreciate your support."

"I received my second box today from Wendy and the other voluneers of Operation Paperback and wanted to send a quick thank you. A little about me, I'm a navy corpsman with a marine infantry unit. I recently reinjured my shoulder and have been stuck on radiowatch for the past month, which gives me plently of down time to read. Again, thank you all very much for your support."

"We would like to take the time to end our deepest gratitude to you for the books that have supported our library. Morale is one of the key things to make a deployment successful and books have been a key to that, so you have done us a great service. The temperature is slowly beginning to cool down and as we go into the winter months who knows what will go on but as we continue with our mission of winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people we simply ask for your continued support and prayers and we trudge along the next 6 months. Thank you and God Bless. "

"Thank you, so very much, for the books you donated to us through Operation Paperback. We received your order today and as soon as I opened the box my soldier's were tearing into it. We really do appreciate all of your support."

"I’m just dropping you a quick line to let you know I received the shipment of books. I want to thank you and your organization for the support. This is my third deployment and I will be leaving here in a few months. Take care and once again, thank you."

"Once again I have received a book. Thank you for your continuous efforts. Many of the books that I have received are great and I have greatly enjoyed reading them. Thank you for your time and consideration. "

"Although many people tell the soldiers thank you, it is the support, encouragement, care and love from millions of Americans back home that means so very much when we are away from our loved ones. Thank you all at Operation Paperback for everything you do to support the troops! I very much appreciated all the books I received and will think of your generosity and prayers every night before I read and go to sleep. Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers that keep us safe and happy every day! We have definitely not forgotten about you and it is clear from all of the support you give us that we are also not forgotten. I have plenty of reading materials you have sent me to last the rest of my deployment. Please send future books to other soldiers who would like reading materials.Thank you for your support."

"Ken and Carole G. sent us some really nice paperbacks. Thanks."

"I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond to John T. I have received the books. I have really enjoyed reading them and cannot wait to dive into a new one. I really appreciate your support for the troops, too. It is amazing how the little things make so many things different during a deployment. This is my first deployment and all of your support has brightened many of my days. I wanted you to know how much it helps. Again thank you so much for everything that you do for us, you are an amazing person!! "

"I want to thank you for your generosity and your pursuit to help soldiers. My fellow soldiers and I are very thankful for all the packages we have received. I believe you are doing an excellent job and I commend you on it. Some of my fellow soldiers and I have signed up for your program and we have been receiving your packages. I have been receiving so many that it is becoming overwhelming. I really appreciate your help but I would appreciate it if I was taken off you mailing list. I have already received so many books that I think that other soldiers should be given the chance to receive the books that I am not going to be able to read. I really appreciate your generosity and I am very grateful for your time. "

"I have received the shipment of books from John T. I really appreciate your efforts to support the troops. I was not much of a reader before this deployment and have started to really enjoy reading. It offers me a way to relax and allows my mind to escape the daily grind. Others in my unit also enjoy them, as they pick from what was sent and read what interest them. Of course, I get first pick. I also hope that our uptempo slows and that your son is not called for another deployment, but I fear it will be a while before that happens. I hope to be home around the 1st quarter 2009 and will at least have 12 months until my next deployment in 2010. I thank you for your service, because the families of those deployed also pay a price, as you know. "

"Thanks to Janine from Arlington, Virginia for the books she sent us. They are already gone. "

"I just received a package of books today from Gary C. In the letter he sent, he stated that these books came from the Tallahassee area and northern Florida. I actually graduated from FSU and currently reside in north Florida (when I am not activated with the Army and have to go overseas), where I grew up in the Panhandle. So it was nice to receive something "from home". As always, when boxes of books come in, everyone is very excited. After I pick thru them and grab what I haven't read yet, I always have several friends standing by to trade books. So keep sending them over here. We do appreciate the support you give us, and when we read, it takes us away for a little bit and lets us live somewhere else for a wee bit."

"Wanted to let you know I have received the paperbacks you sent and that they are very appreciated. Thank you very much for your generous support."

"I just wanted to say think you very much for the care package that you sent to us. We received it yesterday and it really put a smile on everyone's faces. You would be truly surprised, I think, how it becomes the little things that you end up missing the most in places like this. Your effort went a long way to making a lot of people here feel good. Thank you! I also want to say that the efforts of people like you are every bit as important as anything we are doing over here. We volunteered to serve and knew what we were getting into when we signed up. We get paid to do this. But your efforts were done just out of the goodness of your heart and mean a lot. Thank you very, very much for this. It is nice to be reminded that people back home really do appreciate what we are doing here. About us... Well, we are a group of 18 folks from a couple of different bases brought together here: Washington State, Minnesota, Georgia, England and a couple of us (like me) are here from Las Vegas. We do logistics and transportation support in Iraq. Everything coming here comes by aircraft or truck convoy and our job is to take it once it gets here and figure out how to get it to where it is supposed to go, whether it be here on the base, or throughout the country. Thank you again for what you've done here. It has brightened our day."

"Thank you so much, Marilynnm for the books. I will send off a longer letter once this week ends and things settle down a bit for both me and the base. Have a good weekend. "

"Just sending an email to let you know I received the box of magazines sent by Donna N. on the 13th Sept. Please share my unit’s appreciation for sending the magazines. I have a mass of soldiers going through and grabbing up the ones they want as I am typing this email. Thank you very much for your support. We appreciate you and your organization. "

"Thanks for the books sent to us which the Patriots Colony provided from Williamsburg, VA. I sent Mr. John H. a thank you card. We appreciate you! "

"I meant to email earlier this week. I wanted to let you know that we received a box from Gary C. on Monday with Reader's Digest condensed books, magazines and CDs. Thank you, Operation Paperback, and Gary."

"Thanks for the books, Genny. Everyone is enjoying them. We will all be home in about 80 days. Thank you for helping us pass time. "

"I just received a box from a Mr. John H. from Williamsburg, VA. I've already placed the books on the shelves in our Battery's rec room, and I'm sure that the readers at our outpost will enjoy them. John did not include an e-mail address, but if you have one for him would you please send him my thanks?"

"Thank you for the latest shipment of books. I just received several boxes from: Tillie N. from Royal Oak, MI; Dixie A. from Long Beach, CA; and Jim F. from Portland, ME. Please send my thanks for their generosity and kindness. Their thoughtfulness and books help us in our time away from our friends and family."

"Thank you for the books I am sure this will help pass the time for me. I appreciate all the support."

"We received the box of books. They are great, just what the troops are looking for, for a few minutes of down time. Thanks again for the thoughts "

"The shipment from Kathy and Operation Paperback arrived today and I wanted to thank you and your organization for everything that you do in support of America's Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines. Thank You! "

"We received the books they were great and I took several to the DFAC for distribution to the other troop sections. "

"Over 20 boxes of book and audio book donations have arrived at the Patient Library. Donations from as far away as Queensbury, NY; Hampton Bays, NY; Keedysville, MD; Milton, MA; Royal Oak, MI; Lubbock, TX; Tallahassee, FL; Madison, NJ; Red Lion, PA; Perry, GA; Lorain, OH, and Hudson, FL were received in the last 3 months. Thank you, folks, for the support you offer with these kind donations. They provide an excellent diversion from the pain and suffering the patients face on a daily basis."

"I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful support during my tour in Iraq. I will be leaving in the next month and no longer need any rnbooks but I will pass along the information to my replacements. Have a wonderful day!"

"Thank you very much for the books sent and all you do. The books will be put on shelves around our hospital for soldiers to pick up. "

"The last deployment Operation Paperback brought me escape from my work and gave me the chance to relax for a few minutes. This time is no different. Thank you to everyone who supports the American Service Members serving in OIF, OEF and all other parts of the world."

"Thank you so much for sending the books. I shared the books with everyone in our office and everyone in our building. Believe me when I say you have made several soldiers happy today. It's so nice to know that people back home care about us. Thanks again!"

"Thank you for everything you do. We all are lucky to have people like you. "

"Thanks for the books! It is such a great feeling to know that people support us back in the states."

"THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BOOKS YOU HAVE BEEN SENDING. IT REALLY HAS HELPED MY PLATOON A LOT TO KEEP THEIR MIND OFF OF BEING HERE AND AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES. IT REALLY WARMS OUR HEART TO KNOW THAT YOU CARE. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO."

"I just received the box of books in the mail, thank you! We truly appreciate all that everyone is doing back home to support us. You've brought smiles to soldiers' faces today. Thank you for the support!"

"Just a short note to thank you all again for the books. We really do appreciate it here. I hope you have a wonderful day."

"I'm writing from Africa to thank Sue H. for the care package. That is so awesome that you guys remember us while we're over here. I can't thank you enough for the books. I am a Marine helicopter pilot and fly CH-53E Super Stallions. We've been out here for almost a month and will be here for about seven until we come rnhome. This is my third deployment in the last three years. I will be sure tornshare the books with my fellow Marines. I'm sure they will be a nice way to relax and get away from things. You mentioned your son is a Marine. Where's he going to deploy to? Thank you so much again."

"This email is to thank Denise D. from Verona, NJ. Your package is greatly appreciated. We will certainly enjoy it. Thank You! "

"Thank you for sending me these books on behalf of my Soldiers. There are some really great titles and authors included. I got the books from Chrissy Honeywell. Thank you so much! "

"I just returned from my R&R and was very happy to find a package of books from PSM Library in Castle Rock, CO. I sincerely appreciate their kind gesture. My former Company has built a new MWR section, and they were able to acquire some book shelves as well in order to display and share any reading materials that they receive. I was happy to add to their collection with the PSM books. Thank you again for your support. "

"I am pleased to announce that your boxes of books have been received. We embarked yesterday for the beginning of our scheduled seven-month deployment. Imagine my surprise when I found the books waiting for me. Within 45 minutes of putting the books out, and establishing our new library, there were Marines and Sailors already screening the books for something to interest them. I myself found a book of interest and look forward to some quiet time to read it. Please pass along to all of your supporters and volunteers the gratitude and appreciation from us."

"Sorry for not writing back sooner, but I work every day over here for long hours. Your package to me came safe and secure last month. I can't thank you enough for the books that you sent me. They kept me preoccupied on the down-time that I had, and helped me "get away" from the work-related environment that is non-stop over here. It was really inspiring to see how people back home are still thinking about our welfare. It's refereshing to read some non-fiction publication for a change (as opposed to the old fiction novels we've already got around here). Also know that I'll pass these books on to others, who I'm sure will be interested in the content. Just understand that you did more than your share in helping a soldier stay closer to home (and keep his sanity!). Jane, I look forward to receiving the next shipment of non-fiction books If you know anyone with National Geographic, those are welcome too! Best wishes to you and your family. I hope to hear from you soon!"

"Received a box of books from Sally G. of Atlanta GA today. Please thank her for me "

"Thank you all for the books they are great, we received them on 31 August 08, and everyone in the headquarters building are coming to find something to read. "

"I just returned to Iraq from the MS Gulf Coast. I had 18 days of R & R. It was great to get away. The heat index over here was 150 the other day. It is a furnace. We received the books from the Ogletree Deakins law firm. I’ll send them a letter of thanks. Appreciate ALL you have done and continue to do for our troops!"

"We have received our first shipments of books. Thank you so much!! Once our library is finished I'll send you some pictures."

"Thanks so much for the books and the thoughts of us serving overseas. I will be placing the books in a place where all the service members of the base I am stationed at will have access to them 24 hours a day. It is a little place they set aside for kind gestures as this one, where members can share the kindness from those who spoil them from back home. Thanks so much and greatly appreciated."

"Thanks team for the recent books sent from the Friends of Amherst Library, Amherst, OH. We are truly appreciative of all you do! Thanks again! I’ll send a personal note to the library. Peace."

"This morning I received a box from Allan M.e in support of Operation Paperback. I promptly presented it to our Marines. We appreciate the items that were sent. I thought that only books would be sent. However, I was pleasantly surprised to fine numerous toiletry articles included. Many of our Marines do not have the opportunity to purchase these items. There is a small exchange here, but most essential things are not there. Even the smallest items that many people would find insignificant are appreciated. Thanks again "

"I have received several shipments already. Thank you so much!! The one I received today was from Selina."

"I came across your note which accompanied a box of books no doubt, and I wanted to let you know that we received it. We have added the books to our mini-"library". Soldiers will enjoy these books, and we thank you very much. Just as an fyi - I have found that soldiers' favorites are: science fiction/fantasy, classics - like "The Old Man and the Sea," "Grapes of Wrath," etc., biographies/historical subjects,suspense/horror - like Steven King, Anne Rice. The units in this location are mostly male and do not read the romance novel genre (at least not that they will admit to! Ha Ha."

"I've received more packages from your kind volunteers, the most recentfrom Ken and Carole G. Thanks so much! "

"Please let Mr. Richard B. know that I received the books. Thank you. "

"I am the Platoon Sergeant of a group of Marines that are voracious readers. The box I received today was greatly appreciated and will be disseminated throughout our platoon. Thank you for your continued support and respect. We are on the tail end of our deployment and hopefully will be home before Thanksgiving, so wish us luck. I have deployed several times in the last few years, and have always enjoyed receiving Operation Paperback boxes in the mail. Mail call is a morale booster to any unit overseas, and sometimes when young men and women do not get mail, the guy with the box of books is always there to let them root through his box."

"I recently received the package of books in the package signed by Leslie S. from the members of a temple in Maryland. Thank you so much for your generosity. I have shared the box with my fellow warriors here, who asked me to relay their appreciation as well."

"I received your shipment of books yesterday. Thank you for your support. They will be placed in our chapel's library for all to enjoy. Thanks again."

"Today I received my second shipment (eight boxes) from Operation Paperback. I want to personally thank all of you for your tremendous support of the brave men and women of the armed services. Please pass to your organizations and all who help to support this wonderful cause our heartfelt appreciation. Our men and women now have a variety of books to choose from that rivals our library. Know that your donations will be read the next seven months during our deployment. Upon completion of our deployment, I will turn any and all library for continued use by other men and women."

"I received books in the mail today. Thanks again for supporting our mission here. We still have a long way to go."

"Today we had the pleasure of receiving the shipment of books that you sent us and I wanted to thank you for your generosity. There was quite a variety of titles! Thanks again! We appreciate your support, both morally and with the books. "

"Thank you very much for the books! I'm also from New York so it made me smile when I saw New York in the return address. My time here is almost up and I should be back in the states very soon so I will not be needing any more books. "

"I would, on behalf of myself and "the lost boys" like to thank you for your gifts of books. We are not on a fob (forward operations base) - we're on a cop, where living conditions and creature comforts fall under the category of austere at best and downright nasty at worst and don't have access to nor do we want the creature comforts of our bretheren who live on fobs throughout the country. But we sure do appraciate when good hearted people such as yourselves take the time, make the effort and extend to us the goodwill and generosity that helps so much to make the job we do here meaningful and a bit more bearable. Besides that, it helps the youngsters here discover the wonderful world of good book reading and gets them out of their ipods, psps and xboxes. I'm the medic of the team and we do tremendous things with just a small amount of support. As a civil affairs tactical a team our job involves not only raids, snatches and interdiction of enemy movement; a lot of what we do is the management of infrastructure rebuilding projects such as repair/rebuilding canal pump stations, electrical transfer points, medical clinics, schools and village administration centers, and pay and support of the sons of iraq security program, where local populations are invested with the security and stability of their own areas. We do good things with the us taxpayers' money and now are seeing much more iraqi oil dollars being diverted into our efforts and less of our us dollars being thrown down a hole with little return . Contrary to what the media portrays, now we are winning a peace and the war is all but over, save for a very small group (unfortunately in our northern province) of hired help from Iran and Syria whose agenda still is dedicated toward a destabilized neighbor, rather than a peaceful stabilized, ecomomically strong partner nation. In a nutshell, the winds of change have given the population here hope and a vision of a future that just a year ago was not possible. Again, thank you for your support. "

"The huge workload here has kept me very, very busy, but I have finally caught a break and I wanted to take this available moment to thank you so much for everything you have organized, funded, thought of and sent here. Nothing short of amazing. So many Soldiers have benefitted and appreciated everything you have sent. I wanted to do more than say thanks. I intend to start sending some updates on what's going on here and plan to include you on the emails, but only if you are interested and it's not a bother to you. I hope you are having a GREAT day. Thank you SOOO much! "

"I wanted to write you and let you know that i received the books and that they will be put to great use by my soldiers and myself. I would also like to thank you for everything you do for us while we are deployed. "

"Hello, this is Casey. I'm writing from Africa to thank you for the care package I just received. That is so awesome! I really appreicate that you took the time and effort to think of us out here and send the package. I'm a Marine helicopter pilot. We got out here about a month ago and will be here for around seven months. This is my third deployment within the last three years. I am married and have two little boys back home, so as you canrnimagine, it's stressful and hard at times. It really helps to hear from people back home. I really can't thank you enough for the package. The books will offer a great way to get away from the stresses. I will be sure to share will all of the other Marines that are out here with me. Take care and I'll stay in touch. Thanks again."

"This email is to let you know that the books you sent have arrived in Afghanistan. We will surely put these books to good use and they will help us pass time. Thank you for supporting the troops! "

"Thanks again for all the books and magazines."

"Just a quick note to let you know I received the very generous package of books from your organization. It was a very kind and charitablernthing for you and OPB to do. The troops and folks over here are concentrating on the war effort. It is good to receive packages and have books to take our minds off the war for a while. Since you were so giving, I shared many of these books with the troops I work with here. They have enjoyed the fruits of your labor as well as I."

"Just a note to let you know we received a box of game and puzzle books from Louisa F. today. As always, thank you!!!"

"I just got a great package of books sent by your rep at US Army War College. Some of my favorite authors were sent. I especially liked the three Barbara Tuchman books. Two I have already read more than once, but look forward to her work again. I am a Senior Mentor for an Afghan Training Brigade. The library here is overstocked with fiction. It could really use more history and classics. Any thing you send will be added to the Camp library and in the hands of hundreds of Soldiers. I also share these books with our interpreters who are trying to improve their English. Back home my wife and I work with a volunteer library in our town. That is a very good sources of books for your project. Thanks again to your organization. "

"Thank you so much for all the books, they really helped in getting through this deployment. I have reached the end of this deployment please stop sending books for I will no longer be at this address. Thanks again for all the support."

"Thank you very much for the books you have sent, reading here is a great way for all of us to unwind and escape for a little while. We all appreciate everything you do for the troops deployed, I am happy to say the Library at Camp Clark is growing thanks to all your support."

"I just received another shipment of books. Thank you to Ms. Nelson and the members of the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, Michigan! I’ll make sure that these books get maximum distribution. Thank you again, your generosity is humbling."

"Thank you so much. These will help pass the evenings."

"I just received another box. I cant tell you how excited I was to see it. I already have people asking me for the books I just received. Thank you for your time and consideration."

"Thank you to Operation Paperback and to Colonel David W. of Maryland. I received the package of books that you sent and have placed them in the unit’s library. Numerous Marines, sailors, and civilians come through to look for books each day. We also have a passenger terminal that we have placed books in so that people traveling through our airfield have something to read while awaiting transportation. Sir, thank you for serving our country and continuing to support the troops. We appreciate everything that you are doing to help increase our morale while deployed away from our homes and loved ones."

"Thank you Operation Paperback and thank you Ms. Mary Kay B. from Taylor Ridge, IL! I recently received 3 packages of books from her and want to thank her for her support. We spend a lot of time at work but can still find the time to read. Your contributions are a great source of moral and help us keep our minds off of what we are missing at home. We appreciate everything that you all are doing for us. Thank you once again. "

"Thank you Operation Paperback and thank you to Ms. Helen K. of Pinehurst, NC. I recently received 2 packages of books from her and want to express my thanks and the thanks of the personnel within my squadron. We are putting them to good use and I am making sure that they don’t sit around and collect dust. By placing some of the books in our passenger terminal, we can spread the books all over the Middle East. Every 2 weeks, we need to restock the shelves due to the high volume of passenger traffic, so your books are a great source of morale to the troops. Thank you again for your support. "

"Thank you so much for the books that you have been sending. I have been enjoying the books as well as my soldiers. Thanks again for the service that you provide. It is greatly appreciated."

"I was fortunate enough to receive books from your Operation Paperback program. I received boxes from a number of supports from Sue Whelan and the Women of Kappa Chapter, and the VFW 6859 out of Portland Maine, Elaine Strain of the Republican Women of Arlington and Gene Roeder and Pat Foltz of the Peninsula Friends of the library. I wanted to let you know that I received the books and have given them to our local library here at Manas AB and that there are many soldiers who appreciate them. They will be put to very good use here and they are in a location where they are going to be utilized. Thank you very much for the thought, prays and support you all have given all of us over here. It means a lot and I know everyone appreciates all that you have done for us. Thank you and have a good day. Take care."

"I wish to thank all of you who have sent me books for the wonderful support: Delores Gane, Erica Stewart, Tillie Nelson, Bobbie Gooch, Kathy Ruopp. And I know there are several others also, but I didn't have their names on the paper. The guys and I appreciate the support. One of them always asks if it's alright to take more than 2. I tell him take as many as he likes - I keep getting more. I would also like to especially thank those who placed used magazines in the boxes. At the time when I had signed up it did not occur to me to ask, but it is a pleasent surprise to get a back copy of Men's Health or Maxim, or a Handyman or two, every now and then. My company and I thank you for the overwhelming support that you all have shown us."

"Just a quick note to let you know I received the very generous package of books from your organization. It was a very kind and charitable thing for you and OPB to do. The troops and folks over here are concentrating on the war effort. It is good to receive packages and have books to take our minds off the war for a while. Since you were so giving, I shared many of these books with the troops I work with here. They have enjoyed the fruits of your labor as well as I. Thanks again and keep up the good work--your troops appreciate it!!"

"This email is to let you know that the books you sent have arrived in Afghanistan. We will surely put these books to good use and they will help us pass time. Thank you for supporting the troops! "

"Good morning and Happy New Year! I wanted to take a minute to thank you for the boxes of books that have been received! They are wonderful and everyone out here really appreciates your support and generosity! Thank you so much and have a great day!"

"Thank you for all of the wonderful books. My buddies and I love to sit down and relax with a book. It takes our minds to a place that claims our hearts. "

"I am writing to confirm that I have received your paperback books. My Soldiers and I really appreciate you guys sending them to us. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and wish you all the best in the New Year. If you would be able to send more to us we would greaty appreciate that as well. Thanks again and God bless."

"Thank you so much for all the books. They have helped many of us get through a long and tiring deployment. I will be leaving soon and appreciate all of you giving your support."

"I would like to thank everyone who sent my unit books. We are all truly grateful. When we are done with the books they go straight to the MWR so that the next groups coming in can enjoy the books also. Thanks Again."

"thank you guys for our paperbacks....Without you we could be very bored"

"Thank you so much for the wonderful support. I apologize for my fellow service members not always writing thank you notes, but in their defense, we stay pretty busy. All ways know that your wonderful efforts reach many soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines deployed so far away from home. Thanks again! Al T. Baghdad Iraq "

"Thank you for the wide selection of books you sent! We recently moved to a new camp where there were only a few books available in the MWR library. Shortly after we arrived, I received three boxes of books from Operation Paperback. Now, thanks to you, my unit and the transient population we serve have lots of reading material to choose from."

"I would like to thank eveyone that has suuported me in the past 15 months by sending me books. I truly appreciate what you did and I'm so very grateful. My time is up and I'll be going home soon. I will start donating to the Troops downrange and give back what was given to me. Thank you Wibke"

"Dear Supportive Citizens, On behalf of the 715th we would like to thank you for your generous and heartfelt gifts of books. Your gift of wisdom and imagination is a natural reflection of the good support we have back home. When times get rough and activities are limited we can always go wherever our imagination takes us with a book You are tremendous individuals and a credit to humanity. Thank you ever so much. "

"In the last week and half, I have received packages from Lubbock, Texas chapter, Atlanta, Georgia chapter, and Midlothian, Virginia chapter. On behalf of my Marines, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the wonderful books you all have sent. Your generosity and support are top notch! Your donations will allow many Marines, Sailors, and civilians alike to take great pleasure from the world of reading. Thank you again!"

"I want to thank you for your shipment of books that we received. I looked through the books and was pleased to find one of my favorite Stephen King books The eyes of the Dragon, (one of my favorite books besides To kill a Mockingbird). I want to thank you for the time spent in the whole process of getting the package together and sending it out, I know it takes time. I want to also thank the citizens back home that have donated the books. We would gladly welcome any more shipment of books to add to our small library."

"Thank you for all the books I have received. My unit and I appreciate everything so much. It really helps the time go by. Thank you again for everything. It is awesome to have and see so much support from everyone back home!"

"I just wanted to drop you guys a line and say thank you so much for the shipment of books that we received today. I will put the books out for the command to use today. We greatly appreciate all the support that your group continues to give the forward deployed military members. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

"I have received several boxes of books while deployed here. I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have helped me and my battle buddies pass many a lonely night with your contributions. The escape into a book really helps relieve stress and makes our time here much more bearable. Thank you so much to all those who sent us their love and support in the form of books and letters of encouragement. You are all the reason we do what we do. Thank you so very much. "

"Thanks for everything you have done. Having the reading material has helped me pass the last year over here much faster than it would have normally. Just for your information I have read 253 Operation Paperback books since coming here in mid october of last year. Thats just me personally and I am still going. I love to read and you have helped me fill my heart and my mind with some of the greatest books I have ever read. I know they come from the heart. "

"I have received so many books and I just want to thank you so much for your support. We have started a small library here. Thank you again!"

"I am getting ready to wrap up a deployment in Iraq. I have received Many shipments of books from way too many people to name. My unit and I have had many many hours of great time reading the material you have sent over to us. I want to thank you for your support to us over here. I do not know what it would have been like without the books to read in the down time. It has made the last year go much faster. Thanks again for everything you have done and are still doing to support me and my brothers and sisters in the Army. "

"Thank you all very much. I have received numerous books and they are greatly appreciated. I share them with everyone and especially when there's candies and other treats with them. Sometimes when you're out here a good book will relieve stress and take your mind away from here. Thank you very much again and I love you all god bless !!!"

"I am pleased to announce that your boxes of books have been received. I embarked on board the USS Iwo Jima yesterday for the beginning of our scheduled seven-month deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Imagine my surprise when I found the books waiting for me. Within 45 minutes of putting the books out, and establishing our new library, there were Marines already screening the books for something to interest them. I myself found a book of interest and look forward to some quiet time to read it. Please pass along to all of your supporters and volunteers the gratitude and appreciation from the Marines and Sailors of HMM-264."

"Thank you all for the books they are great, we received them on 31 August 08, and everyone in the headquarters building are coming to find something to read."

"Thanks so much for the books and the thoughts of us serving overseas. I will be placing the books in a place where all the service members of the base I am stationed at will have access to them 24 hours a day. It is a little place they set aside for kind gestures as this one, where members can share the kindness from those who spoil them from back home. Thanks so much and greatly appreciated."

"Hello, I want to thank you for all the support you have shown us! I would like to be removed from the Operation Paperback shipment list. We had got so many books that we have no more room for any more. Thank you again."

"I just wanted to say thank you to all of those of you that have taken the time to find, sort and ship books out here to me. I read them and them place them on a community book shelf for others to read. I am so glad that there are organizations out there like yours that support us and are willing to see that we get a little piece of home. There is limited things to do out here when we are not working so books are in high demand. Thank you again from this avid reader, please keep up the good work because its not going un-noticed here in Iraq."

"Just a short note to thank you all again for the books. We really do appreciate it here."

"I've read two books and returned both of them to the "library" for someone else to read. If you donate to this program, you may think you are only helping one military member, but you may help a bunch of us."

"Thank you all for helping me out and getting me great books for me and my brigade. You all really helped us out a lot. By helping out the soldiers. By giving them something to keep their minds out of the hardships of war. You are all great! Well thank you all for the support and help of this brigade and Company. We should be set for along time."

"I would like to thank everyone who takes their time to send the troops books, it helps to have a little bit of home. I got 4 boxes of books today. from Kelly, and from Cindy, one from the friends of Bartam Trail Libary. I thank all of you for the wonderful gifts"

"Thank you very much for the package of books. They will be put to good use and will provide my Marines with a means of passing the time away from home."

"Thank you so much for all your wonderful support over these several months. We have created 7 fully stocked libraries -- one for every unit in my Brigade!!!!! We received soo much support in fact that we have absolutely no more room for any more books. Thank you for helping us create an escape for so many people!!!"

"As a "reader" and lifelong learner I trully appreciate your books. I have been in Afghanistan for 4 months and I have already read 15 novels. Thank you for helping to break up the monotony of my deployment. You are all great paople and great Americans. God Bless You and pray for victory. "

"I would like to thank all that support the Troops. Right know I am in Iraq for the 3rd time. I would like to thank the Graham family for the books that I just got and the other families as well. Thanks for all the Western books."

"Thank you so much for the books. I truly appreciate the support you guys are providing us. Proud to serve YOU and our great nation!"

"In the last few months the Patient Library has received numerous boxes of donations from as far as Ogden, UT, Cypress, CA, Lubbock, TX, and Keedysvile, MD. We appreciate the many donations of wonderful books for our patients and their families to read. It makes the time they spend in the hospital less strenuous for them. We appreciate the support you provide the patients and their loved ones."

"I am currently serving in Baqubah, Diyala Province, Iraq. I wanted to take the time to thank all those at Operation Paperback for their support of our deployed soldiers. We truly appreciate your constant care and concern, and the books you have provided us throughout our deployment have given us the means to unwind and relax during often long and difficult days. All of us here take pride in the work we are doing, and believe that our partnership with the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police is the key to providing lasting security for this country. Thanks again for all your support, and we look forward to our return home soon!"

"I wanted to send a quick note to let you know that the books arrived and I am truly grateful. Thank you so much. I am a Marine helicopter pilot and fly CH-53E Super Stallions. This is my third deployment in the last three years. As you can imagine, it is always nice to get mail and hear from people back home. I will be sure to share the books you sent with all of my fellow Marines. It will give them a good chance to excape the stresses of being deployed. Again, thank you so much for thinking of me and I will stay in touch."

"Thanks goes to Diann R. and her father Frank P. for their books. Also the Ogletree Deakins Library Staff did a great job sending us so many titles. "

"I would like to thank the Rotary Club of Gilmer County and the Gilmer County Library. We have received your packaged and we greatly appreciate it."

"I just received 2 packages of books from you all. I really appreciate it and the guys here do too. They really help out on long hours on guard and when our power goes out. Thank you all sooooo very much."

"Just wanted to let you know that I got the box of books today and want to thank you very much. All the soldiers of the 2nd BSTB here at Camp Liberty appreciate the books and thank you."

"Today we received your box of 57 books. Thank you so much! There are all kinds of great titles in there: Classic fiction, nonfiction, light reading... Everything our guys like. We truly appreciate your generosity and thoughtful selections!"

"I cannot thank you all enough for all the books I've received. In one week I received 4 boxes full of books books and more books. More than I believe I can read on my deployment. I picked out several books for myself and the other books I donated to the Library here for others to read. Thank you for the book donation and packages that you send out, it means so much to get mail from home. Thank you Thank you Thank you!"

"I wanted to let you know that I received your shipment of books. I can't begin to thank you enough! I also wanted to let you know that I shared them with everyone in the office, and they were very appreciative as well. You may not realize that what you do makes a HUGE difference to us, so I wanted to let you know that it does. With the heat and the dust storms, a book is priceless. It takes your mind off where you are and what is going on outside. And it makes it seem just a bit like home, even though it never will come close. Thank you so much for your support of the troops, no matter where we are. We are here doing our job, but we could never make it without the support of the people back in the States. We are grateful to you!!!"

"I've been deployed to Iraq just over a month and wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the books you send over. They really are a help, especially since we have no way of buying books here anyway. Where I am now, the PX is so small that it cannot carry books. Having about a thousand books to choose from, thanks to your organization, and the fact they're free, really makes your service great for morale."

"I want to send my sincere Thanks to all of the wonderful people who not only contribute books, but their time and prayers, as well, to make Operation Paperback a wonderful program. I have been fortunate enough to receive books from Ms. Frances H., Ms. Debbie W., Ms. Sue H., Ms. Eleanor D. and the People of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, and the employees and veterans of Forest Products Laboratory. I am truly thankful for people like this. Thank you for the wonderful things that you continue to do for our servicemembers each and every day."

"This is to acknowledge the receipt of your shipment of paperback books to the USS Cape St. George. The sailors aboard the CAPE are very appreciative of your support."

"I recently just got a package of books from you and I wanted to say thank you very much! These books will make a great addition to the starting of our library!"

"I have received many wonderful books from this organization already. It is so exciting to see that I have mail and that it is from people back home. I really appreciate all the hard work and effort that everyone is going to when it comes to reading our emails and sorting through books to send to all of us overseas. Thank you for your time and consideration."

"I would like to say thank you to the members of the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Michigan. I would like to thank you for all the wonderful books. You are truly a blessing for all of us who read those books."

"Thank you so much for the books they are so awesome!!!! You guys just don't know how much these mean being over here in Iraq they (books) take me away from here and I love to read. I read all day on Sundays that's my one day off. It's a great thing that you are doing and I appreciate it more than I can express. Thank you again."

"I would like to thank the U.S. Security Assistance Command and the US Army War College for the books that I recently received. They were issued to many of the troops here in Kuwait and they really enjoyed them."

"I have received the books from you guys and want to say thank you. The books are good."