First of all, thank you all so much for supporting us both last year and now again. I've already received many packages for the soldiers in my unit.
I'm sorry I won't be able to reply to you in person like last time. I know it must be frustrating to wonder whether or not what you've sent has actually reached the recipient. However, I can assure you that, I know every package my wife has ever sent has reached me. We were even recently concerned about one that was sent as 1 of 3 that was late, but finally reached me today, about 5 days later.
I'm writing this because it appears I will be leaving prematurely due to an illness requiring my wife's hospitalization. It's serious, but stable and should go well, but I am heading home on emergency leave. Surprisingly, I may not be returning for our last couple of weeks of redeployment duties...
...at my unit's discretion. While I fully intended to pursue emergency leave to be with my wife in her time of need, I never expected I might never return. I have mixed thoughts concerning this, considering the relationship I have developed with my fellow soldiers during our deployment, but ultimately I am appreciative of my chain of command's common sense about returning simply for the sake of spending another 2-3 weeks in country and that I am allowed to comfort my bride.
It's not ending as I expected. I'm somewhat in a state of shock both that my wife requires this much care and that I won't be completing my full tour as planned, albeit two months shy of our extended tour. As much as we all want to come home, I feel an obligation to my peers and subordinates...and guilt for leaving early.
I digress. I mainly wanted to say that I will probably not be here to receive additional packages, but I want you to know that your efforts are successful, that the troops are receiving your gifts, and that I have planned for my absence. Regardless of whether or not you see this change, your care packages will reach the troops. I have prepared a Memorandum for Record allowing a surrogate to open all "any solder" mail and distribute accordingly, so that it is not unnecessarily forwarded. You may also substitute SGT John Hart, my physical therapist assistant, in the address line (C CO 15 BSB 2BCT, FOB Prosperity, APO AE 09348) to receive packages.
Thank you for your support
CPT Matthew Larson
2245 A Street
Lincoln, NE 68502