Some of our marines need some items to help out. I know this is a long diary. I got this from a friend today. She tried to give you just a three paragraph summation to read:
My brother and his wife live in Littleton. Bob signed up with the government to get help paying for him medical school. In exchange he has to serve in this war. I don’t think that when he signed up it occurred to him that he would really be in this awful war situation.
Bob was dropped off with a day bag of medical supplies and left. What I mean by that is that they dropped him off by helicopter but didn’t tell him he wouldn’t be "coming back". He sleeps on the floor of a dirt hut. He has not showered or changed his clothing in 6 weeks. He gets two meals a day. Since his unit is surrounded by the Taliban no planes or helicopters land where they are. There are two dead marines outside of his hut. They can’t get the bodies out because they are surrounded by the Taliban and only get boxes dropped to them. I can’t believe the government doesn’t even give them basis things like toothpaste, deodorant, bug spray, chap stick.
Here is where you and I come in.
Bob and the men in his unit need the following items. If you have any of these new or used items, please send to the address below. Read the list, many of these things you probably send to "goodwill" or the recycling plant weekly.
Please tell everyone who does send a package to include their name and address, as I know my brother will send a thank you at some point. ANYTHING is appreciated. He will pass it on and just know your contributions will directly help many men and women serving.
Here is his information:
Lt. Robert Engelen
HQSVC S4/CO/AS
1/6
Unit 73150
FPO-AE 09510-3150
Attn: Chief Murphy Please send to Lt. Engelen
The boxes will be dropped in by airplane or helicopter because of the situation with the Taliban. Please pack it well. He will be stranded in that area for several more weeks, if not months.
Please pray for his safety and I am so thankful for anything you can do!
List of items at bottom
toothpaste
toothbrushes
baby wipes
books (used are great)
magazines (ex:time,people,newsweek,mens health etc..) (used are great)
CDs
cassettes(music or books on tape) (again used are great)
movies (DVD) (again, used are great)
bug spray
sunscreen
lip balm
lotion
blankets
pillow
sheets
towels (I’m sure old is fine)
snacks(any kind of nuts, candy, power bars, chex mix,chips, crackers, etc..)
batteries
pencils/pens
paper
ear plugs
socks
underwear
white tee shirts
More letters from the family are below explaining the situation even more
This next letter is a letter Bob’s wife sent to all of Bob’s family. My sister in law forwarded it to me. This is horrifying and this is what got my attention.
Hello to All!
I just heard from Bob today and he is doing well. He has a pretty good attitude despite the fact that he has been sleeping on the ground in a mud hut in the blistering afghan dessert sun without a blanket, sleepingbag, or pillow, without running water, electricity, only food ration is 2 MRE's per day and having bad guys launching morters constantly!! He is at the most forward marine post with the 24th Marine Expedentiary Unit clearing out the Taliban from the key supply town of Garmsir in Helmand province. This is where 95% of the world's heroin comes from and the taliban use the poppy fields in this region to fund their weapons cash. I am really proud of Bob and what he is acomplishing. Not many people in their lifetimes can ever have an experience like this. He is definately going through some hard times but he is in a position to be the first one in to save someone's life who might have otherwise died. He is sacrificing a lot by being there, but the amount of good he is doing makes this hard time easier to bear. He did say that he has been taking care of multiple Afghan traumas, but there are relatively few marine traumas that they have had.
He only gets about 5 minutes at most once per week to use the satellite phone so i just got a call from him today. He told me to tell everyone that he loves them and misses them. He says he is safe, but he wants us to pray for him. Thank you to everyone for the cards and packages, theses are the small things that make his day and reminds him of all the people back here who love him and are waiting for him to come home. If you do send a package- he said today to put on there "Attn Chief Murphy please send to Lt. Engelen" and that way they can put it on the next helo that will drop in supplies to their camp. I just sent a blanket and pillow today.
I also have found some pictures on the internet that are all of the 24th MEU. I did see him in a few of the pictures!!! Go to www.flickr.com/photos/24thmeu there go to page 6 and you will see him trying to start an IV line on a 2 year old boy who's legs were burned and also standing over a young afghan boy with abdominal trauma. If you have a hard time seeing them give me a call! I am not 100% certain but i did see his watch and leatherman along with it looking like him!
Thank you also to everyone who is supporting me. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family on both sides! I don't know what i would do without you. Engelen" and that way they can put it on the next helo that will drop in supplies to their camp. I just sent a blanket and pillow today.
THIS NEXT LETTER IS FROM MY SISTER IN LAW TO ME:
Kate,
I am so grateful for your offering to help. It means so much to me and my family. Everything that is sent will be so appreciated.
Bob is a very caring person and being one of two doctors in his unit he has a very big interest in seeing the Marines and Afgan children are taken care of. His situation is not good at all at this time. You can reference the prior email. If anyone in you know is willing to help, I have several items they need. I want you to know it will get to him at some point! He is not scheduled to come home until late November.
Many items can be used or new. If you have it and it is taking up space, send it. Several of the marines receive nothing.
toothpaste
toothbrushes
baby wipes
books
magazines (ex:time,people,newsweek,mens health etc..)
CDs
cassettes(music or books on tape)
movies (DVD)
bug spray
sunscreen
lip balm
lotion
blankets
pillow
sheets
towels
snacks(any kind of nuts, candy, power bars, chex mix,chips, crackers, etc..)
batteries
pencils/pens
paper
ear plugs
socks
underwear
white tee shirts
Knowing our government does not supply these men and women who are fighting a war for us is shocking and sad. I never would have believed. He is the doctor taking care of the Marines, who do and will continue risk their lives for our country and President. My brother has slept with no blanket,pillow, shower, toothbrush, running water, etc... for six weeks. Just so unbelievable.
Please tell everyone who does send a package to include their name and address, as I know my brother will send a thank you at some point. ANYTHING is appreciated. He will pass it on and just know your contributions will directly help many men and women serving.
Here is his information:
Lt. Robert Engelen
HQSVC S4/CO/AS
1/6
Unit 73150
FPO-AE 09510-3150
Attn: Chief Murphy Please send to Lt. Engelen
The boxes will be dropped in by airplane or helicopter because of the situation with the Taliban. Please pack it well. He will be stranded in that area for several more weeks, if not months.
Please pray for his safety and I am so thankful for anything you can do!
Love,
Sara