Walt and Deanne and the Masonic Lodge

I'm late with the writing of the letter, but with the last part of Ramadan

we have been quite busy. My Soldiers received the packages the night before

Veterans Day and a two week mission. We loaded the boxes into the vehicles

prior to rolling out side the wire and two weeks later when we rolled back

in there was noting left but wrappers. It was a touch of class from you and

your organization. My unit should be back in the United States by New

Years.

Thank you for your support.

Solid Warriors

1SG Hutchings 463rd MP Co, Iraq

 Thank You for Supporting Our Troops in Iraq

On October 21^st, representatives of the concordant bodies of the Everett Masonic Center met to pack donations of personal items to be sent to our troops in Iraq.  By noon of that day, 388 pounds of personal goods were on their way to the 463^rd MP Co., Camp Taji, Baghdad Iraq.

What a response we had… An article published in the Everett Herald during the week prior, describing our efforts, generated many donations.  Neighbors stopped by to drop off items, a Vietnam Vet who said he wanted to help dropped off a large bag of items, and a representative from the Everett Aqua Sox baseball team delivered seven cases of packaged sports Jelly Bellies.  Valley of Everett Scottish Rite donated $600.00 worth of phone cards and every organization in the Everett Masonic Center contributed either monetarily or with personal items. 

After packaging all of the candy, beef jerky, disposable cameras and personal care items, it suddenly became a reality that we had more to ship than funds available to cover the expense.  We mailed what we could and put the remainder in storage until the next shipment early next year, continuing the effort that has already generated two previous shipments of goods this year.

Although this was a joint effort of all the various bodies in the Everett Masonic Center, I want to thank all who worked so very hard to put this together.  A special thank you is due the local community, the Valley of Everett Scottish Rite and to the Everett Aqua Sox for their generous donations.  Our hope is the donations will arrive by Christmas and will in some small way show our support and appreciation for the tremendous sacrifice our troops are making on our behalf.

Thank you again.

The Members of Robert Burns Lodge #243