02 January 2008

Dear Matthew Hunt,

Thank you so much for the donation of the beautiful cards sent for the Soldiers of 526 Brigade Support Battalion.  We plan to distribute them over Valentine's Day in order to boost the morale.  there was much excitment as the package was opened.  It is through the support of our family and friends at home that we are sustained and continue our fight.  Your support of our battalion serves as a great boost to the mental and emotional well being of our Soldiers.  I am so thankful for Americans like you who appreciate the sacrifices these Soldiers make and your intentions on helping them through the deployment.  Your support makes the separation from our families especially during the various holidays, a little more bearable.

Our Battalion supports an Infantry Brigade operating in and around Baghdad, Iraq.  When we arrived here back in 2005, there was a high level of insurgent activity in our area of operation. Since we took over in our sector, the insurgents have met a strong arm of American Military opposition, and gradually we have added the support of the Iraqi Army to our defense of the civilian population in this area.  This deployment we have seen an increase of support for our Soldiers as the Iraqi people slowly begin to rebuild their lives.  We are quite proud of the work our Soldiers do, making the work of the Infantry Soldiers possible.  They move equimpent such as ammunition, food, and supplies to outlying patrol bases, and have done a spectacular job of meeting the demands of a brigade that is always on the move.  I'm glad to report that our Soldiers have done quite well these last few months here in Iraq.  Much progress has been made, but there is still a lot to do.  We continue to fight the good fight, as we help Iraqis secure their own future.

I am gratefule for any prayers you might say on behalf of the Soldiers and families of 526BSB. I thank you for those you have already said, and those you continue to say each and every day of our deployment.  It is through prayer that we are sustained, and through prayer that we will safely return home.

Dara L
Battalion Chaplain Assistant