Note: the views expressed in the letters are not necessarily those of anyone associated with the Web Site or its backers.  We provide a place for the writers to sound off.

January 1, 2009

Hi,

I received a beautiful letter from President Bush today. Continue to pray for him and President Elect Obama. As I told him, when he passes the baton, I go with it. God requires us to "pray for our leaders" and not to get caught up in the rhetoric. Things aren't always as they seem! Keep your eyes on Israel and aboveall on Jesus Christ.

I am asking for prayer for my ministry in that I will be able to accomplish all that God requires of me for my Soldiers. The Ol Girl will be 62 in a few days and still going strong. If you need me on that day, check the yellow pages under COUNTRY BUFFET!

Pray continually for the brave men and women who serve our Great Nation!

Yours in Christ,
florence

To All:

I am posting the following e-mail because it will let you see the "heart" of one of the men God has put in place to "Guard His flock". He brings to mind this Scripture:

"...guard yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God which he brought with his own blood..." Acts 20(28)

God has us all strategically placed and I thank God for SFC Bamberg and his obedience to Christ. He is serving God and man, in that order.............:)

I will FOREVER Salute SFC Stevon E.Bamberg as one of our Heros!

Yours in Christ,
florence

From: Bamberg, Stevon E SFC
To: roseofsharon
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2009

Hello my Sister in Christ,

Indeed it is a pleasure to have been able to be a part of connecting you with my Pastor. May the Lord bless you and the ministry that He has entrusted you with. I was blessed to hear of the goodness of the Lord and how many blessings have flowed through you because of your obedience unto the Lord. Many lives have been touched by your obedience.

May the Lord continue to bless and cause you to prosper in all that you are called to do.

In His service,

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

SFC Stevon E. Bamberg

To All:

The following is an update from Lee and it is self-explanatory. Continue to pray for him and his fellow Soldiers as they serve our Great Nation!

Yours in Christ,
florence
---
From: Lee Hardin
Subject: Quick update
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2009

Hey how's it going everybody? I just wanted to send some pictures a little update on what's been going on with me. For the most part we have been staying busy with all of the different things that have been going on. As you can see from the pictures, our jobs here are very different than what we are used to. Being over here is not as scary as people think, but being a little scared keeps you on your toes. 

The convoys are pretty cool, especially when we get to go up into the mountains. They are not that cool when we have to travel on roads on the side of mountains that are barely wider than the vehicle we are riding in, yeah at times it makes you want to hold your breathe and not look down. All in all this has been a pretty good experience and I am glad that I volunteered to come over here. I hope you all enjoy the pictures. Until next time, catch you later.

Take care,
Lee

To All:

This is a copy of an e-mail that I received from a fellow "Soldier for Christ" that God brought into my life through Amtrak. NOTHING happens by chance, and God will reveal why our paths intersected in his own time. I am posting this e-mail because their is NOTHING that can compare to "seeing" the "hand of God" move in my life/ministry as He brings forth people who know the power of prayer and the importance of appropriating the Promises of God in our lives!

"...the prayers of the righteous availeth much..."

Yours in Christ,
florence
---
From:  Angela Shilo Wilson
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2009

Good Morning Florence!

It was great to talk to you yesterday, too! God is so wonderful, isn't He? It is just fantastic when we get to meet and talk with another Believer in Christ. It's just a wonderful connection that takes place, even if you never see or talk to the person again. We are all family, all members in the Body of Christ.

May God continue to bless you mightly in your ministries, Florence. I've been to your web site and read some of the responses from others regarding your ministry work. God Bless you. You truly are bearing forth much fruit. May God continue to strengthen you and inspire you to even greater heights through Christ Jesus. Thank you for your example and inspiration. I intend to share your web site with others in our intercessory prayer ministry. I've already said a prayer to God for you and what your are doing. I will also lift you up at our intercessory prayer ministry meeting. To God Be The Glory!

I thank you again for your assistance regarding my Amtrak ticket. You take care, and you are truly correct--we still have much work to do until our Savior Jesus Christ returns--and He IS coming back--more sooner now than ever!

To God Be The Glory! Yes, come quickly Lord Jesus!

Yours In Christ,
Angela

From: Roche, Joseph A SGT
Subject: This remarkable moment
Date: Sunday, February 1, 2009

[Blog entry about elections in Iraq.]

SGT Joe Roche

To: All

This is the latest update from Joe, which will give you some insight into what is going on is his life at this time. Please continue to pray for Joe and his fellow Soldiers as they carry out their missions.

Yours in Christ,
florence

Date: Fri, 3/27/09
From: Roche, Joseph A SSG
To: roseofsharon1979@yahoo.com

Ms. Duckett,

I'm having an extraordinary time on leave from the war. It isn't the usual experience because I took a bit of a different trip. Most soldiers, when they go on leave go home back to America. I have been deployed before, and I have my affairs relatively in order, so I decided to go elsewhere. A few soldiers are doing this, mainly those of us who are on repeated tours. I went to Cape Town, South Africa. Though I found a paradise and much fun that was truly a world away from all the challenges of the war, I also found that many of the experiences I've had in Cape Town resonate with our struggles in Iraq, Afghanistan, in the larger War on Terror, and to the soul we have to maintain in our lives as we move on as Americans.

History is a hard thing to deal with. I know we all love to say "the truth will set you free," but I think that only applies when the truth doesn't indict you for wrongs. Please understand, I'm not being self-righteous in saying this. Honestly, I don't know how to put into perspective all I saw and did while on leave.

Keep in mind that I left a situation in the war where we are doing very well in Iraq, though the future there is worrying in that it is clear some Iraqis will still experience some of the biggest challenges for their country in the years ahead. Sunnis, Shia and Kurds all have issues yet to settle in various parts, but overall the situation is truly extraordinary in what has been accomplished. Afghanistan, on the other hand, is going to be a huge challenge. I'm afraid we will find that what we accomplished in Iraq was easy compared to Afghanistan, and I believe that we will find in the end that it is in Iraq that we dealt the most decisive blows against the jihadist terrorist threat. In my mind, as we move on from Iraq to Afghanistan, from President Bush to President Obama, I have the legacies of mistakes that were made, tough moments in the war that have not been accepted by many people yet, missions such as that in Guantanamo Bay holding those most dangerous detainees, and other twilight missions part of the war in Africa, Asia and elsewhere. Yes, change has come, but I think the larger part of the change is how we want to view ourselves, and in that as a soldier, I'm not sure the change is so real as much as a wish.

Forgive me for sounding somber. Let me try to explain why and how the leave I took in Cape Town has been so wonderful, but also very heart wrenching at the same time.

Cape Town is dominated by the most beautiful land I've ever seen. Keep in mind I've traveled a lot, and I've been to many of the most beautiful places on Earth. I'm telling you that Cape Town is right up there at the top. Table Mountain archs over the city in a majestic way that is breathtaking to behold every day. Google pictures of this place. The bays, beaches, hiking paths, everything is just amazingly enchanting. Cape Town truly is a well-kept undiscovered secret. I hiked up to the top of the mountain, hiked in other directions too, walked along miles of beaches, and saw some of the most amazing sights. You'd laugh if you saw the sunburn I received on my head. My skin is pealing.

As an American in Cape Town it is awesome. The dollar is one-to-ten on the rand. Everything is cheap. I mean, you will find high-class fancy and lavish things to do, but all of it is very inexpensive. I met many Americans moving here in retirement on fixed incomes because of this. The people are very nice. Yes, there is a crime problem, but I'm telling you it is no worse than what you'll find in any major American city, and you can find ways to stay safely away from it.

I have had a great time here. Yes, I partied a bit too much, and I certainly ate way too much. I hope my 1st Sergeant doesn't punish me too much when I return to duty because I also did all the hiking. I took boat rides out into the ocean, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet coming up from the Antarctica. There are also helicopter tours, abseiling ["to rope down", rappelling] off the mountain, and all sorts of wildly wonderful things like that to do. This city is full of dozens of abundant markets. Every day I walked to these and explored things I had only seen in pictures before. I also visited dozens of museums, historical places, and other sights where the brilliantly complex web of diverse cultures arose in Cape Town. Big whales come to these bays, and other wildlife is fascinating and frequent to see. I didn't do the safari or wine tours, but I did do other things such as visit the acquarium.

As a student of history, and as an American who has been involved in many of our own country's challenges over the past few decades, I also made sure to explore and visit much of the intensity of South African history that is in Cape Town. This, perhaps most somberly, is where I have been gripped in ways that are very challenging.

I went to Robben Island, where some of the cruelest practices were carried out in exiling political prisoners for many years. It is a quiet place now, inhabited largely by those who want to maintain the memory of what happened there. One of the political prisoners who spent seven years in tortuous conditions took me around. I stood in Nelson Mandela's cell, 46664, where for 18 years he toiled as part of the 27 years he was imprisoned. I can't tell you how heart-rendering that was to experience.

I also visited the Aparthied Museum, and went through many of the sights and experiences now kept to record the crimes that happened under apartheid, such as the killing of Steven Biko or the destruction of District Six. It was just devastating. I couldn't help putting it into perspective as an American, realizing that District Six could have been like Bourbon Street in New Orleans, or Adams Morgan in Washington DC. If you don't know what I'm talking about, be sure to look up District Six if you go to Cape Town.

I also visited the Slave Lodge. So many souls suffered the most cruel and animalistic hatred of humanity's worst there. Yes, the legacy of slavery was there, but it was also quite personal for many of the people in Africa. Hundreds died there, families broken up in auctions, thousands kept in horrendous conditions. Yes it did end a long time ago, but unlike learning of slavery in America where it can seem a bit detached sometimes, there is no escaping its legacy in Africa when you are in Africa.

There was a strange brilliance to the diversity of cultures that make up Cape Town, while at the same time so many dark sides to the history of some of the communities and cultures. For example, at the Castle of Good Hope, the torture chambers and prisons are part of learning about the fascinating legacy of all those who ruled, traveled to and relied on that fortress for hundreds of years.

I found a uniquely bold acceptance and acknowledgement of all this on the part of the South Africans, white, black and others, in that this is their history. It all makes up who they are today. The Dutch, British, Jews of Lithuania, Indians, so many diverse cultures make up Cape Town's richness, as well as all the diverse black people from the Xhosa, Zulu and other tribes, including the more recent migrants such as those from Zimbabwe, Eritrea, and elsewhere. The Jews, by the way, have a fascinating history. They largely came from Lithuania fleeing persecution. The Holocaust wiped out most of their connection to that land, but interestingly the Jewish community of South Africa thrived in great diversity as it championed living in that country. And yes, I visited the Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center in Cape Town. Again, the connections to Cape Town in all this were very powerful.

As you can imagine, I experienced all this while on leave from the War on Terror, thinking of the condemnation of us American soldiers over things like Abu Ghraib, Gitmo, and other things that went wrong or were misunderstood. For example, I couldn't help feeling somewhat empty when visiting Robben Island and imagining that someday people will be making similiar tours to Gitmo, suggesting similarity in crimes.

I spoke about this with the former political prisoner who took me to Mandela's cell while at Robben Island. Seven years of his life were spent toiling in cruel conditions side-by-side with Mandela and others who are now South Africa's leaders. Like a father correcting a wayward child, he struck me down almost angrily telling me that what we Americans have done at Gitmo, Abu Ghraib, and overall in this war is to strike back and defeat a great terror and those who would torment and oppress millions of others. He said, "what happened here is NOT an indictment of you, because those you have captured and killed would instead be the ones running a prison and quarry to torture political prisoners."

Yes, I knew that, but sometimes it is hard to remember when we hear all the criticism from people, especially fellow Americans, who speak of our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan as if we are criminals. To have been chided by a man who lost several years of his life in prison for ideas and politics because of the color of his skin, however, was a medicine that has both struck me down, and built me back up as an American soldier.

He said, "yes, probably someday many years from now someone will try to mimick Robben Island and condemn what you have done. But always know, you Americans are fighting for justice in this war, and that is good. I too was condemned for years for what I did, but things do have a way of correcting themselves." I couldn't help feeling stunned by the irony of his lecture to me. He had been an African National Congress activist, a supporter of communism as an opponent of apartheid during the Cold War. Yet, while I as an American soldier have felt ashamed of our missions in this war because of the condemnation I see all over our country from fellow Americans who criticise us, there I was being straighted out by this man, a former political prisoner, a former ANC activist, who lost so much due to cruel political persecution and injustice. How strange it is as an American soldier to be rescued like this from such a man who can speak decisively over all those anti-military and anti-war activists back in America. A couple decades ago, he and I were on opposite sides of the ideological divide. Now he is reminding me that America is fighting a righteous cause in this war.

I also took an extended tour of some of the townships around Cape Town. These are, well, they are places of extreme poverty and deprevation. Millions of people live in horrid conditions, boxed-in like that from apartheid and the inability to find effective ways to redress the legacy of such crimes. Are you familiar with the townships? I've seen similar such poverty in Gaza, in India, in Baghdad, but the numbers in South Africa are stunning. Over two million people in over 20 townships outside Cape Town alone. I walked around in a couple of them and had lunch with friends I met there.

In one of the largest townships, Khayelitsha, the random killing of blacks by the security forces under apartheid had inspired the former political prisoner at Robben Island I spoke about. There were so many tragic crimes recorded there, such as when a young white girl was driving through there and was lynched and killed many years ago. The people of Khayelitsha mark such spots with memorials so that the crimes will not be forgotten, and so that we today may learn about the legacy of such hatred. Yet, it was also in Khayelitsha that I spent hours with the people there, learning about their rich legacy, culture, and amazing stories. I can't remember his name, but a fellow golfer with Tiger Woods who is from South Africa is honored by the people of Khayelitsha because of how he brings friends to there every year. They say with pride and reverence that though he is now a millionaire, he doesn't forget or ignore his roots.

I found such fascinating pride and acceptance on the part of South Africans about all of this. What I mean is, they are not afraid to acknowledge the good and bad in their history, and they want the world to become aware of it so that hope can come for bringing some sort of relief in the future, and they also see it all as part of what makes South Africa...well, what it is. Beautiful and tragic, rich and challenged, all at the same time....In a way, very human, isn't it? I couldn't help feeling a bit sheepish as an American, thinking how so many Americans are prone to condeming us soldiers, our own country and our leaders, while in South Africa the people there accept and grow from their far more troubled historical legacies. I wish more Americans could visit Cape Town.

I'm returning to the war around the Persian Gulf, returning to duty as an American soldier, and quite unexpectedly because of my visit to Cape Town, I am proud and excited to be getting back to the American military. I had a great time in Cape Town, saw some of the most beautiful and amazing sights, had way too much fun and partied hard, ate a ton of great food,...and rediscovered my soul.

A strange way to go on leave from the Army, but I hope more fellow soldiers will do this too. Cape Town, an amazing place to re-learn to NOT be afraid of who we are and what our history is.

Take care!
Joe

To All:

This was sent to me by Judi D. I am posting this slide show [does not work in FireFox] because it is one of the most touching expressions of love that I have ever seen. What a way to honor fallen Heroes!

I will FOREVER Salute them!

Yours in Christ,
florence

Date: Sun, 3/29/09
From: Judi D
To: "Florence"

Thought you'd find this interesting!

To All:

The following is from Miss G. She is someone who has a deep love for our Soldiers and writes inspirational music as well. If anyone would like to hear her music, contact me at ministerflorenceduckett@yahoo.co and I will forward it to her.

If there is anyone who has anything that will inspire our troops, let me know. We are all in this together!

Yours in Christ,
florence

Subject: greetings from Miss G
To: roseofsharon1979@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Dearest Florence,

It's always so good to find a little something from you in my mail box. Thanks for keeping me close. I still would love to do some kind of forum for our troops, and I'm wondering about other similar project that already exist. Do you know of any, they must be out there.

I had the opportunity to record about 10 songs on a CD, me and my guitar singing some great old hymns; Closer Walk, Something About That Name, Amazing Grace, I'd Rather Have Jesus, Old Rugged Cross, Take My Hand, and more. It is called "Twist of Faith".

Anyway, I've got to get rolling, know that I haven't forgotten about you or our aspirations.

Stay Blessed,
and a BIG hug to you,
love, "Miss G"

To: All

This is another encouraging letter to help me to continue on and not "...grow weary in well doing..."

Yours in Christ,
Florence
------------------------
From: Whittington, K
To: roseofsharon
Date: Monday, April 27, 2009

Hi Florence!

I also enjoyed speaking with you about our Father and all that He is doing today. The Rose of Sharon ministry you are doing for our troops is a wonderful thing and I'm sure God is pleased. I'm also a boxing fan and when some of the bretheren who think all God is only love, love, love, (and He is Love but that's not all He is) I quote them Psalms 144:1-2 which also applies to those against war. The name of the book is: "Isarel A Blessing or a Curse" by John McTernan. You can get it on Amazon.com for as low as $3.88 used (it is a paperback). I will pray for you and your ministry and please pray for me as I am seeking God's will concerning a ministry I would like to do but want to be sure it is His will and not mine. Thanks again for your help and for sharing your ministry with me. Stay on the firing line as the old song says!

May God richly bless you and make His face to shine upon you as you labor in His service!

In Christ
Kim
Psalms 121

Date: June 5, 2009
To: All

This is the latest entry from Sgt Roche as he serves in the Middle East. The following article from the Herald Tribune is insightful.

Continue to pray for our Troops!

Yours in Christ,
florence 

To All:

This is from one of the awsome Chaplains serving our Great Nation. Continue to pray for him and all the Marines that God has placed in his care.

Yours in Christ,
florence

--------------

From: Powell LCDR Timothy B
Subject: Greetings
To: Minister"Florence Duckett"
Date: Monday, June 22, 2009

Florence,

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers.

Blessings,
LCDR Timothy B. Powell,
Chaplain

This was sent to me by Chilly, one of the Marines God brought into my life. I think these photos are awesome because of all that they represent and one of the reasons we are at war today.

Pray Continually!
Yours in Christ,
florence

Date:Tue, 7/28/09
From: uglyangel
Subject: She's here!!!
Awesome pictures

GREAT NEW PHOTOS

Here SHE is! Notice the two Twin Towers on top.

Here SHE is, the USS New York, made from the World Trade Center!

USS New York was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.

It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there.

'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there,' Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said. 'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back.'

The ship's motto?

'Never Forget'

To All:

The following is the latest e-mail from Lee Hardin. Lee and I started communicating in 2005, while he was in the Middle East. As a courtesy, Command Chaplain John Franklin arranged for us to meet face-to-face when I got my personal tour of the USS Roosevelt. It was an emotional meeting, but not nearly as emotional as knowing that God is bring him safely back to "the world" for Monica and his loved ones!

I rejoice in the goodness of God! Continue to pray for our Troops!

Yours in Christ,
florence
******************
From: Lee Hardin wrote:
Subject: Heading Home Soon
To:Minister Florence Duckett
Date: Friday, July 17, 2009

I will be leaving Afghanistan very, very soon. This deployment has been a very different experience for me. I know that not a lot of good news don't come from over here. I will tell you now that there has been plenty of good news to talk about. I am sure that the news don't mention anything about all of the schools, universities, hospitals, water wells, surround walls, food markets and over 170 kilometers of roads that have been built and paved. Only the negative stuff makes for good news I guess. Just know that there is a lot of good being done over here. There are also a lot of things that get done over here that some people would rather not do, but those things need to be done to make sure we are able to get back home to our families. It takes a lot for a person to put go into harms way day in and day out and not know when they leave their room for that day that they will be back.

I am very proud for being able to come over here and help the people of Afghanistan get connected with their government and be on their way to a better life. I thought I've seen poor when I look at the news back at home and see the homeless. I have a new perspective of what poor is now and I see that a lot of us don't really have much to complain about. I am just really happy to be able to come over here do my job and be able to head home unharmed. I have seen many not so pretty things here and I am glad to say that none of it has change the person that I have always been.

I'll look forward to seeing and hearing from you all in the near future.

Take care,
Lee

To: All

This was sent to me by Judi D. It speaks for itself.

Yours in Christ,
florence
****************
From: Judi D
Subject: A Soldier's Take On Michael Jackson's Death
To: roseofsharon1979@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2009

This is written by a young soldier serving his third tour of duty in Iraq. Thought you might find his take on the Michael Jackson news interesting and he's right.

Okay, I need to rant.

****************

I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.

Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood, and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?

Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America. Where is their moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"

I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.

Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military;

"So that others may live..."

Isaac

P.S. - "So that other's may live..." was also the creed of the Air Rescue & Recovery Service during Vietnam & is still today.

To: All

I am posting this e-mail from Lakiesha on "florence's ALMOST blog" because she is a Soldier who served our Great Nation and is a Soldier for Christ! I met her over the phone at Amtrak. She is fired up for Christ and is waiting to see which "direction" God takes her as she deals with the "call" on her life. She is very active in her Church, Mission of Hope, which is located in Lancaster, Pa. Lakiesha actively addresses the "unmet" needs of our Veterans, along with her Pastor Leonard Christian. Pastor Christian is also a Veteran who has opened his arms and the doors of his Church to other Soldiers as he goes out into the community. God really does have us all "strategically" placed, doesn't he...:)

Continue to pray for Lakiesha and her son Josiah as God opens doors for them. She is and will forever be one of our She-ros! Uncle Sam said "come be ALL that you can be", but Christ said it first.........!

Yours in Christ,
florence

****************

Subject: RE: Greetings!
To: "Florence Duckett" <roseofsharon1979@yahoo.com
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2009

WOW what an awesome GOD we serve! Thank you for this beautiful email, it was right on time. When I got off the phone with you last week, I thanked God that you were on the receiving end of my phone call. I could see/feel your light over the phone. It was truly a blessing to talk to you, and I pray that God does allow you to make your way to Lancaster, Pa. Our church would welcome you with open arms :-)

I am going to reach out to some old soldier buddies and find out if they have any troops or know of any troops that may need some inspirational contact and give them your contact information if that's ok with you?

Continued blessings to you!

God Bless you,
Lakiesha

To: All

The following e-mail is from Lisa, a "fearless" Chaplain serving in the Middle East. She is "fearless" because she knows the God she serves intimately, which is the only way you can survive! You can follow Lisa through her blog, which has photos as well, by clicking on the "link" located on my first page.

Continue to pray for Lisa as she transitions into the next "chapter" of her life. I am trusting God to bring her safely back to "the world."

We love and "salute" you Chaplain Lisa Northway!

Yours in Christ,
florence
******************
Subject: Wrapping Things Up in Iraq
To: roseofsharon
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2009

Hi Everyone,

Still have a "ways" to go but much of the energy is being placed in transitioning those who have come to replace us as well as the mission back home. Even the tough work of packing up in triple digit temperatures is a great sign of the times!

As it turns out a chaplain buddy of mine from my last deployment arrived last weekend to take over chaplain area operations (including the Zero Dollar Store). His joyful heart has made this process somewhat smoother. Many of you have asked for a chaplain address that would sustain much of a mission that would serve many. His command is supportive of what has been established here as their Soldiers are already benefiting from a place where they can sit and have a bit of quiet or a cold drink, cup of coffee or even stock up on toiletries and snacks. The following is his address:

CPT Hur, Paul
HHC 308th BSB, 17 Fires BDE
Unit #105, COB Basra, Iraq
APO, AE 09374

You will probably never fully know this side of eternity the impact many of you have had on my Soldiers and others along the way. I look forward to the possibility of thanking as many of you as possible in person as this life permits.

God Bless You All Real Good!

Always Feel Free to Be in Touch,

With Gratitude for all the Support,
Lisa

To: All

The following is a "glimpse" into the life of one of our heroes who is returning this week. We thank God for returning him to us!

Continue to pray for our Soldiers and their families. We must also pray for our leaders, that God will give them the wisdom they need to get it done!

Yours in Christ,
florence

On Wed, 8/26/09, Maria wrote:

A HERO'S WELCOME:

We will Welcome Home Ryan Harper, USMC Phoenixville, Pa

.......Attention on Deck.........

I was deployed to Iraq on January 15, 2007. On February 16 a 82mm mortar round landed on the roof of my truck between the rear passenger and myself. I was hit in the right shoulder/back. It shattered my scapula and fractured two of my ribs. Also, my right lung collapsed from the percussion of the blast. I drove the vehicle another 2 miles or so to an Army outpost where we were given medical attention. I was then flown to Taqqadum Surgical and then to Landstuhl, Germany. I ended my trip in Bethesda, MD.

After ten days and 5 surgeries I was sent home to recover and started rehab at the Coatesville V.A. Also, two others were injured in the attack. My turret gunner Cpl. Wysocki had shrapnel pass through his left forearm and was peppered down his left side. My battalion Gunner CWO3 Snyder was hit with a couple small pieces of shrapnel causing mostly superficial wounds. Our battalion operations officer Capt. Siebert was sitting behind me, he was killed.

PLEASE JOIN US IN WELCOMING HOME THIS BRAVE MARINE AND ALSO RECOGNIZING ALL THE BRAVE MARINES

Hi,

I heard about you through Marty's site, www.anysoldier.com. Marty and I go back to 2004 when God blessed me with my "personalized" tape ministry for our troops. I used to get soldiers names from him regularly, this is how I met Chaplain Northway. She has been in touch with me, so I know that she is doing well.

It is sooooooo awsome the way Marty and his son started the site and now they have several THOUSAND soldiers on it. I know there is a great need for your site because of the women I deal with over there who can't wait until they come "back to the world"......)

I have been to the White House, as you can see, and I received a beautiful letter from President Obama a few weeks ago. He welcomes all the support he can get! We are all in this together, so lets get it done!

Yes, you can add me to your list.

Take care!

Yours in Christ,
florence

--- On Thu, 8/27/09, Sister Soldier wrote:
Subject: RE: Greetings!
To: Florence Duckett
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009

ABOSOLUTELY!!!!

Thank you for your kind words about our site. We would be delighted to have a link your site.

Lisa Northway assisted me with getting to 30 Soldiers in need of Hair Care Products. I believe she is back home in Colorado.

Marty Horn with www.anysoldier.com Rocks! He added us to his web site under Other efforts. We get more hits from that site than we do from Google, Yahoo and AOL combined. How did you hear about us?

We do packing parties nearly every month; we shipped 100 packages in July, 58 so far in August and will pack Monday for 20 Soldiers, and again in October for 60. Anytime you want to include your CD’s we would be happy to send them along with our packages.

I would like to add you to our mailing list if it is okay with you.

All the best,

Myraline Morris Whitaker
Sister Soldier Project, LLC
Post Office Box 1311
Grover Beach, CA 93483
www.sistersoldierproject.com

To: All

God has blessed us by sending Joe "back to the world" as they say! I am trusting God to continue to bless his life as he reintegrates. Join me in welcoming one of our heros home!

Yours in Christ,
florence
*************
From: Roche, Joseph A SSG RES
Subject: absolutely majestic
To: roseofsharon
Date: Saturday, September 5, 2009

Ms. Duckett,

It is an absolutely majestic experience to ride the trains all over our country after returning from deployment. I'm using Amtrak's rail pass deal to see the country for a couple months. I've been to California from Washington, DC twice now, and am headed back cross-country again, making numerous stops along the way. I really recommend returning soldiers, anyone actually, consider doing this. I'm having the best time.

I've been to several of the great sights of America, such as the Grand Canyon, Glacier National Park, all along the West Coast up to Vancouver and down to Tijuana. In Kansas City I visited the National World War One Museum. It was very impressive and powerfully done. I've also visited a few of the presidential libraries, being fully bi-partisan by the way. Of course I've been to many of the remarkable landmarks that dot our country from coast-to-coast.

This is such a refreshing and inspiring thing to do. Soldiers come back from deployments and often waste time trying to re-adjust. I'd like to recommend they consider doing what I'm doing because though I'm not exactly taking time to re-adjust, I'm having a great time putting everything about the deployment behind me while learning and experience the vast greatness and brilliantly amazing sights of America. In fact, I'm starting to realize that after these train travels, I'm going to be more impacted by this when I return to work rather than anything that happened in the deployment.

Honestly, though, every American should seriously consider doing this. It is an awesome way to see the country. It is also fun. I've been reading books, a lot on such topics as the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, while riding the trains. There is so much interactive history you can do like this, focusing on various things that are pertinent to cities, regions or states across the nation. There are also many museums that dove-tail train travels and learning about our country's extraordinary myriad of achievements in so many different things.

And it is also extremely relaxing and enjoyable. Please feel free to post this note on your website to share w/ soldiers and their families because I really think this is a great way to get on with life and move on after a deployment. The trick is, of course, to have some weeks off to travel like this, and certainly to not travel with too many people. In fact, I'm doing this on my own, which I find is just great! I'm meeting friends in some places, and other places I just explore on my own.

I'll write more later this fall when I complete these train travels and prepare to return to civilian work. Take care.

Joe

To All:

The following e-mail is from Abbe, lovingly called "Miss G". She is someone God brought into my life a few months ago. God has blessed her with a music ministry as well as some other creative "gifts" which she is using. If you are interested in one of her cds, or her hand crafted kazoos, you can contact her at:

abbesaber@aol.com

Please pray for her continued success in her business venture and for her spiritual growth!

Yours in Christ,
florence
*************
To: roseofsharon
Date: Monday, September 7, 2009

Hello Florence,

Wow, I'm glad you liked my cd. The pastor who recorded me only gave me "one take" and so it is what it is, mistakes and all.

I have been busy with my new venture, Woodstock Wooden Kazoo's.

I handcraft wooden kazoo's here in Woodstock, NY and they are selling GREAT.

I play them and sing to the people and business is good. I'm making important music connections and famous people are getting my kazoo's as gifts from their friends who have met me. It's all good, and I'm making some real good money (which makes the whole process even sweeter).

God bless you Florence and thanks for listening to my cd and always keeping in touch.

Much love and respect, Abbe, Miss G.

Here are some Thank You notes sent to Sister Soldier for the packages sent to them.

#1, #2, #3

To: All

I am posting this entry on "florence's Almost blog" because it gives us a glimpse into the adventures of one of our Veterans who is traveling the United States on Amtrak. Mr John Havercamp served in the Navy with the 7th Battalion. He is traveling with his daughter, Jan, as a "gift of love." I thank God for His continued blessings in Mr Havercamp's life, and for Jan remembering the only Commandment with a promise.

"...honor your mother and father that your days may be long upon this earth..."

I will forever salute John Havercamp as one of our heroes!

Thank You!
Yours in Christ,
florence

P.S. Thank you Jan for sharing your "gift" with us!

-------------

From: Jan Odell
To: Minister Florence Duckett
Date: Monday, October 12, 2009

Hi Florence,

I enclosed my journal so far on our trip from Flint, Michigan to Reno, Nevada. We were so disappointed that we didn't get to go through the Rocky Mountains. I want to take a train back to Denver and return to Reno again. From what so many said, we missed the best of the best for a spectacular view. I understand the color was bursting too. I hope to be able to do this again someday. We fly home on Wednesday.

Keep in touch. Blessings to you,

Jan
------------------

October 7-9, 2009

Reno, Nevada

Dad and I are heading out west on the cool, crisp fall morning.

Freight trains caused us to delay our start nearly by one hour. As we were rolling down the tracks, the sun came up amidst a cloudy sky. We are seeing patches of red and yellow fall colors. We are hoping to capture brilliant fall colors in the Rocky Mountains.

It’s overcast and cloudy with peaks of sunshine.

We crossed into central time in Indiana and arrived in Chicago around 12:45 central time. I settled dad in and couldn’t resist a short walk in the city. It’s a beautiful afternoon with a few clouds in the sky and warm temperatures.

We are settled in on the second level of the coach with all of our luggage stored above us.

From the observation car, we watched the scenery go by. The crops look ripe and ready for harvest. The golf courses are green and plush. As we cross the plains, the train speeds up and the miles fly by.

As the sun beat down on us, we both drifted off for a nap. As we got closer to Iowa, the flatness of the land became rolling hills with the sight of crops being harvested.

We passed towns that remind me of Mayberry, with a small town look and a time square.

As we crossed through Iowa, the sun set with a beautiful yellow and orange horizon.

Our nighttime travel took us across Nebraska with the sun rising in Colorado.

As we entered Denver at daylight, we found a cloudy overcast sky with light rain at times.

Due to a derailment in the Rocky Mountains, our train is being diverted from Denver, Colorado through Wyoming to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Unfortunately, we will not be going though the Rocky Mountains and the Glenwood Canyon.

We are seeing color change as the miles pass by, snow is on the ground in some areas, the sun is trying to peak out of the cloud cover. We are following Highway I80 so we are seeing the route that was used before Amtrak went through the Rocky Mountains.

Buffalo, deer, cattle, oil seem to be the livelihood of this dessert area. Miles and Miles of open plains with snow fences adjacent to the train tracks. I can only imagine the amount of snow in the winter.

We have followed Interstate 80 through Wyoming watching the long haul truckers going through the dessert. The sky became cloudy with some sunshine which brought up the outside temperature.

I noticed cattle being moved by someone on a 4-wheeler.

As we crossed into Utah, the sun set over the plains providing us with a yellow and orange sky.

Since we didn’t go through the Rockys, we got into Salt Lake City early so we had a five hour layover.

The sky was clear in the temps cool, probably in the 40’s.

Oct. 16, 2009

Welcome Home Spc. Ross Morrison, U.S. Army

Spc. Morrison is returning from his second depolyment in Iraq. He will be flying in to his bride (which he thinks HE is suprising!!!) on Friday night at 7:00 PM

We will rally at Terminal E at 6:30 PM and greet Spc. Morrison!

Ross has been in the Army for 5 years, he is with the Stryker Brigade / Infantry. His unit returned to their home base in Alaska.

Ross and his wife Monica got married prior to his deployment so these kids are still honeymooning!!!!

Let's give this brave soldier a welcome he won't forget!

Volunteers:

We have a welcome home for a 27 year Veteran and home town Hero! Please join us in welcoming home CWO Chris Prinzivelli.

October. 24, 2009
Rally Time: 4:15
KSU: 4:45 PM.

Contact: Maria Hyland 610-327-2916 with any questions

Chris' family will be taking him to dinner at Applebee's.

We'll meet him there and surprise and escort him to his Welcome Home Party at his home in Boyertown.

Rally Point: Walmart Parking Lot, Rt 100 N and Shoemaker Road, Pottstown, PA

Bio written by Chris’ wife, Joan:

My husband's name is Chris Prinzivalli. He's 44 years-o l d and grew up in Norristown, PA.

He joined the U.S. Army reserves right out of high school at age 17. After a few years in the reserves, he switched to the PA Army National Guard on a full - time basis, and has been in ever since, for the last 27 years. The job he was slotted for was a dual-status job, meaning he had to hold one job to keep the other.

He holds one job during the regular week (Monday-Friday) as the Supervisor of the "Federal Technicians" or "mechanics. He worked on the floor as a Federal Technician for many years, gaining a lot of hands-on experience before being promoted to Shop Supervisor. His garage is on the compound with the Armory on Belvoir Road in Plymouth Meeting, PA. He is responsible for overseeing the maintenance on all of his uni t 's l arge pieces of equipme n t a n d Army vehic l es such as t he HMMWV - High Mobi l i t y Mu l t i-purpose Whee l ed Vehic l e a n d t he n ew "S t ryker". The eigh t -whee l ed S t ryker is t he firs t n ew mi l i t ary vehic l e t o e n t er service i n t o t he U n i t ed S t a t es Army si n ce t he Abrams t a n k i n t he 1980s, a n d is a high- t ech comba t vehic l e.

The seco n d par t of t he dua l -s t a t us job is his "Na t io n a l Guard" job, which co n sis t s of a t t e n di n g dri l l s o n e weeke n d a mo n t h, A n n ua l t rai n i n g t hree weeks a year, a n d severa l schoo l s duri n g t he year. He basica l l y does t he same t hi n g t he n as he does duri n g t he week wi t h t he excep t io n of t he ex t ra i n fa n t ry t rai n i n g.

I n 2004, as a n E-7 (Sergea n t Firs t C l ass) Chris app l ied for a n d was accep t ed i n t o Warra n t Office Schoo l i n F t. Rucker, A l abama. He gradua t ed a n d became a Warra n t Officer (WO1). Af t er a few years he was promo t ed t o his curre n t ra n k, WO2, a n d t his comi n g fa l l he wi l l be a t t e n di n g schoo l i n Aberdee n, MD, t o fu l fi l l t he pre-requisi t e for adva n ceme n t t o WO3.

Chris is par t of t he 56 t h S t ryker Brigade, which is t he o n l y S t ryker Brigade i n t he Na t io n a l Guard (mos t are wi t h t he Ac t ive Du t y "Regu l ar" Army. His u n i t is ca l l ed H-HHC (Headquar t ers-Headquar t ers Compa n y) 1-111 t h I n fa n t ry u n i t, 56 t h S t ryker Brigade.

The firs t par t of his job keeps him i n P l ymou t h Mee t i n g; t he seco n d par t of his job is t he o n e t ha t makes him "dep l oyab l e".

They were p l aced o n ac t ive du t y orders t o go t o Camp Taji, Iraq, abou t a year ago. They t rai n ed i n Louisia n a for t hree mo n t hs, t he n dep l oyed t o Iraq for t he n ex t n i n e. They are due home approxima t e l y t he seco n d week of Sep t ember.

Before t ha t, Chris was dep l oyed t o Bos n ia for a year i n 2002, as par t of t he peace-keepi n g missio n.

Chris has n o p l a n s t o re t ire a n y t ime soo n.

He's married t o me (Joa n ) si n ce May 0f 2005. We have t hree chi l dre n : age 17, a Se n ior a t Boyer t ow n Se n ior High, age 16, a Sophomore a t Boyer t ow n Se n ior High, a n d a n 8 t h-grader a t Boyer t ow n Ju n ior High Wes t.

We've l ived i n Boyer t ow n for five years. We love it, pl a n t o s t ay here, a n d co n sider i t home.

Oct., 26, 2009
Dear Friends, Family, Volunteers, and Supporters of the Sister Soldier Project:

It is exciting to be able to write you each month and always have some “new news” to share. This is a continuing testament to your efforts and support of the Project. The past 30 days have especially rewarding.

The Society of Black Engineers and Scientists, Black Faculty and Staff, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, successfully packed and shipped 60 Hair Care Packages to the Sister Soldiers, Saturday, October 17, and raised enough extra postage funds to cover an additional 25 future care package shipments. This is the second consecutive year that a major Sister Soldier Packing Party has been hosted by Cal Poly organizations.

Our sponsor for this Packing Party, Luster Products' Pink Brand, continued their generous support of our efforts by providing Relaxer Kits, Shampoo, RevitaLex Conditioner, Oil Moisturizer, two different Styling Gels, and Conditioning Hairdress for each soldier. As always, we are most thankful to the entire Luster Products team.

The Sisters’ needs for our hair care products is so strong, we still have 50 Soldiers on a waiting list to receive packages. Dr. Miracles has agreed to assist us by providing products to meet these requirements. However, we still need to raise funds to ship the packages at $10.35 each, so please lend your support as you are able.

It is now even easier for you to support a Sister Soldier online—via product purchases of their most requested hair care brands or donations for postage via Credit Card or Pay Pal options. A Sister Soldier who wanted to “Pay it Forward” recommended the online postage donation idea. Very cool! Just log onto www.sistersoldierproject.com and go to the Shop Page.

I visited our nation’s capital on September 24th, to gratefully accept the 2009 Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Braintrust Award, on behalf of the Sister Soldier Project, and all of you whose efforts have been so crucial to its success.

The Awards were given during a lovely reception at the Grand Hyatt, Washington D.C. Prior to the presentation itself, I sat with the Hon. Corrine Brown (D-FL), the Co Chairperson of the CBC Veterans Braintrust. I was also privileged to have a private meeting with Hon. Lois Capps, (D-CA) my district Congressperson, and briefly met several other Congressmen and Congresswomen.

This provided me the opportunity to “lobby” on behalf of two issues of great interest to the Project. First, the need to reduce the cost to ship care packages to Soldiers on active duty at APO addresses. There is already a Congressional Bill in Committee to deal with this issue (the “Supply Our Soldiers” Act); hopefully there will be a speedy passage of the bill. Second, taking steps to ensure better distribution of the critical ethnic hair care products to the Military PX shelves themselves. The military is aware of this problem and Congressional Legislative Staff is “on the case” with the appropriate Pentagon officials.

A special heartfelt thank you and shout-out to Gary Gardner, President of Namasté Laboratories who generously underwrote the expenses of this most “Excellent Adventure to Washington.”

The details of several future Packing Parties are beginning to fall into place:

December, 2009, Girl Scouts Troops and Church groups in Greensboro, NC

April 17, 2010 Sistahs Bookclubbing, Shreveport, LA, an encore performance

April, 2010 Sororities at Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD

Read letters from the Sister Soldiers

www.sistersoldierproject.com

SHOP FOR A SISTER SOLDIER TODAY!

All the best,
Myraline

From: Judi D
Subject: Fw: Just Stay
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Just Stay

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.

'Your son is here,' she said to the old man.

She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.

Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent.

He reached out his hand.

The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.

All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength

Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.

He refused.

Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.

Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse.. While she did what she had to do, he waited.

Finally, she returned.

She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.

'Who was that man?' he asked.

The nurse was startled,

'He was your father,' she answered.

'No, he wasn't,' the Marine replied.

'I never saw him before in my life.'

'Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?'

'I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here.

When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.'

The next time someone needs you... just be there. Stay.

**************

WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.

WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.

To: All
Date: Nov. 11, 2009

I received another beautiful letter from President Obama today. He is positive and standing strong. It is beyond politics for those of us who follow Christ. We must continue to pray for him and his advisors, trusting God to give them the wisdom needed to address the issues facing us.

According to the Word of God, "...there is no government in place that He did not allow..." We must also pray for the protection of his loved ones as he leads our Nation. The Scripture he mentioned was Romans 5(4-5), which is right on and shows us where his head is at... H O P E....:)

Pray unceasingly for our Troops!

Yours in Christ,
florence

Hey Sister,

I thank God that all is going well for you and your project. I received another beautiful letter from President Obama today, which was encouraging. I am trusting God go bless all that you put your hands to, and I will send this to Ron to be posted.

Stay strong and encouraged!

Yours in Christ,
florence
___________________________

Please encourage our Troops by writing a "Note of Appreciation," click on "Heart2Heart" in the Side Menu and start typing. We can never say "Thank You" enough!......God Bless!

On Mon, 11/16/09, Myraline wrote:

Dear Sister Soldiers Family, Friends, Hosts, Posse Members, Volunteers, and Supporters:

During October the Project packed and shipped the Sisters 85 Hair Care Packages.

In addition to the Cal Poly Packing Party, we also assisted the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Packing Party at Florida A & M University, Tallahassee by providing 20 Soldiers’ names plus products. We hope to ship 50 more hair care packages in the next few weeks. Dr. Miracles has already shipped us a quantity of their hair care products, now we need your support to provide postage money to get more of the "good stuff" out of my garage and on its way to the Middle East.

Next up for the Sister Soldier Project is a Greensboro, NC Packing Party. Dudley Products is headquartered near there and will sponsor for the event, providing hair care products for the soldiers. On December 5, 2009 Bethel AME of Greensboro will co-host a Sister Soldier Packing Party with Girl Scout Troop 40265. The Bethel AME Church has committed to a quarterly packing party beginning with 50 packages, then increasing each quarter culminating in December 2010 with a shipment of 200 care packages. Each quarter other local organizations will be added to eventually create a citywide event! I get teary just thinking about it.

I appreciate and love equally all the Sister Soldier Project’s Posse Members, Volunteers, Hosts and Sponsors, but ya gotta love the way the Southerners roll. Remember Shreveport!

Speaking of “the South” how about another Southern California Packing Party? Are there any volunteers to host an event? A Repeat? Anyone?

I would also be happy to speak before any affiliated organization of yours, book club, church, Kiwanis, Rotary, Girl Scout Troup, School, College, University, American Legion Hall, etc. Each time I address such a group, the Project recruits new people who contribute in some manner to our efforts.

Please check out the updated web site at www.sistersoldierproject.com complete with the latest Packing Party Pictures.

Also view us on the Rosies in Action site http://www.rosiesworkwear.com/blog/ “rocking out” at last month’s Cal Poly Packing Party.

• Saturday, December 5, 2009, Bethel AME Church in Greensboro, NC, 50 Packages
• Saturday, April 17, 2010, Sistahs Book Clubbing, Shreveport, LA, 150 Packages
• Date TBD, April, 2010, Sororities at Morgan State University, Rite Aid Baltimore, MD Number of Packages TBD
• Date TBD, April 2010, Bethel AME Church in Greensboro, NC, 100 Packages
• Friday, August 6, 2010, Sims Family Reunion, Aberdeen, MS., 200 Packages
• Date TBD, August 2010, Bethel AME Church in Greensboro, NC, 150 Packages
• Saturday, October 16, 2010, Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo Number of Packages TBD
• Date TBD, December 2010, Bethel AME Church in Greensboro, NC, 200 Packages

Special Thanks to

• Jean W
• Helen P
• J.Barbieri and family
• Anna U
• Jonni B
• Bob and Constance S
• Alice P

Go see Chris Rock’s Good Hair, now playing at a theatre near you.

Read letters from the Sister Soldiers
www.sistersoldierproject.com

SHOP FOR A SISTER SOLDIER TODAY!

To: All

This is the latest entry from Joe, as he travels during his down-time, if there is such a thing.......:) We must continue to pray for him as he seeks to fulfill God's "purpose" for his life. As you may recall, Joe is the Soldier who wrote the letter that started my Ministry to our Troops in 2004. God is opening amazing doors for him and I am proud to say that I know and love him.

Yours in Christ,
florence

---------------

On Sun, 11/29/09, Roche, Joseph A SSG RES wrote:
To: roseofsharon1979@yahoo.com

Ms Duckett,

Last spring when I was on leave from being deployed in the Persian Gulf, I wrote to you from Cape Town, South Africa. During those two amazing weeks in Cape Town, one of the most meaningful experiences I had was visiting the prison cell that held Nelson Mandela on Robben Island for 18 years as a political prisoner. It was a gut-wrenching experience to see the extent of human error and wrong-doing as occurred under Apartheid.

Since I returned to the States after the deployment, I have been traveling all over the country. First I rode Amtrak trains using rail passes to go over 14,000 miles, crossing the country four times. I spent weeks hiking the Grand Canyon, Glacier National Park, around the Great Salt Lake, in Louisiana’s swamps, Florida’s everglades, and elsewhere. I crossed into Canada and Mexico a few times. I also flew to several places, including Hawaii. Greyhound buses took me to several states, and I also drove my car up and down the coast, covering much of the eastern third of the country. It has been a magnificent way to re-connect with our country.

Being a soldier takes you not just physically far away, but emotionally, spiritually and psychologically too. When I came back, I could have just stayed in one place and been completely lazy. There would have been no repercussions. However, I thought of Mandela and the decades he lost of his life. I thought of those soldiers of ours who either didn’t return alive, or who have had their lives changed by injuries. I decided that rather than take time off, I would travel. But the journey has often been more profound than not.

In Atlanta I visited the Martin Luther King Center. It was an extraordinary experience. When I left there, I realized that King had been a soldier for freedom, and that he had paid the ultimate sacrifice. His was a time when our whole society seemed against him and his people, so how could he find inspiration to serve in combat overseas? Yet, he did not surrender. Instead, it struck me that like Mandela who never served in a military, King too had experienced and sacrificed as any of us soldiers do.

Over the months I also visited several presidential museums. Ronald Reagan’s was the most inspiring. He too had not been a soldier in combat, yet his dedication to freedom and his great vision to lead our country out of some of its darkest moments not only served to protect and strengthen our nation, but to liberate tens of millions of people from the tyranny of communism. It struck me that Reagan had been a soldier for freedom.

This was interesting for me to see because as soldiers, we often think of ourselves as something different from the rest of the civilian world. Yet, there are many people out there who have shown dedication and sacrifice for freedom on scales that even us soldiers have never had to face.

In Hawaii I went to Pearl Harbor and the sight of the final resting place of the USS Arizona and the 1,177 men who died inside her during the attack. Like the morning of September 11th, 2001, those sailors, Marines, airmen and others on Hawaii who died in the Japanese attack in 1941 had no idea that war was upon them, no warning of attack, no chance. Yet their sacrifices were of high honor because they all stood for defending our country, and the victims of 9/11 were innocent civilians caught in a supreme act of hateful terror.

I was seeing the book ends of some story in all this. What began as a soldier for me continues today as I return to Washington, D.C. and see so many people on all sides of the political spectrum fighting for their issues. Freedom and the American Experiment are what this is all about. You too are a soldier. Perhaps I should have realized this sooner, but it helped to travel, to see the paths of the great explorers of the American frontier out West, to see the monuments to those who have tried and given so much for freedom. Interestingly, it began this year in South Africa because of being deployed by the US Army again. Strange how things happen sometimes.

I hope all is well w/ you and your family.

Joe

From: Roche, Joseph A SSG RES
Subject: Something To Share
To: roseofsharon
Date: Monday, December 14, 2009

Ms. Duckett,

I have something to share with you. When I went to Cape Town, South Africa, while on leave from being deployed by the Army in the Persian Gulf, I met Clint Eastwood. He was in Cape Town for the filming of the movie just released, called Invictus. Meeting him was fascinating, and he was so nice and eager to hear good news about our missions and how our soldiers are doing.

How we met was just by chance. There were huge crowds wherever he was. During the couple weeks I was there, I had seen their filming set up several times in different places. Always people were massing to watch and catch a glimpse of him, as well as Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman and the other Hollywood people there. At one session, I walked up and saw Mr. Eastwood from a distance. I was quite excited because of all the people in Hollywood, as a soldier I think Clint Eastwood is probably the most admired. John Wayne and those like him have passed away. Mr. Eastwood is right up there at the top. Certainly, my fellow soldiers, my commanders, are huge fans of his.

One of his security personnel started talking to me, noticed my accent, and asked me what I was doing in South Africa. I told her, and quickly she told another and then that person told Mr. Eastwood. Amazingly, with perhaps thousands of people standing around in awe at Mr. Eastwood, he asked his security to invite me over if I would like. Of course I accepted.

You’ll be very glad to know that Mr. Eastwood was extremely welcoming, introducing me to everyone around him, and very eager to know how I was doing. He joked with me that for me to be in South Africa on leave, I might be trying to get away from the Army. He was most eager, however, to hear how we are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan. His concern was very evident. He wanted to know if we are getting the right support and leadership, and how things look to us soldiers on the ground.

I’ve met many people who have a lot of responsibility and are quite distracted away from current events or the war. Mr. Eastwood, however, struck me powerfully as being very earnest to know we were getting the right support and leadership, and that we were feeling motivated to continue our missions. This meant a lot to me, and to my fellow soldiers back in the Persian Gulf, with whom I shared my conversation with Mr. Eastwood.

I asked him about the movie he was making. It seemed poignant, and after watching it this weekend, I see what he meant. Invictus is a true story that shares a particularly insightful interest Nelson Mandela had when he became president of South Africa. It is a shocking and brilliant story. I was very moved by it, and it was most enjoyable for me because of the scenes of Cape Town. I had been to many of the places in the movie when I was on leave.

There is one thing I want to tell you that isn’t explained in the movie. I went to Robben Island, toured the prison where Mandela had been held, saw the slave labor they were made to do, and spent time in his small cell, 46664. If you’ll recall, I wrote to you about that last spring. One of the things I learned was that all the political prisoners from there have eye trouble now. This is because the rocks they had to break and chisel away on for hours every day in the quarry are very bright and reflect sunlight quite harshly. I saw this. It was hard to stare at. Well, as prisoners, they had no eye protection, and now they suffer from that. That is why Mandela needs to wear sunglasses and needed to face away from the sun shining into his office. It was also very cold on the island, and the prisoners suffered greatly from this, having little to cover themselves with.

There are many things about South Africa that surprised me. The poverty and residual suffering from Apartheid is so extreme, it struck me as worse than much of what I saw in the Middle East. Yet there is no violent hatred resulting in war and terrorism. Why? South Africa’s neighbors like Zimbabwe have completely collapsed in vengeful self-destruction, yet South Africa is at peace. It confounds me.

One friend of mine who lives there told me that all of this is now what makes South Africa so special, so amazing. I think I’m starting to understand. We Americans, I’m afraid, have become overly obsessed with the notion of equality. There is nothing equal in life; everything is unique and will grow and manifest differently. South Africans recognize this, and are moving on. I so admire this in them.

I still can’t get over the irony that while fellow Americans are often fond of condemning our missions in the War on Terror, I had a former communist political prisoner who had been jailed for years alongside Mandela tell me that what the US military is doing is righteous and noble, and that even such errors as happened at Abu Ghraib are not an indictment of us. This is because they were aberrations, and because terrorists are not covered by the Geneva Conventions according to the Geneva Conventions themselves, whereas the crimes under Apartheid were fully sanctioned by the state and affirmed by the law back then. I wrote to you about this in my letter last spring.

There is something unique and special about South Africa’s story. I was profoundly moved by visiting there while on leave from the Persian Gulf. It was poignant to return from there to combat missions in the Persian Gulf. I believe Clint Eastwood well captures this unusual and inspiring side of South Africa’s history in this movie.

Joe

To: All

The following is in response to Joe's e-mail about Clint Eastwood. Joe has touched so many people's lives through his writings and his commitment to what is fair and just! Please continue to pray for Joe as he walks through the doors God is opening for him.

Yours in Christ,
florence
****************

To: roseofsharon
Date: Monday, December 14, 2009

Dear Flo,

You have no idea how important it was for me to read this letter from Joe not only about South Africa but about talking with Clint Eastwood... he has struck me as a man with a conscious.

Joe's letters always move me in ways I cannot fully describe.. thank you so much for sharing this with me.

I pray for his safety daily as I do for the rest of our troops... but what especially impressed me was South Africas understanding that all things are not equal and accepts that this is the way life is... just as life is not fair... we cannot expect either concept... but must always remain faithful and hopeful that we are decent caring honorable people. Our eyes must averted from finding fault to gratitude. Perhaps I am idealist... but I do believe that each of us has the responsibility to create harmony not discord.

Sure it's a attitude adjustment... but if each of us looks within... and not to the outer world of things we can make a difference. We can find hope in every path we take.

Many blessings to you dear Florence for including me in your life. today you were my guardian angel distracting me from my missing my Joe. And reminding me of the bigger picture in life.

God Bless you...

Yours In Christ
Barbara

Dear Sister Soldiers Family, Friends, Hosts, Posse Members, Volunteers, and Supporters:

This is the year end 2009 Sister Soldier Project Newsletter, so it’s appropriate to recap all the things the Project has to be thankful for this year and as usual, you’re at the top of the list. Without you, none of the following accomplishments and milestones could have been reached.

During this year alone, the Project packed and shipped over a thousand hair care packages to our Sisters abroad. Given the number of Sisters who specifically mention in their thank-you notes, they share the hair goodies with other Sisters in their troops or serving at their bases, I think it’s safe to say we have provided an essential service to several thousand of these women far from home. Congratulations!

In December we held “back to back” Packing Parties.

The first was in Greensboro, NC, Saturday, Dec 5th, hosted by the Bethel AME Church of Greensboro and Girl Scout Troop 40265. We shipped hair care packages to 50 soldiers, with products supplied by Dudley Beauty Corp, which is located “next door” in High Point, NC. Their ethnic hair care brand, “Dudley ’s Q,” is internationally known. The company was featured in Chris Rock’s DocuComedy film “Good Hair.”

Check out the link to the Dec 7th front page coverage of the event in the Greensboro News & Record http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/12/06/article/helping_sister_soldiers. You will not be able to tell from the link, but we received front page, above and below the fold coverage with two pictures.

Also check out Greensboro News TV 14 http://news14.com/charlotte-news-104-content/local_news/618543/group-creates-care-packages-for-sister-soldier-project

Since the Greensboro folks intend their Packing Party to be a quarterly event, culminating in a 200 box blowout December, 2010, I can’t imagine what the local media coverage will be for that one!

Earlier that week, I did a lengthy remote interview with Busta Brown WQMG 97.1 which was broadcast in sections throughout an entire hour of some pretty smooth R&B standards, great fun. The best part was listening to Busta try and pronounce my name correctly for a full hour. It was hysterical and will soon be posted on our site, for your listening pleasure.

We held our last Packing Party of the year Thursday, December 10.

First, I stopped at St. Eugene’s School, spoke briefly before the assembled kids (all dressed in their school uniforms) and picked up boxes of toiletry items and some of the cutest, most heart-warming notes and drawings for the Sister Soldiers, all created by these children.

Then it was off to Toyota Motor Sales. The African American Collaborative group hosted the packing event at Toyota’s American headquarters building in LA. We shipped 100 hair care packages, complete with generous hair care product donations from Organic Root Stimulator and skin care products from Carol’s Daughter. The Toyota event logistics were completed without a hitch and, for the first time, we didn’t need to ferry the boxes to a local post office--- Toyota ships directly for their in-house distribution center. (Do I love big-time corporate America!) This was the first time that we were able to send personalized notes to each soldier thanks to the AAC’s outreach to students who wrote to each soldier on the list of 100. The oversized envelopes with the Soldier’s name were the last thing we added to the package. Imagine the faces when the soldiers open the packages.

Special thanks to: Gail Herring and Angelina Moore @ Toyota, plus author Pamela Samuels Young for her autographed books. A special nod to Packing Party Posse Members, Donna Olsen and Rhonda Scott, for attending the most Sister Soldier Packing Parties.

In other exciting news, Hair2Toe Beauty forum, http://www.hair2toebeauty.com/ the national forum for DYI (do-it-yourself) black hair care, recently learned about the Project and has installed on its site, as well as 4 other major DIY black hair care forums, a link in which anyone can donate postage dollars to the Sister Soldier Project and sponsor boxes to any number of Sisters; 100% of any such contributions go directly to the Project.

In addition to all the people and organizations noted above, a special thank you this month to:

J.Barbieri for donating a portion of her annual bonus to the Project for shipments of Dr Miracle’s to the Sisters who have been waiting patiently for their favorite products. And to H. Jordan, M. Jamison, and P. Gordon who provided postage money for November and December shipments. We pack almost every week from my home base thanks to the help of my local Packing Party Posse, Yvonne, Helen, Eileen and of course Joe.

We still need your help for postage between the Packing Parties. We always have a list of soldiers waiting to receive a hair care package.

Coming Packing Party attractions already set for 2010:

Monday, March 15th, Sororities at Morgan State University, MD. 200 care packages, product sponsor—Organic Root Stimulator

Saturday, April 3rd, Bethel AME Church and St Matthews United Methodist Church, Greensboro, NC.100 packages

Saturday, April 17th, Sistahs Book Clubbing, Shreveport, LA, 150 packages, product sponsor — Dr. Miracle’s

Friday, August 6th, Sims Family Reunion, Aberdeen, MS, 200 packages

Saturday, August 7th, Bethel AME Church, Greensboro, NC, 150 packages

Saturday, Oct 16th, Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 70 Packages

December 2010, date TBD, Bethel AME Church, Greensboro, NC, 200 packages

To all involved in the Sister Soldier Project, I wish each and every one, the very best wishes this holiday season for Joy in your Heart, and Peace in your World.

Myraline

Sister Soldier Project, LLC
Post Office Box 1311
Grover Beach, CA 93483
www.sistersoldierproject.com

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