This Random Little Girl's Gift Got Him Through Deployment

2015-09-04T15:08:28-04:00

"This is Chester. When I was in Afghanistan I got a care package from one of those 'Adopt a Soldier' programs that lets families send care packages to service men and women who are deployed overseas. Anyway, I got this care package, and it came with the usual stuff: Baby wipes, crackers, peanut butter, the Dad threw in a pack of cigarettes, and there was some jerky. But there was also a little beanie baby gold fish and a hand written note from a 7 year old girl that said 'Dear Soldier, (I wasn't even mad) I hope you are doing well. I'm sorry you have to miss thanksgiving with your family. This is my friend Chester. He keeps me safe from monsters, but I think you need him more than I do. I hope he keeps you safe from the monsters you're fighting. Take good care of him for me.' You bet your ass that little fish was in my pocket every time I went on patrol."

Do you have any similar experiences?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 4 at 2015 3:12 PM

2015-09-04T15:12:11-04:00

Squidward was my protector for OIF-I. My youngest gave me his favorite toy. He could talk when you squeezed him so when we crossed the berm he got on the net and stated "I...Have Arrived." Squidward then continued his air assault missions all over central Iraq going from bird to bird to keep pilots safe. He survived the mission, was thoroughly decontaminated, and made it home safely. He has since retired from service and now spends his leisure time in my Iraq box, sharing stories with Darth Vader who joined him in subsequent follow on missions in 2007/2008.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 4 at 2015 3:14 PM

2015-09-04T15:14:38-04:00

What a great story! I wonder if the writer ever contacted the young girl that gave him Chester.