I wanted to write and personally thank you all at The Luminary for the newspapers that have been sent out to me every week. In a foreign place such as this its nice to receive a little something like a newspaper, because in a way it makes you feel less disconnected from the people and places and goings on back home. I also would like to thank the Muncy VFW while im on a public forum here and hopefully someone from there will read it, the wonderful people at that post sent me a care package so big I literally needed a vehicle to get it from the mailroom to where I live.

Thank you to all the people who take time out of their busy lives to do something special for those that serve their country, I speak on my own behalf but im sure everyone else agrees, we appreciate every little thing that is done to support us. It makes the time spent here a little more comforting.

On a side note, I’ve been able to catch some of the Little League World Series the past couple of days and its been nice to see some views from back home. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble I’d like to thank my four parents, My Mom and Stepfather Denise Gray and JR Stanley and my Dad and Stepmother Kevin and Lauren Balliet as well as my wife Katy and my bud Jamie Shoemaker, thank you all for all the help you guys have given me while I’ve been gone. I’ll be home and back to being a pain soon!

Sincerely,

SPC Zachary G. Balliet

B Co 628 ASB, Tallil, Iraq