Letter: ESA brings new meaning to care package for man

(Editor's note: The following letter was received by Dorothy Miller of ESA, who wants to share the letter with our readers.)

To Mrs. Dorothy Miller and the ESA:

I would like to thank you for sending me the wonderful care package. My mother, Debbie Campbell, told me a month or so ago that Mrs. Miller had asked her for my address. When my mom told me this, I thought," Ok, that's nice." I figured if I got something great and if I don't, that's fine, too. I had this attitude because some people had previously never received anything from them.

I went to pick up my mail from the post office and they gave me a big KC HiLiTES box. Knowing that my mom had shipped stuff to me from them I thought it was from her. Then I looked at the address label on the box. It read, "ESA, Ms. Dorothy Miller." As I opened the box, the first thing I saw was a couple of cards. My favorite part of this entire package was the homemade cards by the kids. I was amazed and so thankful for this package, I can't even tell you. For the first time since mid-October, I was truly happy for a little bit. Sure I smile and laugh, but with this being my first Thanksgiving and Christmas away from my family, it has been a hard time.

I enlisted in the Navy Aug. 20, 2008. I wasn't ready to leave my family and friends yet so I postponed the date I would ship to Great Lakes, Ill. for boot camp until March 2. In October of 2008 I started dating this wonderful young lady by the name of Jacque. Now she is my fiancée and we are getting married May 29. I couldn't be happier.

I graduated boot camp April 25 and then shipped to Meridian, Miss. for my "A" school training in my specialist position. I am an RP (Religious Program Specialist). While on shore duty, which I am now, I am the assistant to the chaplain, setting up phone calls, programs, counseling and such. While overseas if I am stationed with the Marines, I will do the same, but I have an added task of protecting the chaplain. I am essentially his bodyguard, carrying a weapon at all times. I have not gone overseas as of yet and hopefully, God wiling, I will not be going over to Afghanistan.

On Oct. 9 I was finally able to go home for the first time in seven months to see family and friends. My girlfriend picked me up from the airport. We spent half of a week with her parents in Kingman, half of a week in Phoenix and then we made our trek across the USA to my next duty station at the Marine Corps Air Station in Georgia.

My main purpose in writing this letter was to thank you for the wonderful care package. The term care package has a whole new meaning to me since receiving one. Before it was a package to help the service member be taken care of, but now I understand it as a gift from people who care. In this world of naysayers and people against the military and people in it, it is a wonderful feeling to know that there are Americans that still care.

Please tell everyone who had a part in this package that I said thank you. It comes from the deepest of my heart and gratitude. I will forever remember this package and the people who sent it to me. I will especially be keeping the kids' homemade cards forever. Thank you, I can't say it enough.

Sincerely,

RPSN Adam Campbell

United States Navy