Nick June 09 Update

(Nick at base of stairs)

Nick sends his many thanks to all those who have sent him care packages the past few months. It's been interesting to see when they show up. One we sent 30 days ago and one showed up in 11 days... as Nick says, "You do the math." Ha! At least they made it to him and the rest of the troops! He sends thank yous to the Vander Wells, Nowyszs, and Martins for all the cool treats and reading materials... he says they really help pass the time and he really appreciates folks the don't even know him sending him things. "Thanks a million!!" was sent out many times for us to pass along to all of you.

The cooling ties haven't shown up yet that we've heard, we hope any day now as its getting more miserable there daily, but thanks to all of you who sent a donation for that too (Judy, Mikey, Claire and all those I don't know about!). Jim's sister, Jan, sent them 50 pairs of Mechanix gloves so their hands won't blister when they touch the aircraft - so that was pretty darn special! All in all, we've heard from his wife Kim (expecting baby #4 in July!) that the troops over there are impressed with how much support Nick gets from his friends and family and how much that helps the moral of everyone over there... so we can't thank all of you enough for what you've done. It may not seem like a lot, but it REALLY, REALLY IS!!

That said, he has had another change of email and moto mail (the one that prints and gets handed to him) They are:

EMAIL: Nicholas.Turner@afg.usmc.mil

Motomail: hmh362.omb@afg.usmc.mil

Well this deployment is nearly completed and we're all SO grateful! Notice came that we should send our last care package box this next week, as another transition will happen soon. Details are quiet for obvious reasons, but this tour is on it's final turn. Yeah!! Motomail and emails are still encouraged, however, so keep'em coming!

Kim sent out some articles about Nick's unit that are pretty interesting...(from Kim's blog):

Theodore's World Blog- "Ugly Angels Deploy from Iraq to Afghanistan This has some neat pics I hadn't seen yet. And I swear the Marine at the base of the steps boarding the plane looks like Nick... but that could be wishful thinking?? (i.e. It IS NICK! pic at top of page) I think he has Sikorsky wings on his helmet...I'll find out if it really is him.
Spreading Their Wings: "Ugly Angels" Deploy From Iraq to Afghanistan

Article on Camp Bastion: Camp Leatherneck*This is just an article on the Base that they are at, and the areas surrounding it. It doesn't reference the Ugly Angels specifically. Just a little FYI on Afghanistan. Camp Leatherneck is a part of Camp Bastion... I believe it's the nickname of the base where the Marines are located.**The statistics/facts are a little uncomfortable to read in this article... FYI.


A fellow spouse sent this photo out. Her father-in-law saw this picture from the Wall Street Journal (I believe). I forwarded this on to Nick for confirmation, because I wasn't sure if there were other 53's out there. He confirmed it! It's the Ugly Angels flying a mission in the Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

Thanks, again, for your support, care packages, letters and prayers!