RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

When you get lots of care packages from home, you have lots of boxes sitting around. Being in Europe our apartment didn't come with a lot of storage. So I upcycled some boxes, wrapped 'em up, and used them as storage.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Dozens of Soldiers from the 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) joined members of veteran services organizations to honor the families of fallen heroes during the 6th Annual Operation: Love Letters event conducted March 24, 2018, at St. John Vianney Catholic School in Orlando.

Hosted by the Orlando Survivor Outreach Services, a U.S. Army community support program dedicated to helping families cope with grief from losing loved ones who have served their country. Operation: Love Letters provides a forum of fellowship for family members to share their memories of the deceased through food, games, music, arts and crafts. Conceived in Orlando in 2013, this local activity has transformed into a U.S. Army sponsored flagship program for the entire nation with international reach.

The event commenced with full military honors as the 143d ESC’s color guard and the Patriot Riders Guard led the opening ceremony in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled Banner. The color guard then set up a Fallen Comrade table and conducted a “13 Folds” ceremony to honor all American service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Miles Espaillat, the youngest of three sons of Maj. Gen. Francisco Espaillat, lit the candle on the Fallen Comrade Table. Espaillat’s father served as the commanding general of the 143d ESC from 2014-2016. He died of a heart attack April 7, 2017, while serving as general officer for the Office of the Chief of the Army Reserve.

After the opening ceremony, the family members shared their most cherished memories of their son, daughter, parent or spouse. Some brought framed photos while others baked their loved ones’ favorite dessert. The 143d ESC Soldiers joined several family members in creating crafts and writing love letters.

Representatives from the USO, Veterans Affairs, Operation Military Matters and the Orlando Vet Center also attended the festivities to share the many free resources such as grief counseling, care packages, and financial assistance tailored to families coping with the loss of a loved one.

Operation: Love Letters concluded with its most cherished tradition as Soldiers, families and volunteers gathered at the school’s courtyard to release dozens of balloons with messages addressed to their fallen heroes.

Photo and Sgt. John L. Carkeet IV, 143d ESC

U.S. Marines assigned to 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), sort mail in the hanger bay of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) after a resupply at sea, July 20, 2013. The ship received 136 pallets of mail, the largest shipment on this deployment. The 26th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group serving as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious operations across the full range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher Q. Stone, 26th MEU Combat Camera/Released)

College of DuPage President Dr. Ann Rondeau and COD Cares volunteers packed care packages for deployed military personnel during a recent visit to Operation Support Our Troops -America in Lisle. About a dozen COD Action Heroes spent the morning packing much-needed comfort items to be sent to service members.

White Lick Elementary and West Middle School students gathered in Brownsburg, Indiana to pack 200 Christmas care package stockings for US soldiers serving overseas.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

post-icing

College of DuPage President Dr. Ann Rondeau and COD Cares volunteers packed care packages for deployed military personnel during a recent visit to Operation Support Our Troops -America in Lisle. About a dozen COD Action Heroes spent the morning packing much-needed comfort items to be sent to service members.

College of DuPage President Dr. Ann Rondeau and COD Cares volunteers packed care packages for deployed military personnel during a recent visit to Operation Support Our Troops -America in Lisle. About a dozen COD Action Heroes spent the morning packing much-needed comfort items to be sent to service members.

College of DuPage President Dr. Ann Rondeau and COD Cares volunteers packed care packages for deployed military personnel during a recent visit to Operation Support Our Troops -America in Lisle. About a dozen COD Action Heroes spent the morning packing much-needed comfort items to be sent to service members.

best description ever, from a surprise care package from helen!

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

The Department of Natural Sciences & Mathematics hosted an event for MLK Jr. Week of Service. Faculty, staff, & students all helped assemble care packages for the homeless. The Sisters of Charity founded and run the Shelter of Hope in Leavenworth. The care packages will be sent there.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

College of DuPage President Dr. Ann Rondeau and COD Cares volunteers packed care packages for deployed military personnel during a recent visit to Operation Support Our Troops -America in Lisle. About a dozen COD Action Heroes spent the morning packing much-needed comfort items to be sent to service members.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

College of DuPage President Dr. Ann Rondeau and COD Cares volunteers packed care packages for deployed military personnel during a recent visit to Operation Support Our Troops -America in Lisle. About a dozen COD Action Heroes spent the morning packing much-needed comfort items to be sent to service members.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

White Lick Elementary and West Middle School students gathered in Brownsburg, Indiana to pack 200 Christmas care package stockings for US soldiers serving overseas.

U.S. Marines assigned to 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), sort mail in the hanger bay of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) after a resupply at sea, July 20, 2013. The ship received 136 pallets of mail, the largest shipment on this deployment. The 26th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group serving as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious operations across the full range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher Q. Stone, 26th MEU Combat Camera/Released)

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

College of DuPage President Dr. Ann Rondeau and COD Cares volunteers packed care packages for deployed military personnel during a recent visit to Operation Support Our Troops -America in Lisle. About a dozen COD Action Heroes spent the morning packing much-needed comfort items to be sent to service members.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

An example of the delight and joy of gift boxes. The decorations are added to draw the eye and invigorate the mind.

They also bring lulz.

In case you were wondering the reason for the gifts, these are gift boxes for a few people that attended my graduation. There was a framed picture, and a different stuffed animal.

Because everyone loves stuffed animals.

Since the wait has become so long for our daughter, they are allowing us to send her a care package once a month now (instead of only 2-3 total). I am getting ready to send her these items: some bodysuits, a stuffed elephant, and a disposable camera. Hopefully her foster family will take pictures of her and send it back!

The Gbomai Bestman Foundation visits Liberia annually to monitor core projects, check in with partnerships, and uncover new terrain and plausible solutions in the fight against maternal and infant mortality in Africa. Read more about this trip here: bit.ly/obJpcp.

VintageThriftster is such a sweetheart! He had read about my gloomy troubles and sent this wonderful box full of gifts. His generosity brought a tear to my eye. I'll be posting close up shots soon.

College of DuPage President Dr. Ann Rondeau and COD Cares volunteers packed care packages for deployed military personnel during a recent visit to Operation Support Our Troops -America in Lisle. About a dozen COD Action Heroes spent the morning packing much-needed comfort items to be sent to service members.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

Two of my friends came to visit back over Memorial Day weekend, and they sent me this little care package as a thank you.

How fun! I'm not sure what to try first...

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

I truly have the BEST friends EVER. HoneyGirl & MIckey_Diamonds sent me a care package. Soup, Sugar free wafers, airborne, seasonings and SG-1's final season - seriously does it get better? It think NOT!

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

These goodies were sent from some Aussie friends - lots of fun stuff!

I think this is something that you mix into a malted or a shake. Not sure if it's powdered or liquid. Any guesses?

U.S. Marines assigned to 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), sort mail in the hanger bay of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) after a resupply at sea, July 20, 2013. The ship received 136 pallets of mail, the largest shipment on this deployment. The 26th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group serving as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious operations across the full range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher Q. Stone, 26th MEU Combat Camera/Released)

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Operation North State, a charity sponsoring numerous programs for all North Carolina military and veterans, joined with GlaxoSmithKline, an international healthcare company, to pack 500 care packages for deployed North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen at GSK’s Research Triangle Park campus here today.