Wednesday, January 8, 2014

E-mail Messages from Troops



-----Original Message-----
From: Searles, Lyndon L GS-15 CJ2 XO Special Advisor [mailto:Lyndon.L.Searles@afghan.swa.army.mil]
Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2013 9:23 AM
To: Brenda Villatoro
Subject: (U//FOUO) Christmas Cookies

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Dear Chef Villatoro and the Cookie Production Staff,

I just wanted to let you know that your cookies arrived today at the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan.   After sampling your hard work I set out to deliver a box to different directorates in the headquarters.   Your cookies brought a lot of happiness to folks on what would normally be a dreary morning - smiles were present at each location!   My favorite reactions came from our Coalition Partners.   I delivered a box to some German Officers who at first gave me a strange look however, after I explained that the box was filled with cookies for them one of the officers threw his hands up and said "COOKIES."  I also gave a box to our Macedonian partners who could not believe that the whole box was for them and it was free.  The best reaction came from our GEO team who are also German - I dropped a box off to them and a few minutes later they came to my office with the box in hand to say thanks....I asked why they were returning the box and they explained that they thought the goal was to take some cookies and pass on the box to another group - not a bad idea!  From the Americans I received Thank You emails from most and others could not believe how good the cookies were.  They also loved the jokes that you sent with the letter.

I just wanted to pass on how important your delivery was to a group of folks with different backgrounds and traditions - but brought together by your COOKIES!  It was a nice gift and very thoughtful...please pass this on to all involved in the process.

v/r

Lenny

Lyndon Searles
DCOSINT, Chief of Staff

Acts of Kindness: Brenda Villatorro


Posted: Jan 08, 2014 6:24 AM PSTUpdated: Jan 08, 2014 6:24 AM PSTBy Kirsten Joyce, Morning Anchor - emailBy Kyle Zuelke, Photojournalist - email