KELSEYVILLE – Supporters of Operation Tango Mike received sincere thanks recently.

Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Robert Boucher sent a card on behalf of the HMM-364 Purple Foxes, a Marine Corps unit.

Lieutenant Margaret Seymour sent a letter saying, “Just dropping you a note to say thank you for your recent package and for your support the entire year. My unit is redeploying next month and our mailbox will soon close. Thanks again for everything. Good luck and God Bless. Maggie.”

Once the names of military personnel are placed on the Operation Tango Mike mailing list, those individuals receive care packages and support throughout the length of their deployment. The thank you note from Lieutenant Seymour illustrates the importance of that ongoing connection.

Specialist Christina Wilson sent the following letter: “My name is Specialist Christina Wilson, an MP in the Missouri National Guard currently deployed to Al Asad, Iraq. I’m also, most importantly, a mom to 3 outstanding children- Summer (9), Joey (3) and Taylor (1).

I’m missing my babies but things are going well with our mission.

I just wanted to say thank you very much for the care package, the lovely letter from Mrs. Kane, and the Christmas cards. It’s all very appreciated and if by some miracle this letter reaches you all before the holidays are over, please know I’m hoping you will all have a very blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you, Chris.”

Specialist Wilson is the granddaughter of local veteran Griff Ratterree.

No one sends care packages or support with the expectation of being thanked. We do it simply because it is the right thing to do. However, the cards, letters and e-mail messages from our troops serve as reminders of the importance of our undertaking and are truly motivational.

In order to continue the ongoing troop support, Operation Tango Mike and the Kelseyville Lions will host a fundraiser on Sunday, Jan. 24.

The groups will sponsor a pancake breakfast, complete with side dishes for a donation of $6. The event will take place at the Kelseyville Lions Club, 4335 Sylar Lane, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Uniformed military personnel will be served as our guests. For further information, please call 707-349-2838.

Packing parties to prepare care packages are held the third Thursday of each month at Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St., Lakeport. Everyone is welcome.

Holiday items are included in care packages the month preceding the event in order to assure timely delivery. Therefore, Valentine’s Day cards, candy and goodies will be included in the January care packages.

If you have time, why not jot down a note or two to be sent to our troops? Correspondence is always requested and enjoyed by those far from home.

Donations are greatly appreciated and may be sent to 5216 Piner Court, Kelseyville, CA 95451.

Ginny Craven is founder of Operation Tango Mike.