Corporal Jeff Hammersmith

Date: February 7, 2016
Subject: Care package

Lisa and Terri,
Thank you so much for the care packages. I apologize for taking so long to get in contact, I just got back from two weeks of medical training and got the package as I was heading out. I will soon be heading out to Bahrain for the remainder of my time out here and am not sure yet how mail works out there but I will pass that info along as soon as I get it.


We’ve been keeping busy as always out here. The day after Christmas we went out for a couple weeks for maneuver training and a combined live fire exercise which included our tanks along with infantry, artillery and aviation units. It was quite an impressive display. I rang in the New Year with a sparking grape juice and cheese party on the back deck of a tank, pictures to follow. We’ve also been busy packing our equipment to go to Bahrain. For anyone who doesn’t know, Bahrain is a small, island nation in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Qatar.


We just finished two weeks of medical training which included navigating using a map and compass, testing on medical procedures, loading various military vehicles with patients, utilizing our chemical protective equipment and culminated with a 12mile foot march in full gear. It was exhausting but we got through it.


We will be getting up at 0200 tomorrow morning to watch the Super Bowl. To answer a question a bunch of the kids had, I am a Jets fan so I really don’t care who wins. I’m just happy the Patriots aren’t in it again.


A bunch of people also asked about snow here. It normally does not snow in Kuwait but last week we had a freak cold snap and did get a couple flakes. To call it a flurry would be an understatement but the locals thought it was the coolest thing ever. Many of them had never seen a snowflake in their lifetime. Of course cold here is a relative term since it was only in the mid 30s. I’m sure it’s considerably colder back home.


To answer some other questions
[from school children who wrote to Jeff]:
Keliyah, I am not going to Iraq but I am near there. Is your mother also in the military?
Layla, happy late birthday, I’ve been to nomads before and it is a lot of fun.
Aila and James, I don’t know if I could pick a favorite pet but it would probably be between our dog Joy and our horse Toey.
Alia, my favorite holiday would be either St. Patrick’s day because green is my favorite color and the Fourth of July because fireworks and America.
Layla, Kuwait is very sandy and has a lot of camels.
Charlotte, I enjoyed my presents very much, thank you! I shared them with some of my soldiers that didn’t get anything for Christmas. I do like to read, my job makes me read a lot of Army manuals and medical journals but I’m also reading the Lord of the Rings series.
Jordan, I already have my wife Shannon who is my special lady and I can’t wait to come home and see her.
Isabella, I did read the Harry Potter series and loved all the books and movies. I just finished the last two books before I deployed. My favorite hobby is target shooting. Please thank your dad for his service for me.
Mekhi, my birthday is in July. I should hopefully be home in time for my birthday!
Alex, out here I don’t really have any pets, but we do have a dog we named Sandy who follows us around while we’re out. Back home I have a dog named Joy, a horse named Toey, a cat named Tessa and three guinea pigs named Pumpkin, Mocha and DulcĂ©.
Troy, I really don’t watch WWE wrestling.


Again, thank you for your packages and letters. Hope all is well back home.

Jeff