ATC06

I'm trying to make it to GW VII, maybe we can meet there for a beer or two and I can thank each of you in person!!!

The honor is all mine............

Well, we did our best and we think we did a pretty good job. We set out the first GEOCAC in Iraq at our Event today at Camp Victory. We had to make do with some pretty rudimentary supplies and we only have our personal GPS (not much in the way of survey equipment over here-at least not accessible to me), but we had a blast doing it. I will post pics and coordinates later this evening. James ATC RLTW~Sua Asponte

MAN!!!! We just finished up with the Event about an hour ago and it was a great time!! I actually felt relaxed and I can't remember when the last time that happened!! I will post my 'Attended" log later tonight when I get done at work. I can upload all my pictures from there. Thanks again to all the great people out there for the terrific donations. We had donations from Canada, Korea, Japan, the US and Germany. A true coalition of geocachers. What an awesome thing ya'll did, pulling together and sending all the Geocoins, Path Tags, Pins, SWAG and containers over here. There were about four different cameras snapping away so be on the lookout for some pictures soon! James RLTW~Sua Asponte

MAN!!!! We just finished up with the Event about an hour ago and it was a great time!! I actually felt relaxed and I can't remember when the last time that happened!! I will post my 'Attended" log later tonight when I get done at work. I can upload all my pictures from there. Thanks again to all the great people out there for the terrific donations. We had donations from Canada, Korea, Japan, the US and Germany. A true coalition of geocachers. What an awesome thing ya'll did, pulling together and sending all the Geocoins, Path Tags, Pins, SWAG and containers over here. There were about four different cameras snapping away so be on the lookout for some pictures soon! James RLTW~Sua Asponte

Just wanted to let ya'll know I got a great package from VOYAGEURS60 this morning. They mailed it out on the 3rd of February and it got over here in our mailroom on the night of the 9th. That's really fast turnaround. Thanks again guys!!!!!!

We are T-5 days and counting (GMT+3 time). Thanks to the hard work, tireless effort and all the great donations everyone sent, this Event promises to be a great time!! FOG, a local cacher here, did a fantastic job designing and making a poster that will double as the log. It mirrors the signs that our convoys have attached to the back of all vehicles, only there’s are a little bit more menacing and are fairly explicit in telling those what will happen if you get within 100 meters. He did a great job and this turned out really well. Thanks Mike!! I tried to add the picture, but I couldn't get it to take. You can see it on the Event page in the Gallery. ps. He is also responsible for placing and maintaining a lot of our caches here and I think he will be the first to own a Wherigo Cache in Iraq!

I got two more boxes last night!! These both came from The Fighting Irish 4. I gotta tell ya, these boxes were heavy!! I looks like a TON of great stuff!! Only eight more days until the Event. Thanks again to all those who donated and especially to The Fighting Irish 4 family for getting it all together and sending it over here. James RLTW~Sua Asponte

So, I think I have to be invited. Anyone wanna invite me in? James RLTW~Sua Asponte

Tsun, Got your box this morning!! DANG!!! I opened this very heavy box up and it looked like a gourmet of sweets and goodies and some AWESOME coins!!! Oh, the temptation........... Thanks for the instructions, I will make sure to follow them!!! Thanks again Steph! James RLTW~Sua Asponte

I will keep an eye out for those packages!! As far as my tag, RLTW stands for "Rangers Lead The Way". Sua Aponte is latin meaning "Of Thier Own Accord". This are two of the things nearest and dearest to me in my Army career.

IS ALL THAT FOR US!!!! HOLY COW!!!! Seriously, that is freakin' AWESOME!!!!! I will totally take some pictures pre, during and post Event!! I think I might have to use a wide angle lens though to get all of the SWAG and coins in there! James RLTW~Sua Asponte

LoriDarlin, LoneSapper did collect donations for an Event in OCT, but only one of the boxes got here in time. The box with all the swag arrived but the one with all the coins took longer, about two more weeks. The late box didn't make it, so I held it for this Event. The mail getting over can be really unpredictable and screwy. Brandon (LoneSapper) tried his very best to get both boxes to us, but the USPS got 'em! I hope that clears it up. Again, I want to let everyone know who has any questions; please email me at any time. All of the stuff that is being or has been donated is going given away out the Event. I made sure that during both Events (the one in APR 08 and OCT 08), that I didn't end up with any HOT coins or swag that someone might think that I purposefully held one or two back. I even traded 15 coins to Rashry for a 08 Lackey and turned right around and gave that 08 Lackey away!!! Call me nuts, but I'm a giver!!! BTW LoriDarlin-send me your address please.

OK, I just got a box from Team_DDNight. Thanks Dan!! For those who don't know, Team_DDNight was one of the BIG organizers on this side for the APR 08 Event.

OMG!!! I can't not believe all the stuff everyone has collected!! Again, a great big thanks!!! I got another box yesterday from TEAM_DDNight. This year he is on the donating side. He was a huge organizer over here for the last HUGE one we had in Apr 08. Thanks DAN!! Once these boxes come in, I will do my best to post the next day about what I got and who it came from. Seriously, I love all ya'll!!!! RLTW~ Sua Asponte

Okay.....I'm a huge slacker!!! I have gotten three packages over the last few days from : Hollora Krazy Trolls and AngryEMT (Jody too) Jakalgirl Thanks again so much for all the great donations and well wishes!! James Sua Asponte~RLTW

I have no doubt you did!! I will tell you that your prayers, well wishes and support back home are MORE than enough for us!!! Seriously, you guys ROCK!!!! James RLTW~Sua Asponte

Just wanted to let those out there know that I received a great box from dlkempf. What a great little hand written note in there for us. I will make sure to spread around all the goodies and those coins are really awesome! On a side note about some of the posts above (I haven't quite figured out how to quote someone's posts). I think everything boils down to the fact that it is very hard to truly "read" a person’s feeling and emotions in an email. But I think that we can all agree that EVERYONE here that is sending their prayers, well wishes and donations represents the not-so-often-seen good side of people. If I could line each one of you guys up, I how be honored to shake your hands. Some of you might even get a bear hug!!! James RLTW~Sua Sponte

WOW!! Those are really awesome cards! It STILL amazes me the number of folks who are coming up online to offer their support and those who are generously sending donations. It's really good to know that we still have support out there! I did get an odd email. PLEASE, PLEASE don't send any cash or any other type of monies as or with your donation. If that is something you are interested in, please understand it is totally unsolicitated. If you are interested in some worth while places that take donations, drop me an email or PM. I know when someone tells someone else who tells someone about gathering donations for Events, things might get a little miscommunicated. I just don't want anyone to run into any trouble. Again, I really love all the kind emails and offers. Please understand that we are totally happy with anything you want to send, even if it is your prayers of safe return. Thanks to all who are involved!! James RLTW~Sua Asponte

Holy Cow, what a group of HOT STUDS!! Can you pick me out? I'll give you some clues: I'm wearing boots I'm wearing a hat I'm wearing green I have short hair That was an awesome time!!!!

Seriously, this is a very tasteful and respectful coin. Thanks for taking the time to putting thes together. Let me know when these are available. I would love to spread these through the local community over here. James RLTW~ Sua Asponte

Wow. That's all I can say. Even that can't convey the emotions I feel about all you great folks out there that do this for us. I didn't know this topic was in the forums until I finally had a few free minutes this afternoon. The Event on the 14th of February is going to be a good time, but it will be even better knowing that we have people like all of you back in the States supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Civilians that are working over here. In today's times, many people have mixed emotions of what our Troops are doing here. But I can honestly say that all the hard work and sacrifice our fellow Americans and Coalition Forces are making is setting the stage for a better Iraq. Again, I cannot describe the way I feel after seeing the outpouring from everyone who is donating to this Event and to the last two we have hosted over here. Thanks again!! James Sua Asponte-RLTW

I will totally check again. I had a packge take 33 days last week. Sometime the mail over here is REALLY slow. We have had some pretty bad weather lately and that delays our mail deliveries.

OK, sorry it has taken me THIS long to post any updates of packages received. So far, here is what I have: Lone Sapper The BurgessFour DaFunkyFrogs 007BigD Culpea H2Nut New Yorker

K. I didn't see it last night, but I will check one more spot. Mail around here hsa drastically SLOWED down. I'll let you know. Thanks again to you and all those great people who donate items for our Events!!! James