"I think it is great that you are thinking of service men and women overseas. I am a military personnel and I have been overseas and know how it is not to have anything to do. This will give everyone a chance to relax and enjoy bowling. Thanks to everyone for their support of our fighting men and women overseas."
Thanks
SSG Jamie L Johnston
"I have to say that this is one of the greatest ideas I have seen come to Kuwait.
Thank you for what you are doing for the troops."
MWR Supervisor
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
"I just wanted to say, on behalf of the 386th ELRS, thanks for sending us the Bowling Kit for our enjoyment. The troops really enjoy using it. It is a nice way to relieve some of our stress level. We even get some extra exercise when resetting the pins.
The temperatures are in the 125° range during the day now, so the A/C in the building is a welcomed relief. What better way to spend some of some off time then to do a little bowling. A nice indoor activity when it is too hot outdoors for any other type of activity except work. Thanks again."
JAMES R. GRUENWALD, SMSGT, USAF
386 ELRS/LGRVO, Superintendent
Dear Farmingdale Lanes,
As we stand patrol on the other side of the world I write you this e-mail to say thank you. Anyone watching the news can see that we have been busy taking the War on Terrorism to the terrorists themselves. For us service members, that means long days and even longer nights. I am an Air Traffic Controller Second Class stationed aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise and have been deployed for many months now. It's not uncommon for us to spend ten to sixteen hours a day in a dark radar room, fixed to our scopes, ensuring that all our pilots depart to their mission and even more importantly, arrive back on the flight deck safely. Needless to say, we savor any opportunity we can get to relax for a minute. So when my Mom informed me that my division had been chosen to receive a bowling alley as part of your Support Our Troops program, we all became excited.
As you can see from the pictures enclosed, it is sometimes difficult to find an appropriate space aboard this vessel of war. The tight bulkheads do provide a nice bumper system for some of the less skilled rollers in need of a handicap. And I will say that the ship's roll does provide an interesting hook. Whenever we find a time to set the lane up, it tends to bring out Sailors from every hatch looking for a chance to relieve some stress. And everyone agrees that this is one of the coolest packages ever to come off the COD.
Anyone who has ever been in the service can tell you that the stress of the mission and the separation from the ones we love can wear you down. But it's gestures like this from the folks back home that remind that we are not forgotten and what we are doing is important. On behalf of myself, U.S.S. Enterprise, and all the Armed Forces, I thank you all for your continued support and look forward to seeing you soon.
V/r
AC2(AW) Betts
U.S.S. Enterprise
United States Navy
P.S.
I have enclosed some pictures and videos of some of the crew taking their best shots. No actual Sailors were harmed in the making of this.
"If its not too much to ask, I've seen the (BVL) bowling set and was wondering if we could get one. My job here is to run and manage the MWR tent in our tent city and I am also on The Battallion Missionary Team... my role is to keep the soldiers in good spirits which is tough to do in this type of atmosphere and situation."
D. Johnson
1-133 rd Infantry
(David's company was shipped two kits - A gift from the Tellier Foundation, Milwaukee, WI)
I wanted to thank the USBC and it's members on behalf of SSGT Shane Mason, who was sent a portable bowling lane kit in Iraq from the money collected at the USBC Convention. He wants everyone to know that he and the soldiers in his command as well as other troops at the same location are thrilled with the kit and the fun, exercise, and relaxation they are receiving from the kit. Shane says that the "bowling lane" is in constant use and is the best way of having fun and releasing stress they have. The other soldiers wanted to know who he knows stateside that would sent him such a great gift ... he told them he evidently knows the best people.
Lynn Ridenour
Southeastern Ohio USBC
Thank you for the bowling alley. We received it today in the mail. I have attached a few pictures of us using it. It was fun to have gotten the time to bowl a few frames. There will be more pictures to follow as soon as all my marines get to use the bowling alley. Thank you again from all of us here in Iraq.
Respectfully,
Sgt Hendrickson Frank
USMC
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS-24), HI
(kit donated by McSorley of Rab's Country Lanes, Staten Island, NY)
To the Kachemak Bowling Center,
We would like to show our appreciation and a huge THANK YOU for the special gift that you have sent us. The bowling kit is very wonderful and the talk of the unit. All of us here at Power Plants really like it because it breaks up the long days and gives us a chance to go out and have a good time and share good laughs. We also like to have a little competition to see who can bowl the best game.
I would just like to say thank you for the support that you have given us, all of you are true on Americans and Heros.
SSgt. Curtis Cronin
USMC
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS-29)
see photos
We did manage to find time on Friday evening to hold the inaugural "Stallion Invitational" bowling tournament. Thanks to my dad, we now have a carpet bowling lane, 10 solid pins and a rubber bowling ball!! Let me tell you...I think that was the most fun we've had since we got here.
We set up the tournament bracket style, and drew names to fill in the brackets. Each round was one game of head to head competition with the winner advancing and the loser moving in to the "pin setter / ball return" rotation. Some of the highlights - Highest game rolled - 212 (by one of our terps who had never even heard of - nor seen - bowling). Lowest score - 117 (Hip Hop). Our terp (same guy who never heard of bowling) advanced all the way to the finals.
Let me tell you...that final match had an "Olympic" feel to it. USA vs. Afghanistan for the Gold Medal. Grizz - the eventual winner - had the hopes and dreams of all us infidels riding on his shoulders. The screaming and shouting and hooping and hollering went on the entire game. It was pretty funny.
As for me....well, I lost to Grizz in the semi finals. I missed the 10-pin 3 times during the match (go figure) and that's what cost me. I'll go to my grave knowing that all 3 of those frames were 'bad racks'....although no one here believes me. Actually, I was just happy to escape the first round. We had one female in the tourney (Liaison from the 82nd Abn assigned to our Ops Center) and I had the unfortunate luck of drawing her in the first round. Just imagine the pressure of losing in the first round, on a bowling lane sent over by my father.....to a girl!! I would've had to extend my tour for another year for sure....just to allow adequate time for the humiliation to fade away....(although....knowing my family...no tour extension would be long enough to live that one down).
SGM David M.
Command-Central
Camp Dubs, Afghanistan
