Welcome To the American Troop Support Team Web Site
Supporting Those Who Fight For Freedom
AS OF 31-DEC-11 (the end of our 7th year) WE HAVE SENT 1,384 BOXES TO 893 SOLDIERS AND MILITARY HOSPITALS WEIGHING 41,793 POUNDS (ALMOST 22 TONS OF GOODIES FROM HOME)
The American Troop Support Team is a non-profit organization, all volunteer charity, whose purpose is to show support of our soldiers. We send boxes of “goods from home” directly to the individual soldiers. Inspired by S.S.G. Peter Torruella, A.T.S.T. was formed so that the men and women of our Armed Forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan know that we at home support them.
The Beginning - First email in December, 2004
Hello everyone.This is Joe Natale.Not a forwarded email, but an original.I would like to share with you something that happened to me while I was away over the weekend. I met Staff Sergeant Peter Torruella, from the U.S. Army.I’ll try to make this a short reading.
When I learned that Pete was a soldier on leave from Iraq, I approached him to thank him for his dedication to our country and our freedom.He thanked me for showing him my appreciation.I could not believe it when he told me that while he has been on leave, since Thanksgiving, most of the people he has encountered have shunned him, as if blaming him for the war in Iraq.
Here is a little background on Pete.He is 42 years old.He is from Brooklyn, raised in the Bronx.He stands about 6’ 2” and 210 lbs.,18 years in the Military.He served in Dessert Storm, Grenada (and other places I cannot remember), and he has been in Iraq since the war began.They forced him to take this leave against his wishes.He cannot wait to get back to his troops ( he flies back Monday, 12-13).He has seen it all.The good and the bad.He loves his country.He is a man of character and dedication. He is the epitome of a soldier, as are most of our troops. One more fact.He lost six family members on September 11. I askedPete if there was anything I could do for him.He said that it would be great if I could send him some items, such as odorless baby wipes, powdered Gatorade, cigarettes, etc.He mentioned that most of the care packages that some support groups send over, sit in a warehouse until they either go bad, are tampered with or pilfered.He said that if I send the items directly to him he would receive them and distribute to his troops.It got me to think.I know I can send Pete the items myself and take care of him and maybe a few of his troops, but it would be magnificent if WE could send him a great deal more. That is why I am writing this letter and sending it to everyone on my email list.If anyone would like to get involved with me in any way, just let me know.If you do not have time, and you wish to donate money to these soldiers, also let me know or just mail it to me.Rest assured that 100% of anything collected will be used to buy and deliver needed items directly to Pete and our troops.He said he would get it directly.The military is very strict about getting mail to the troops.He told me that once he was in a foxhole involved incrossfire with insurgents and they delivered a letter to him.If you have family members or friends in the military, we could do the same for them, as well.If you do not wish to get involved, that’s ok too.
I am doing this because I enjoy the freedoms I have.I want my children and grandchildren to enjoy them, also.The soldiers, past, present and future, are the reason we have these freedoms.
OK, that’s the story. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Joe Natale
Mission Statement
The American Troop Support Team has been formed to provide tangible support to men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly those currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The organization will solicit financial donations, as well as contributed products, which will be used to package and ship the goods to the troops. Such packages will include, but are not limited to, snack foods, personal hygiene items, reading materials and other generally available items, which are consistent with American, as well as Military, law. On occasion, when we receive requests for specific item(s), such requests may be given priority. The names of soldiers are solicited in a non-discriminatory manner. The American Troop Support Team believes these efforts exemplify the value of an American tradition by displaying respect to those men and women who, at great sacrifice, protect our great country and the freedom we enjoy.
Finally
If anyone knows of a soldier who would like to receive one of our boxes or, if anyone would like to make a donation or has any questions, please contact Joe Natale at jpnpete@yahoo.com
