Dear Mrs. Margaret L. Derfler,

Hi, how are you? I am writing to thank you for sending Christmas cards to everyone in my company, as well as all the other letters you have sent.  It really means a lot to me. I don’t know how many soldiers actually write you back but I’m sure everyone else feels good to get cards from you. Christmas isn’t actually a big deal out here but getting Christmas cards just helps remind us that people do care (besides our own families) and are thinking of us.

Well I guess I’ll tell you a little bit about myself. My name obviously is Byron Martin (PFC Martin) and I ‘m in 61^st aviation support battalion, 1^st air cavalry brigade, first cavalry division out of Fort Hood Texas. I am an Aircraft Structural Repairer which is basically a sheet metal/fiberglass worker for aircraft. My job is really cool and it’s hands-on so I enjoy it a lot. We are here at Camp Taji Iraq and there is not a lot going on. I guess that’s good because it is a sign that this war is winding down. I guess then we’ll still have Afghanistan. I am 24 years old and I was born in Lubbok, TX. I grew up in a beautiful little town called Marble Falls, Texas. I am very proud to be from Texas and Fort Hood is about an hour from home. My squad leader is from Hookstown, PA. He said you might know where that is. Well I don’t have much more to say at this time so I’ll let you go. Write back if you want to or have time to and I’ll write you back. Happy Holidays.

Sincerely,

PFC Martin, Byron C.

Byron C. Martin

P.S. Hope you can read my handwriting!