Veterans send gifts to deployed Airmen Published Nov. 10, 2004 By Tech. Sgt. Michael O’Connor 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) -- Servicemembers and DOD civilians serving here began receiving military assistance communication kit packages Nov. 4.The MACK Packs were donated through a Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary VFW program called Operation Uplink. The packs contained a writing tablet, holiday cards with envelops, a folder to hold correspondence, a 120-minute phone card and a letter from the organizations.“This holiday gift is a small token or our gratitude for your service to this great nation,” wrote John Senk Jr., VFW adjutant general, in a letter included in each package. “As veterans, we know just how hard it is to be away from family and friends during this time of year. That’s why [we] enclosed a few items to help [servicemembers] stay in touch.”Since Operation Uplink began in 1996, the program has given thousands of servicemembers and hospitalized veterans the opportunity to hear the voices of their families and loved ones, according to the Operation Uplink Web site.“People back home didn’t always support the troops the way they do today,” said Senior Airman Sara Ziesman, a senior controller for the 447th Air Expeditionary Group command post. “I feel extremely privileged to receive gifts like this and plan to use the phone card to call my parents, and the writing tablet and envelopes to send thank you notes to the people I’ve received cards and packages from.”