Care packages raise morale at deployed location Published April 13, 2003 By 1st Lt. Phillip Ulmer 86th Expeditionary Contingency Response Group Public Affairs OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (AFPN) -- When you're deployed in the middle of nowhere, there are few things that can brighten your day like receiving a care package. After being deployed for more than two weeks, members of the 86th Expeditionary Contingency Response Group received a bundle of care packages from home April 12."Getting a care package brightens your day," said Staff Sgt. Tobi Erskine, a paralegal. "My office back home really took care of us," she said as she highlighted her new stress-relieving lotion, stationery, power bars and lip balm.According to the first sergeant here, Master Sgt. Mario Ramos, care packages play a big role at a deployed location where you don't have the creature comforts of home."The care packages do a lot for everyone's morale here. You can see it in their faces -- they're like kids at Christmas," he said. "The care packages show that someone back home is thinking about us. They took the time to pick out something special to make life here a little better for us and to send us a little slice of home."And bringing that little bit of home to the field is what keeps the airmen here going and smiling."The best part of my care package were the pictures of my wife and children," said Staff Sgt. Lance Buckless, an aircraft crew chief, as he shuffled through a stack of family photos. "I haven't seen my family in so long, so seeing pictures of them is great."Buckless added that the small package he received today reminds him that he is in his family's thoughts."Even though I'm gone, I know they're still thinking about me back home," he said.Not everyone here got a package, so the group spreads the wealth as best they can."Everyone shares what they get and we try to make sure everyone gets a little bit of something," Ramos said as he delivered candy and treats to those whose care packages hadn't arrived yet."I just feel privileged to help bring a smile to their faces." (Courtesy of USAFE News Service)