Hello John,
   I just wanted to write you a letter to personally thank you. I am CW3 Michael Taylor. I fly UH-60L Blackhawks. I am writing you from Camp Taji Iraq. I’m from Florida and I own a house in North Port and a friend of mine sent me a link his name is Scott Irby He sings lead in the band due south. I just want to thank you for just the chance to fish with you, I have a busy schedule and I would love to fish but when I come home on leave I would just like to spend time with my wife and kids but just the opportunity being there thanks you. I currently live in Fort Hood Texas and have a house there. When I do come to Florida I would love to shake your hand in person. when I leave the army after retirement I want to start a charter. Thank you for shedding light on a sore subject. Some people don’t get the good things that happen here and the many troops that die without the chance to say thanks. Thanks John.
 
                             Sincerely CW3 Michael Taylor

Dear Editor:
 
On Veterans Day, I had the opportunity to spend my morning fishing with two soldiers who recently returned from extended tours in Iraq, Majors Keith Overton and Jack Griggs.  This event would not have been possible were it not for the support and efforts of Captain John “Giddy Up” Bunch and his crew of volunteers who recognize and honor our nation’s soldiers on a regular basis. 
 
Captain Bunch oversees a charity called Operation Open Arms, which gives individuals and businesses an opportunity to donate benefits and/or services for soldiers home on temporary leave.  Over 130 local sponsors donate free lodging, fishing trips, golf outings, meals, personal services, tickets to sporting events and other services to these heroes in honor of their sacrifices and service to our country.
 
Our hardworking servicemen and women know that when they come to Southwest Florida, they will be welcomed and honored by the dedicated volunteers and sponsors who form Operation Open Arms.  I’m proud to represent such caring and thoughtful citizens in Congress, and thank them for their efforts. 

Sincerely,

CONNIE MACK
Member of Congress
14th District, Florida

Dear Capt Bunch,  

I want to Thank you for starting up such a wonderful program. My husband and my father-in-law were able to take advantage of fishing with Capt Pressly in Merrit Island on Dec 18th. They had a wonderful time. My husband just returned from 15 month tour in Iraq and it was nice for him and his father to spend an afternoon fishing together. Thank you and Capt Pressly for making that available.    We are also able to take advantage of another offer, we are staying at Silver Sands resort in Ft Myers Dec 31-Jan 1. We are looking forward to it. We are planning on retiring in the Cape Coral area and we are looking for land to buy while we are down. We had picked this area a few years ago, but after seeing how much this area is pro military it really makes us feel that we have choose the right area to retire in when the day comes.    I also wanted to thank you for everything you have done for the wife of Daniel Beougher. Daniel was a coworker of my husband. They are both in 2-505 PIR 82nd Abn. We found out about his death a few days after it happened. My husband was pretty upset. He had just seen him two days before we went on leave and Daniel was passing out invitations to his wedding. He was already married, but since the deployment they didn't have the wedding for family and friends until Jan 08. Cpt Pressly sent me an email link to the story about how you all helped Daniels wife get home. I waited until after Christmas to show my husband since I knew he was upset when he found out when it happened . We both want to thank you.    Thank you so much and it will be honor to meet you sometime! I hope we get to shake your hands in person one of these times when we are in your area. I also want to thank the people who are all participating in this program. God Bless!   

Sincerely,      

Cara Kwek wife of SFC Chris Kwek Ft Bragg, NC

Recently, our son-in-law and daughter visited us for some R&R after Joe returned from his second deployment to Afghanistan. We were delighted with the warm welcome our Pine Island friends, neighbors and local businesses gave them. They were gracious and generous too.

We would like to thank Lisa Benton of the Chamber of Commerce and the following businesses; The American Legion, Tarpon Lodge, Diamond Head Resort, Sandy Hook Restaurant, Bert’s Bar and Grill and Capt. Gerry Butters, who took them to lunch at Useppa Island.

On behalf of our family, we would like to express our respect, love and deep gratitude to our Pine Island community during an emotional time for our family.

Wes and Joy Morris

St. James City

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about something very special that recently happened to my family. A few months ago I got in touch with a Captain John Bunch who is the founder of Operation Open Arms. This is a program that provides special opportunities for soldiers who come home for two weeks R & R from Iraq completely free of charge!! My husband recently came home for his 2 week leave and was treated so very special by some of the 125 sponsors involved with this wonderful program.  

To start with, Denny Grimes (a local realtor), provided a limo to pick my husband up from the airport upon his arrival from Baghdad. He was so surprised, and I'm sure it made him feel rather special. A few days later, we spent two wonderful nights at the Tarpon Lodge in Pineland in our own little cottage. What a beautiful place for Keith to get the much needed rest that he so deserved. While in the area, the very kind and generous people from the Sandy Hook Restaurant in Matlacha treated us to a wonderful meal at their restaurant on the water (thank you Nicole).   A few days later, we spent two wonderful nights at the DiamondHead Beach Resort complete with a bottle of wine, cheese and fruit tray, and plate of cookies upon our arrival. What a surprise that was! While at the beach, we went on a half day cruise on Captain Tom Cameron's catamaran, the Pathfinder. It was a beautiful day, and what a kind and very interesting man Captain Tom turned out to be. We really enjoyed our time spent with him. That night we ate at Salty Sam's....another sponsor from Operation Open Arms. One night while Keith was home, we ate at the Farmer's Market for a delicious home cooked meal. The food was so delicious, and we can't wait to go back again.   Last, but certainly not least, we went out for a cruise on Gerald Butters boat, the Mariposa, to Useppa Island where we enjoyed lunch at the famous Collier Inn.  Before leaving, Mr. Butters insisted on purchasing a Guy Harvey fishing shirt for my husband (which, by the way, I had to constantly wash because he liked it so much he wanted to wear it every other day). What a special person Mr. Butters is. This is a man who is a Canadian citizen who is currently studying to become an American citizen. Our time spent with him was so very special; a day we will remember forever, I'm sure.   Operation Open Arms also afforded me the opportunity to meet Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp at a special reception at the Tarpon Lodge to honor the OOA sponsors.   In addition, a special thanks to the Pineland American Legion and the Women's Auxiliary for the Walmart gift card and food coupons, and to Mr. & Mrs. Dan Loren and Mr. & Mrs. Alan Cadkin for their generous gift cards.

   We have been completely overwhelmed by the unbelievable acts of kindness from complete strangers as they show their support of the very brave men and women who serve our country. They have brought a little bit of sunshine into our lives during this difficult time.   As a wife of a U.S. Major serving in Iraq, I am absolutely convinced that there is no other city in the United States that is kinder to our troops returning home for their two weeks R & R than Fort Myers. Operation Open Arms makes this possible....and it's all free!   Thank you,

Susan Overton

Karen Lynn
Fort Stewart, Georgia

God bless you and keep on keeping on!!!

Proudly Serving

SSgt David Singleton

Georgia Air National Guard

I came across this site-you might like it.

http://www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm

In an idle moment I happened to Google my sons name and ran across the picture posted at Operation Arms. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for all you have done for the men and women who serve our country. My heart was touched when my son, Aaron, had shared with me about the wonderful time he had on leave and how you had helped make that possible.

You are doing a great service. My family and friends were inspired by your generosity. Please know that not only do you serve the soldiers but your acts of kindness and hospitality also serve their extended families. It gives us great comfort to know that our soldiers recieve the well deserved rest and restoration you help provide.

A very grateful Mom in California
Best regards
Barbara Barreda

Susan Overton (Fort Myers)

On behalf of my brother, Scott McEnearney, and my entire family, I would like to thank you for starting Operation Open Arms. We had a wonderful time on Sanibel Island during Scott's R&R. We were happy that we were able to do the television interview to help promote your worthy cause. I took a picture of Scott in front of the condo we stayed at on Sanibel Island. I will send it to you in case you would like to post the photo on your website.

If you are interested in expanding your program to Southeast Florida please let me know. I would be very happy to assist. My parents own a restaurant and I know they would like to offer something to the servicemembers on R&R. As an accountant I'm not really able to provide any services to members of the armed forces but I could certainly work with local businesses in Southeast Florida to get their participation.

Thank you again for everything.

Lori Hancock

...What you are doing for us truly touches my heart. It is nice to see our sacrifices appreciated at home. I heard about OOA via an email that the Batallion Commander's wife sent out to all deployed soldier's spouses in their batallion (the email must have reached several hundred women at the very least!) ... Nicole Hensley