Daniel is in the back row – big smile on his face. Arm around his buddy.

The following email was sent from a grateful sergeant in Daniel’s Platoon:

 
We are all doing well over here. The weather is a bit cold and windy. Anyways, I would like to thank you for all the goodies and letters you have sent to us. We really appreciate it!  It’s a morale booster for us when we get letters and stuff. It goes to show that people back home do care about us.

As for me, I live in Connecticut. I joined the military in 2007.  

Again, I want to thank you on behalf of me and my soldiers.

We found out this morning that Daniel’s Platoon is no longer at COP Zerok. Until further notice, his mail/care packages will be delivered to FOB OE. For anyone sending packages or letters to Daniel, please send them to the following address:

1LT Daniel G. Kronz
Bravo, 2-14
FOB OE
APO AE 09311

If you have already sent them to the COP Zerok address, no worries! They will find their way to his Platoon. Daniel and his men are so appreciative of all the love, prayers and concern shown to them by the parishioners of St. Luke’s!

SFC Aaron Harre, who is The Platoon Sergeant (the Senior Non Commissioned Officer in Daniel’s Platoon) and who works alongside Daniel, is  married, has three kids, and one on the way!  He has served 16 years in the Army and is close to retirement.  He has served multiple tours in combat: Iraq, and now Afghanistan. He plans to retire from the Army at 20 years.  He writes:

We are doing good over here, the hardest thing we struggle with is keeping the men's motivation and spirits up.  It's a challenge in Leadership.

One thing I can say is that the packages that the people from St. Luke’s have sent us, is way overwhelming, and gives something for me and my men to look forward to every day. Your care packages have prevented my men from having to eat MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat).  They’re not bad at first, but eating them all the time gets depressing.

The Prayers and Spirit coming from your Church is amazing; personally it has blown me away!  When I was in Iraq we never had this many people that cared about us.  All we heard about was the protesting going on back in the States, and no one cared that we were there; so I appreciate your kindness, and am extremely grateful and  appreciative for that. It lets me and my men know we’re not forgotten by the American people. I guess what I'm saying is my men here only have their friends and families that recognize them, but when American citizens recognize us, it reminds us what we're fighting for.

If I haven't said Thank You enough, Thanks again!

SFC Harre, Aaron
United States Army / Fort Drum, NY
aaron.harre@us.army.mil
harrea002@yahoo.com

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Daniel Kronz with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment (2-14th), 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain, greets a local man in Sharmai, Paktika Province, Afghanistan, Feb. 18, 2013. U.S. Soldiers from Combat Outpost Zerok are in Sharmai to speak with locals to discuss human terrain information that will support critical decisions of the Command at Combat Outpost Zerok. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Raymond Schaeffer)

U.S. Army Cpt. Robert Smith, and 1st Lt. Daniel Kronz with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain return from patrol outside Combat Outpost (COP) Zerok, Paktika Province, Afghanistan, Feb. 20, 2013. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Raymond Schaeffer)

I just got to Skype with Daniel for the first time! He is doing great! He said the guys are a little hungry for REAL food. They are eating too many snacks, and not getting enough good protein. He asked if people would send canned tuna, chicken, salmon, etc. Snacks can be sent too, but he would prefer if people focused more on the protein items. Also, TOBACCO. Protein and tobacco is what they guys are requesting...any tobacco products!!
Otherwise, they are doing good! He sends his love to everyone! I snapped a
picture of him while we were talking! Such a handsome man! Thanks again!

~Natalie

An update from Daniel’s wife, Natalie:

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in a while! The snowfall has slowed everything down over there, including the mail and any good updates. Mail is starting to trickle back in, but it was backed up for a while! Thank you to everyone still sending goodies and everyone getting packages ready to send! And thank you so much for the continued prayers. Daniel has been on Towers and should be taking over Patrol the next time around, so keep praying for them as fervently as you have been! 

Daniel is getting a little bit of cabin fever with the snow keeping them in the COP for the past few weeks. You know Daniel…inactivity does not suit him!

As for his care package requests – NO MORE TOILETRIES!  They are “covered” for an ETERNITY due to your generosity, so thank you so much! He is asking for more food, snacks, coconut water (contains electrolytes for rehydration), and supplements from https://www.advocare.com/130212671/. The altitude calls for lots of hydration, and AdvoCare offers a lot of products that can help with that. 

Food items: anything microwaveable (quinoa mixes, soups, etc.), canned tuna or chicken, beef jerky, summer sausage, whole grain products, Peanut Butter, COFFEE (they have a grinder, so whole bean is great)! Daniel loves any bold blend, especially from Starbucks, (TJ Maxx often has whole bean Starbucks coffee on sale). A lot of these items, especially if you want to send in bulk, can be found on Amazon.com, and most will be shipped for free. I use Amazon for tuna, coconut water, and jerky because it ends up being cheaper and easier. The guys also like movies, so if there are any funny classics you want to send, please do! They will be most appreciated!

On a side note, thank you for the letters and emails! They mean so much to both of us.

Let me know if you have any questions about anything! 

Natalie Kronz

Daniel sends a big THANK YOU to all of you who have been so kind to send care packages to him and his Platoon!

This week Daniel and his Platoon have been on Towers: Each platoon rotates between Towers and Patrols. He says that there are a lot of random animals on the COP. There are stray dogs (potentially rabid) and cats (hunting the mice), and there is even a rumor about monkeys!  He hasn't seen them, but the guys are convinced that they're around at night, rummaging through the trash.  

The guys are in good spirits! Daniel and his buddy got a hair cut this week called a "high and tight." They don't have a barber, so one of his men shaved it almost into a short mohawk!  So, of course, his Platoon is following his lead! Daniel reports that he is getting plenty of sleep and he's been able to workout in their little gym whenever possible.  He said they have PLENTY of toothbrushes, shaving cream, and toiletries. But, any kind of food, snacks, protein, supplements and LETTERS would be appreciated!  Daniel and Natalie are AdvoCare users and distributors. Natalie has provided a link below for AdvoCare products, if anyone is interested in sending these types of supplements.  Do not feel obligated; it’s just a suggestion.  She has created "bundles" of supplements in different prices to make it easier.  You can also purchase separate items if you want to mix and match! You can ship directly to the troops and Daniel. Just ask Meredith or Denise in the office for the address; we're not allowed to post it on the internet.

www.advocare.com/130212671

Daniel was able to send a few pictures, so we thought we would post them so
that you could get an idea of where he'll be living.
He said that he likes his room and is enjoying having it to himself.
He sends his love to everyone!

1. Daniel's room
2. Daniel's bed
3. Daniel with his Squad Leaders, Sgt. Cochran & Sgt. Wilkes