Mar 20, 2019 | Military Response
In a letter written with care and humility, Gunnery Sergeant Spanky Gibson shared what a simple box of letters meant to him and his fellow Marines. The impact wasn’t just personal—it was deeply collective. These weren’t just notes; they were reminders that someone was thinking of them, rooting for them, and caring enough to write.
A Box of Letters, A Box of Encouragement
GySgt. Gibson thanked A Million Thanks for the entire box of letters, saying he had already passed them around and hoped his fellow Marines would write back. “What you are doing is such an amazing feat for a young woman. You are definitely a blessing,” he wrote. That box didn’t just deliver mail—it delivered morale.
A Marine’s Journey, and a Nation’s Gratitude
With nearly 19 years of service, GySgt. Gibson had seen and sacrificed much. He wrote from Camp Fallujah, Iraq, reflecting on the day he was injured during a firefight. He was shot above the knee and ultimately lost his leg. But his message wasn’t one of pain—it was one of pride. “Thank God they got me out of there alive and I return to Iraq to continue to support what we’re doing.”
Why Letters Matter
For GySgt. Gibson, the mission was clear: helping Iraq rebuild and become a new, peaceful country. But equally clear was the value of support from back home. “We all appreciate what you are doing,” he wrote. That appreciation goes beyond any one letter—it’s about what those letters represent: unity, compassion, and the power of being remembered.
Mar 18, 2019 | Military Response
When a handwritten card reaches a soldier in a hospital bed, it brings more than paper and ink—it brings comfort, connection, and a reminder that their sacrifices are seen. Chaplain John L. Kallerson, serving at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, recently shared the profound impact that these letters have on wounded soldiers and their families.
Simple Acts, Lasting Comfort
Chaplain Kallerson wrote to express gratitude for the cards sent to patients at Walter Reed, saying it was a privilege for chaplains to pass along these “acts of kindness” to those recovering. “Your thoughtful gifts will be well received,” he noted. “It is a blessing to be a small part of such a caring and compassionate act of service.”
For many soldiers, those small gifts are not just appreciated—they’re remembered. They become symbols of care that arrive during some of the hardest days of their lives.
Strength in the Face of Recovery
The chaplain highlighted how meaningful these letters are during moments of deep struggle. Soldiers and their families, facing long and painful recoveries, are lifted by the kindness of strangers. “You exemplify the best that America has to offer,” he wrote to A Million Thanks, reinforcing that your letters matter not only to the person receiving them—but to the entire network of care surrounding them.
You Never Know Who Your Letter Will Reach
From hospital beds to war zones, your words travel farther than you think. They bring peace where there’s pain, joy where there’s sorrow, and hope where it’s needed most.
Nov 28, 2016 | Impact
For 33-year-old Marine Corps veteran Casey Schaubslager, the roar of a NASCAR engine wasn’t just noise—it was a lifelong dream. Growing up, he imagined one day standing on the track, maybe even getting behind the wheel. But like many veterans, life after service brought a different kind of reality—one filled with responsibility, stress, and often, a search for connection.
Then, one day, an unexpected email landed in Casey’s inbox from A Million Thanks.
They wanted to send him to a NASCAR race.
A Dream Realized
On March 22, 2015, Casey stepped foot on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 track in Fontana, CA. It was his first-ever live NASCAR event, and the experience was everything he hoped for—and more.
“The experience was unreal,” Casey said. “What A Million Thanks did for me was more than just provide a ticket. The staff was unbelievably accommodating. It made a portion of my life less stressful and gave me the chance to just have fun for a while.”
More Than a Race
What stood out to Casey wasn’t just the race—it was the gesture. That someone cared enough to offer him a day of joy and appreciation made a lasting impression. “It has made me realize how a simple gesture and appreciation event can be fulfilling for a veteran,” he shared. “To see that someone cares—it mattered.”
That moment of support turned into motivation. Today, Casey serves as the Program and Outreach Coordinator for The Wounded Heroes Fund in Bakersfield, California. The nonprofit helps fellow veterans transition into civilian life by offering everything from financial assistance to equine therapy, family programs, service dog training, and monthly community events like hikes, date nights, and movie nights.
From One Act of Kindness to a Life of Service
Casey’s journey is proof that the impact of support doesn’t stop with one person—it grows. That single NASCAR wish turned into a lifelong mission to give back. What began with an email from A Million Thanks now fuels a career spent helping others who served.
A Million Thanks would like to thank our partners at U.S. Rigging and Pelican Rope for helping make this wish possible.
