4 June2004

*****A tribute to Corporal Bum Rok Lee USMC*****

A brave soldier w/a great heart & soul

2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division,

I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, CA.

8 May 1983 - 2 June 2004

2 June 2004, I finally got to see you after 6 months of being deployed.  You just don't know how happy I am to be able to see you, hold you, kiss you and to hear you say "I love you"to me.   They say a first love never ends and I believe that's true.  We both might have moved on, but once you have truly loved somebody, the feelings do not go away, and you never stop caring for them.  I've always questioned myself if you ever really loved me?  As I wake from my dream to find out two days later that you do, and wanted to make sure that I knew it before you have to go away again for the last time.  They say the people who you love come back to visit you in your dreams.  I never thought it would mean I'll never get to see you again in reality.  It hurt so bad to find out you were critically injured and stayed in intesive care for four days at the 31st CSH.  Everyday I visit and take care of other wounded soldiers, but I never would  have thought that I would not  be able to do that for you.  How can God not let me see you and take care of you for the last time?   But in my heart I know you wished  for me not to see you hurt like that.  Today, I cried myself to sleep praying that my tears will bring you back.  I woke up, went to the hospital looking for you, hoping to see you in ICW2 where all of my soon to be healthy patients sleep. I couldn't find you and don't think I ever will......

My dear friend you will be missed greatly by all of those who have had the good fortune to know and love you.  Although your time with us was short all the wonderful things you did in life will be remembered fondly by all of us.  God has found a better place for you as you will rest there in  heavenly peace.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/8836250.htm?1c

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/06/05/LEE.TMP

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/03/18/ING3MOKQ4E1.DTL&hw=bumrok+lee&sn=001&sc=1000 

I have lost a truly great friend to Operation Iraq Freedom II.  Bum Rok and I went to Junior & Highschool together and shared many wonderful moments together. Bum Rok, Joe(his bestfriend), and I joined the military at the same time.  He had always been the bravest one out of us three. I would always think of him as the protector, and me as the care giver. He did his part, killed many bad Iraqis to keep them away from me.  I just can't believe he was so close to me and I was not able to help comfort him in his time of need.  And now knowing that he can only protect me from up there hurt so much.  I know he's in a better place but how I wish he could be here with us instead.  I still can not believe I will never get to hear his voice, see his face, or hug him again.  Only time can heal all wounds, this loss.  I want to thank you everyone for your great comfort and support.  I will keep Bum Rok, his family and friends in my thoughts and prayers daily.  

Care Packages for Wounded Soldiers of Operation Iraqi Freedom

       Hello my name is Specialist Sakura Dao Pham. I am a soldier with the 2^nd Medical Brigade currently serving in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

      Currently, I am in the process of organizing a volunteer effort with the 31^st Combat Support Hospital to support and comfort soldiers who have been injured while performing their duties.During time off from my duties, I have been putting together care packages and visiting with the soldiers in the hospital.

     Many of these young soldiers are away from home for the first time in their lives, and many have suffered serious injuries.What I try to do is provide them some support, comfort, and friendship while they are recovering from their wounds.They really appreciate my time and effort to support them in their time of need.

     For those interested in helping to brighten the day of our nations wounded soldiers we are in need of the following items:

Candies (twizzlers, cream savers, jelly belly, etc)

     Chocolates(twix, kit kat, snickers, reeses peanut butter, whoppers, etc)-->>no later than mid May.

Cookies (mini oreos, chocolate chips, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, ritz crackers, crackers, etc)

     Snacks (chips, fruit snacks, granola bars, trail mix, rice crispy treats, popsicles, etc)
Toiletries(travel size: toothbrushes/pastes, mouth wash, shampoo, soap or body wash unscented, deodorants, disposable razors, shaving cream, mirrors, combs, etc...)
     Bed sheets, pillows (no feather) and pillow cases

Boxers, Shorts, T-shirts, socks, slippers, underwear(men/women)

     Magazines, playing cards, games

Small stuffed animals

     Get well cards

Small sandwich plastic bags or gift boxes.

     Any items you wish to send would be greatly appreciated by the soldiers currently serving in Iraq.A little touch or taste of home will warm a soldier's heart and aid in his or her recovery. Thank you for your support during this critical time in America's History.

Please contact me at the following

Address:  "Care Package Project"

                     SGT PHAM,  DAO

                    2^nd Medical Brigade

                   APO AE 09348

               New address:

                   " Hospital donations"

                     31st Combat Support Hospital

                     APO AE 09348

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I would like to thank each and everyone for their generous contributions and support to this project.Without great donors like you a project like this would never get off the ground.The items you have contributed will be greatly appreciated by the soldiers that I come into contact with.Please spread the word about the project your continued love and support is needed.

Corporate Donors:

_75th CES/CCF (Hill Air Force Base, UH)

_American Legion Post (Woodland Hills, CA)

_American Red Cross (IRAQ)

_Axis Personal Training (Los Altos, CA)

_Bay Partners (Cupertino, CA)

_Boy Scout Troop (360) (SIG)

_Bethlehem Community Preschool (San Diego, CA)

_Frontier School (Sacramento, CA)

_GC Ventures

_GSCP  (Vacaville, CA)

_Homestead High School (Cupertino, CA)

_Ladies Auxillary, Veterans of Foerign Wars (Galt, CA)

_MCM Concrete Inc.  (Vacaville, CA)

_Post Master 

_Plymouth Rock Corp.    (Boston, MA)

_Public School 195 (Brooklyn, NY)

_Redpoint Ventures

_Safeway (Los Altos and Mountain View, CA)

_SHC  (Honalulu, HI)

_Starbuck's (Santa Clara County, CA)

_St. Pius Choir (El Paso, TX)

_Tallwood Team (CA)

_Wal-Mart (Mountain View, CA)

_Walgreen's (Los Altos, CA)

Media:

_Armed Forces News (AFN Europe) - SGT Blackwood & CPT Greenlinger

_Los Altos Town Crier, Lauren McSherry

_Sunnyvale Sun and Cupertino Courier, Sarmishta Ramesh

Family,  friends old and new:

_My mother, father and sister.

_Mary Vendetti, Mario Vendetti and family

_Ed & Gail Wentz, Todd Anderson,  Kathie Burkepile, Laren Hubbard, Elizabeth Cruz, Brittany & Martin Greenlinger, Bruce & Jennifer Schooley, S. Biederman , C Littleton, Kathy Dowdell, Irina Zaks, Michelle Haight

_CPT Jeffrey Greenlinger, SGT David J. Renshaw,  CSM Gregory Chatman, SFC Leilani Fiorentini, MAJ James Debron, CPT Avery Browne, SGT Edward Moore, 1SG  Gregory Carper, SGT Ian Stewart, SGT Kevin Elfers, SGT Matthew Reed, SSG John Phillips, LTC Thomas Yarber, CPT Laura Ricardo, MAJ Brian Rusler

_Lucy Li, Wendy Dyer, Tracy Bell, Debbie Turner, Dana Maness, Audrey Vallen, Joji, Catherine Diederich, Ruth Perkins, Jane Cavanagh,Michelle Harvey, Michael Chavez, Stacey Holmes, Ron Yara, Karen Kmieclk, Kathy Lash, Gene Lupia, Joan C. Evans, Thomas Mitchell, Chief Moore, Judy Cheng,

-Pat & Gail Van Vranken, Robert L. Schol SR, Byron Lee, Jimmy Ting, Louise Long, Nigue Gregg, Kevin Matsing, Sakara + Kayla Lesage, D Park, Horieta Kawenwehi, Susan Williamson, Bonnie & Mark Mathison, Kelly Vaughn, Tseh-sien,

*The 31^st CSH physicians, nurses, medics  and members of the United States Armed Forces for your dedication to duty and your support. *

 ***Special thanks to Christopher Ardovino for his friendship and  inspiration for me to create the "Care Package" project.  Our chance meeting has provided me the desire and motivation to help and comfort as many soldiers as I possibly can.***

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               Thank You For Your Support

                        "Goodies" Bag

          John (American Red Cross) & Pham

        Donated Goods from Community Stores

             in Los Altos and Mountain View, CA