When Sgt. Jeremy Profitt arrived in Iraq for his first tour of duty, he told his mom he felt like he wasn't supported by his nation. Sindy Biederman responded to her son by starting American Canyon Troop Support, working out of her home to send care packages to American troops deployed around the world.

"We bring them a little bit of home ... they're in a place that's totally foreign and when they get that little bit of familiarity it does a lot for them mentally," said Biederman.

Since Biederman started ACTS in April 2003 she has been in contact with more than 143 servicemen and women. About 95 percent of the troops that receive packages from ACTS are from Napa County or have relatives in Napa County, Biederman said. The organization relies entirely on volunteers and donations of products and money.

Once a month, Biederman sends out 12-by-15-inch boxes filled with goodies and reminders of home. In late January, she sent Valentine's Day care packages, filled with candy and letters of support from children and adults.

Biederman says that the appreciative and humbled responses from soldiers is what motivates her. She asks that when those of us in civilian life see a serviceman or servicewoman, we take the time to shake their hands and thank them for their service. Below are several letters from soldiers who have received packages from ACTS:

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone is doing great! We here in Afghanistan are doing ok. It is cold here now, in the 30's. All of our guys are doing good. We have put up a little tree that some very nice lady sent me! :) We are here waiting for Santa. If he does come by I will take some pictures and send them to you. I am sorry for not getting back to everyone sooner but I was out for 3 weeks! Thanks everyone for all the letters, books, candies, prayers and everything else you do for us!!!

Eli Rodriguez

Task Force Alamo 3-141

Senior Personnel SGT

Bagram, Afghanistan

Dear American Canyon's finest,

My name is Captain Luke McConnell and I have the responsibility and great honor of being the company commander for Kilo Company, 3d Battalion, RCT-2, also known as Spartan. I want to take the opportunity to thank you for the overwhelming kindness and generosity that the American Canyon Troop Support has extended to our Marines. It is Americans like you that make us, the U.S. Marines, want to excel and represent the great ideals and values that we hold dear around the world. It is our greatest honor to represent wonderful American's like you on foreign soil and on the battlefield.

I can tell you that your Marines are working very hard to set the conditions in Iraq that will enable long-term stability and freedom. The Iraqi people are not as different from us as the television often reflects. They are easy to make smile and laugh. The Iraqi children are beautiful and treat candy like little treasures. And they are interested and becoming fascinated by the prospect of freedom. It is concept as foreign to you and I as living under a dictator for thirty years. And the Iraqi people are scared at times because they are threatened by an enemy who is without morals and is desperate. That being said, it is not lost on even our youngest 18 year old Marine that winning American's war on terror will bring lasting peace around the world. Ultimately, all but our enemy has the same goal in mind and we will not falter in the clashing of spears.

Thanks for all that you have done for us. Your care package was wonderful and brought a smile to the face of our Marines. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Please know that we spend our days and nights trying to be worthy of those prayers. We feel that we represent the will of American and that is a challenging legacy to live up to, but with your support, we are strengthened and inspired. Thank you.

I am also especially touched by the enduring loyalty that American Canyon has demonstrated regarding 3d Battalion, 1st Marines. Knowing that Phillip West was one of your own as he was a brother of ours, we thank you. Because I am from just up the road (Napa), I am especially proud to know of such support from our neck of the woods. We wish you and yours all the best. Your support and prayers mean the world to us and are immeasurable. Again, this is where we need to be and it is our greatest honor. Merry Christmas from the Middle East.

Semper Fidelis,

Luke M. McConnell

Captain, USMC.

To all my friends at American Canyon Troop Support,

Thank you so very much for all you have sent to us and the support you have shown. I am Gunnery Sergeant Mike Murcia and the platoon sergeant in Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. We have been in Hadithah, Iraq, for three months now, and as the holidays approach, we find it heartwarming and uplifting to hear and see your support from back home. You've sent so much! I of course ensured my entire platoon of 46 men each got a hold of everything you sent. Thank you.

Your letters and prayers are so deeply appreciated. In military towns, people sometimes become numb to military guys like us. It is so overwhelming and humbling to hear and see so much effort you make and time you take to think of us. Thank you.

We have suffered some losses, and I ask you to pray for Megan Murray and her son Ian Murray of Revenna, Ohio. Sergeant Jeremy Murray was lost on 16 November 2005. I also ask that you pray for the health of 2nd Lieutenant James Geiger and Lance Corporals Nate Heller, Larry Johnson and Preston Perkins, all recovering from injuries sustained here in our fight. They are heroes and their stories aren't told on CNN or in books or in movies. They remain unnamed heroes, who have sacrificed more than an average American can comprehend. Thank you for your prayers and I ask you to continue. Thank you.

As for the rest of us left here to finish the job, we remain strong because of folks like you. My Marines remain strong and focused because they know they are fighting for you at home. Your letters and packages remind them of that. Thank you.

I will end with a thought which is embedded in our minds there and might set all of your minds a little easierSfor a Marine, the only thing worse than being here, doing our duty, in a foreign land, fighting a difficult war, during the holidays isS.not being here.

Yours truly,

Gunnery Sergeant Mike Murcia

Dear Sindy Biederman

On behalf of the 3rd Radio Battalion here at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, I thank you and the city of American Canyon. Thank you for your support, prayers and not to mention the cookies. They were great, the guys love them.

The Christmas tree brings a Christmas atmosphere around here. The tree is located by the duty desk. Speaking of Christmas, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I think we're going to decorate the duty area for Christmas. I will send you photos after we're done decorating.

Once again, thank you.

Sincerely

David S. Puy

Dear American Canyon Troop Support,

I thank all of you for the Christmas treats you sent. It definitely brightened my day when I received the box after returning to my office from a morning mission. I shared the treats with the soldiers I work with and they enjoyed them also. Thank you again from all of us at the Civilian Military Operations Center and Resident Engineer Office at Camp Duke.

Terence S. McCabe, SMSgt, USAF (Iraq)

I would like to tell you how much I appreciate the care packages you sent me, it means a lot to know so many people care about us.

SSG Petty (Iraq)

American Canyon Troop Support can be reached at P.O. Box 10097, American Canyon, CA 94503. Call 319-7677 or e-mail acts511@comcast.net.at little bit of familiarity it does a lot for them mentally," said Beiderman.

Since Beiderman started ACTS in April 2003 she has been in contact with over 143 servicemen and women. About 95 percent of the troops that receive packages from ACTS are from Napa County or have relatives in Napa County. The organization runs solely off volunteers and donations of products and money.

Once a month Beiderman sends a 12 inch by 15 inch box filled with goodies and reminders of home. Last week, she sent a Valentine's Day care package, filled with candy and letters of support from children and adults.

Beiderman says that the appreciative and humbled responses from soldiers is what motivates her. Below are several letters from soldiers who have received packages from ACTS.