Uncle Mike from Carson City, NV is taking donations to purchase Vortex Flash Eliminators at a discount from SEI and send them to our troops for FREE.
If you want to help out, he can be contacted by email at unclemikeccnv@sbcglobal.net, or by phone at 775-884-4430.
To find out more about this effort, or to donate online with PayPal, visit his page on myspace.
The following are emails from in country.
Below are some emails sent to Uncle Mike from troops in the field who are very appreciative of the generosity of those who donated and of Uncle Mike.
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 05:54:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: More Vortex coming...
To: Mike McElfish
Uncle Mike,
I have to say the care packages you sent to our company are by far one of the greatest and most helpful items we ever received from anyone. We all greatly appreciate you taking the time and sending these flash suppressors to us. I have informed my platoon leader of your next shipment and he is very thankful. Our Executive Officer CPT Bell had each platoon draw an M14 from the armsroom and dedicated one soldier from each platoon to be their sniper. Of course each M14 was equipped with your flash suppressors, they were tested out and they are perfect for our daily missions. Again I greatly appreciate your support and will be looking forward to equipping my weapon with one. We all are doing great out here, and our overall mission on making Iraq a better place is beginning to finally take place. We have driven 65% of all insurgents out of our Battalion's battle space and 89% of them out of our Company battle space alone. There is still a few bad guys running around but not much of a huge threat. We deprived the insurgent of their resources by making over 80 villages in our companies Area of Operation a better place for them. Then achieving respect and honor from the local national's which resulted in capture of many High Value Targets and pushing the small ones out. I feel you should be aware of what were doing out here considering your thoughts for us, I hope all is well with you back at home and thanks again.
Sincerly,
SGT Cabrera, Rafael (name altered for privacy)
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Subject: counterfeit Vortex on M-240 in Khandahar with the 101st ABN....
Mike,
The U.S. Army is the only Chinook operator left in the world that does not mount the 7.62 mini-gun. We run with the M-240 which I noticed yesterday has a flash suppressor that resembles your product. I brief my gunners when on night missions to only shoot when they observe effective fire, which means the enemy already sees us, in order that we don't give our position away. During the day we'll shoot at all threats. So far we haven't had the problem your cousin and his unit had. We have a cavalry troop with us which is tearing the enemy up. They don't get too many chances to engage the Chinooks.
I appreciate your offer, and will ask around. It's wonderful to hear from a real American instead of the "sheep" that are more worried about baseball players and steroids than they are the war. We can hardly watch the news here, if we do we are in disbelief or disgusted.
Loyd
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From: Mike McElfish
Date: Friday, April 4, 2008 3:40
Subject: Thanks for reffering me...
To: Justin MIL USA FORSCOM XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Justin,
CPT XXXXXXXX reffered your XO, CPT XXXXXXXXX, to inquire about the "Vortex" flash eliminators. We have sent 31 more to the XXXX IN, some of the guys have written and CPT XXXXXXXX sent a great photo. It seems that they can use a lot more and we will not let them down.
Justin I really appreciate your help and I still want to suppress your M-24, anyway thanks to you we are still going forward, and it feels sooo good!
You're Great Man!!
Forever Grateful,
Uncle Mike
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Hey Mike,
I ran into those guys at a different base and thy inquired about my weapon (i have all the bells and whistles on it including a Gemtech suppressor on it) i went on to tell them aobut the vortex and the testing we've done on them to which they are impressed (they are the BN reconnaissance PLT standard now) Well those guys from Cco had a pretty bad engagement where guys couldn't fire back B/c that would of givin away their location so i recommended them to you. If those guys had Vortexes that night i probably would have less friends in the hospital now.
Ive been extremely busy and short handed i owe Mr. XXXXX at Remington an email that i cant write due to time constraints but here is his email: XXXXXXX@remington.com he is the head of the M-24 program. Great guy also. Is there a NSN for the vortexes as of now? pherhapps we could get the unit to bulk order them. Well i have some mission planning to do ill be talking to you.
V/R
Sgt. Justin XXXXXXXXXXXX
Sniper TL
Battalion Recce Platoon
HHC XXXXXX IN
"Death as Promised"
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Mike,
I'm the Maintenance Test Pilot for the Pachyderms. We replaced the "Flippers" in January. We found the box of Vortex Flash Eliminators you sent. I shot a reflexive fire range with the Pathfinder Platoon yesterday for the second time. The first time I used the issue flash suppressor on my M4, yesterday I used yours. I'm sold! I passed several out to the Air Cav unit, as well as the Pathfinders.
After 120 days of operations in Afghanistan our task force has been involved in operations responsible for over 110 enemy casualties.
Thanks for your support, the letter was a big help.
There is a large black plywood Chinook hanging over our door with CW2 Rodgers name on the aft pylon.
CW4 XXXXXXXXXX
USA
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From: jimmy xxxxxxxxxx
To: unclemikeccnv@sbcglobal.net
Subject: pics
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 16:10:54 -0600
Uncle Mike,
Here is what those guys were talkin about above the flight planning room in Khandahar. Enjoy
Jimmy
FLIPPERS RULE!!
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Mike,
The second package arrived on the 7th of April. Everything works great. The SAW ones were the right ones. Thanks so much. If you want to send more we have a total of 18 SAWs, 8 240B and 117 M4s. Everything you send will be greatly appreciated. I am traveling right now. As soon as I get back I will take another picture of all the stuff and send it. The guys love the suppressors. Thanks again.
A Grateful Soldier,
Dave XXXXXXXX
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Mike,
Thank you for the box that you sent. I have been able to give away all but a small few.
The first and fastest ones to go were for the M4s. As we are loading up guys to transport them to another FOB I try and catch the guys that look like they are actually out in the country and pass a few out to them. I kept one for myself and almost got to use it when we made a crash landing back on the 12th. Everyone walked away but we were on the ground for almost 2 hours. We had our goggles on and I felt safe knowing that if I had to fire my weapon,the new suppressor would not shut down the goggles as much as the old one.
I will gladly receive another box and continue passing them out to the guys that I see.
Thanks as always,
Brian
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Mr. McElfish,
I am the XO for C CO XXXX IN. My Commander Captain XXXXXXXXXXX spoke with SGT Justin XXXXXXXXX of our HHC Scout Platoon and he said you sold them some reasonably priced flash suppressors. What are you prices and do you know how SGT XXXXXXXX got the suppressors funded/paid for? We are interested in acquiring between 9 and 12.
CPT XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dear Captain XXXXXXXXXXX,
I am a Gold Star uncle and a double Blue Star father, I started the Uncle Mike Project in Honor and Memory of my nephew, CW2 Joshua Rodgers 82ND, KIA 30 May 2007.
I collect contributions from your fellow Americans who, like I, want to help out where Josh left off. "Uncle Mike" donates these Smith Enterprise "Vortex" flash eliminators to deployed soldiers and marines. All I ask is for some input from the guys as to the performance of the Vortex and the value of this device in the field. Other than that all I need to know is how many of which type is needed and I will send them to you. I have M4, M249, M14, and M-240B in stock and you can check the Smith Enterprise website for a complete list of available suppressors. I will send another e-mail titled Save A Soldiers Life as soon as I tell you thank you very much for allowing us to help you guys out. It is an honor and a privledge, as well as my duty, to help you to be safe and succesful.
God Bless You All!!
Mike McElfish
Uncle Mike
Carson City, Nevada
Mr. McElfish,
All I can say is WOW! You are a fine American. I don't know what to say. I really didn't expect this. In my job as an Executive Officer I am responsible for supplying the Soldiers in my company with the things that they need. As I believe you are aware that can often be a very challenging path to negotiate. I don't know what is appropriate to ask for...
My intent was to find a way to purchase 3 M4 Suppressors per platoon (we have 3 platoons), that's one per squad in order to have a flash suppressed weapon as an option for each squad. We do have 5 M14s that I would like to suppress as well. I am extremely humbled by your generosity and that of those that are helping you. If you could provide us with 9 M4 and 5 M14 suppressors that would be great. Even one would be great!
Again thank you for the amazing way you are showing your support for those of us over here.
My APO is: XXXXXXXX XXXXXX C CO XXXX IN, FOB Warrior
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Uncel Mike,
We just got another 40 M4 suppressors and 4 more 240B suppressors from you! You are the greatest! Thanks so much. I am traveling again, but once I get back to the Patrol Base I will get a picture off to you.
Thanks so much.
Dave
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Dear sir,
first and foremost i want to express my condolences for your nephew. many people would take a tragedy such as that and have some good come out of it. on behalf of everyone here i want to say thank you for the shipment of vortexes. given the nature of what we do and in the small teams we work in something like the vortex may give us a couple additional seconds to break contact with out hajj knowing where we are and maneuvering on us, these may in fact save numerous lives of my teammates. well thank you again, we have very limited internet time so i am going to cut this shot so i can write my family and let them know i am doing well. thank you again if theres anything we can do for you please dont hesitate to ask.
thank you again,
J H
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Dear Uncle Mike,
I wanted to thank you for the Vortex Flash Suppressor you donated to me.
Currently I am in Afghanistan serving with 1 of those bearded guy units. I wanted to let you know my unit received a number of the suppressors and they are actually being utilized engaging the enemy in the field. Thanks for the support and Thank you America.
Soldier
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Uncle Mike,
Thanks your awesome, as for other types you mentioned are there any made for the M-2 .50 cal?I know they dont have anything threaded on the end but maybe theres one that clamps onto the barrel? Thanks for the extras you sent with the Vortex the jerky sticks are so good. One things we usealot out here are baby wipes.
Like the "ToGo" packs that you can just throw in an assault pack because we are off the FOB running missions where there are no showers available.
Thats funny to hear about your son because many of us including me spent a ton of money in Korea but I was also able to save a lot to with the extra amounts the army gives you.
As for my dad he lives in Corona, CA. He appreciates what you are doing greatly and will probably be donating here soon. I know my sister is, I was gone on mission for a couple days but I bet she sent a donation out. Ill have to check on that one.
I will make sure the guys who I have given a vortex to write you. I know that they work pretty good I actually used my M-4 with the Vortex the night before last and I liked what I saw or well didnt see. There was a Humvee sitting down the route from me about 100ms away and he didnt see a thing.
Dustin
Nov 3, 2007
Received via email
Hey Uncle Mike, Its (XXXX MPCo). Adam told me that he sent you a message that good. I shouldnt need more than 6 for now but if anyone needs them ill have them shoot you am email. Thank you so much for the .50cal on i cant wait to try it. As far and the fires go, my dad was on a 24hr standby for evacuation but it was later canceled. Thank God because he just moved in to a new home but I think there containing the fires pretty well. Thank you for everything and the support you give is greatly appreciated, its above and beyond and that is what counts. We need more people like yourself who are out there acting in support. Its makes being over here not so bad to know that its not just us over here seeing the good happenings. Take care and God bless,
Dustin
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Uncle Mike,
My name is Lt. Frank Axxxxxxxn, I'm replying on Ryan's account. I'm the battalion Scout platoon leader here on FOB Summerall. First I want to thank you for the support you're giving us. I currently have two of your flash supressors on a pair of M4's in my sniper section. They were used during an engagement in our area against some would-be IED emplacers. My guys were impressed and were wondering if we could talk you out of 21 more of them. I also have 3 M249 SAW's allocated to my platoon. Rest assured that your products have been used in combat by my boys and they are effective. Again, I'd like to say thanks for the support.
-Frank
It's the 26th and I just sent your 2nd package. There are no m240's in the box but there are 30 m249's and 1 50 cal plus some jerky for you as well as some gum too. I also sent 18 dog tag flashlights with red LED. I will order more Vortex as soon as I get a list, I want to send what they need the most.
I hope everything is alright as I haven't heard from you in a while, take care of yourself bro.
Uncle Mike
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I am still waiting for the first one but the people who want these are piling up. As soon as I get them I will get them to the field. We appreciate all you are doing.
MJ
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I would like to start off by telling you Thank you. It's people like you that make me proud of what I do here. I'm sorry to hear what has happened to you and your family.
I'm almost 24....In 7 days none the less. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters. I joined the army when I was 22. I'm an E-4. Been in for almost 2 1/2 years.I'mwith the 10th MTN Div, 1-87th INF Cco 2nd Plt.I felt that I needed to do my part and help out in this war. I'm not really that good at writing things. I never know what to say.
This flash suppressor will more then help out for what we do. We do a lot of night missions. That's one thing that we don't want to do, is give our position away. Again I just want to thank you for what you do.
God bless you as well,
Ken
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Uncle Mike,
shit, those flash suppressors work unbelievably well. we tested them out in the begining of the month while we were away at our mountain outpost (also the reason for such a late reply - the 1st half of the month i am always out of touch). that a top class product.
yeah, SSG Ralph is one our our sniper team leaders - i have been giving the suppressors to him and his guys as the are most likely to benefit from their use - in hide sites etc.
In my paltoon we have 4xM249 squad automatic weapons, 3xM240B 2xM-14's. we have enough M-4 suppressors, but like i said before Uncle Mike please dont go out of your way.
we had a half decent firefight the other day, we recieved 2 RPG's and over 1000 rounds of AK-47 against my squad. we returned fire but had a weapons malfunction on the MK 19. we came out alright, but missed the opportuntiy to bring the pain to those mother fuckers with the MK 19 - next time they wont be so lucky.
Thanks for everything Uncle Mike, and watch out for the monthly update comming in a few days.
SSG XXXXXXXXX
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Uncle Mike,
I have to say thecare packagesyou sent to our company are by far one of the greatest and most helpful items we ever received from anyone. We all greatly appreciate you taking the time and sending these flash suppressors to us. I have informed my platoon leader of your next shipment and he is very thankful.
Our Executive Officer CPT XXXXX had each platoon draw an M14 from the armsroom and dedicated one soldier from each platoon to be their sniper. Of course each M14 was equipped with your flash suppressors, they were tested out and they are perfect for our daily missions. Again I greatly appreciate your support and will be looking forward to equipping my weapon with one.
We all are doing great out here, and ouroverall mission on making Iraqa better place is beginning to finally take place. We have driven 65% of all insurgents out ofour Battalion'sbattle space and 89% of them out of ourCompany battle space alone.
There is stilla few bad guys running around but not much ofa huge threat.
We deprived the insurgent of their resources by making over 80 villages in our companies Area of Operation a better place for them. Then achieving respect and honor from the local national'swhich resulted in capture ofmany High Value Targets and pushing the small ones out.Ifeel you should be aware of what were doing out here considering your thoughts for us, I hope all is wellwith youback at home andthanks again.
Sincerly,
SGT XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX
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My name is SSG XXXXXXXX. I am writing to express my thanks for sending the flash suppressor. I am glad to see that there are still people that support the men and women fighting overseas. I and everyone here thank you and all your Prayers and thoughts for us.
If there is anything you would like and we are able to get or do for you please ask and I will do my best to see that it is done. Again Thank you very much for the gift, it will be used very very well.
SSG XXXXXXXXXX
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Uncle Mike,
Thank you so much. I really appreciate all that you have put into this product and all that you have done to put the right gear into the hands of the soldier. I can't believe that your company, through the deeds of it's employees, owner and support can send out that many Flash Suppressors to soldiers in need. It is truly an amazing achievement and you should be commended for it. There are many, many companies out there that seek profit from soldiers trying to get the best gear when their lives depend on it. It's truly a breath of fresh air to come across a company such as yours. I have already begun telling everyone I know about your mission. I have forwarded your email and the videos to all of my family and Friends at home and they have promised to begin sending money for your cause and also letting other people know of your mission. My whole FOB is carrying mainly M4's, (we have one M249 SAW, and one M14, on the trucks we run with M240 B's.) Even discounted prices for these products would be much appreciated, if you can't send the 6 you mentioned for the M4's.
Thanks again for all the help. It's nice to have support from people such as yourself back home. it makes a tough job easier.
Take care.
Sincerely,
Sean X XXXXXXXXXX
"If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." -Thomas Paine
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Sir,
As far as support, well take anything. We are a specialized unit that we buy the majority of our equipment. WE need things such as: Netting for windows Good camera tripods (leupold) Stools that telescope pretty high for hide sites good weapons cleaning solvents and lubes, bore snakes jerky and power bars, food thats small and has alot of nutrition books and magizenes pretty much anything you guys would like i can get a list from guys around but anything you think we could use, we probably will.
the m249 flash suppressors do not fit the short barrels, im handing them off to a line platoon do you guys have ones that fit short barreled saws? ill take as many m4 vortexes as possible i use one on my m14 and i love it (picture attached for a counter sniper mission a couple days ago, thats me on the gun) i passed out the email address for guys to get back to you i hope they will but we are constantly out on mission so please bear with us if theres anything else i can do to help your cause please let me know i really appreciate all you have done for us and people throughout the services im sure in doing what you have it has saved many lives, especially in the first minute when we initiate contact
for hajj to not know exactly where we are means he cant accurately shoot back and we can kill them faster and more effectively, and all of us here go back to our families. again sir thanks alot if theres anything you need, and promotional stuff ie: vortexes in action whatever ill do what i can to help you out because you have so immensely helped us, thank you
XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX sniper TL
will be in touch.
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I would like to take a minute of your time and thank you for everything thatyou are doing for our/your troops. There isnt to many of the citizens that reallygive a shit for what we are doing over hrere. And what little support that we get is really uplifting. I am currently serving my first tour in Afghanistan, and I am greatful for what you are doing, and you are making a diffrence. I have just recieved the flash supresser for my m249(SAW). Thank you.I will be sending your email out to see if it will help you.
Thanks,
SPC. XXXXXXXXXXX
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well when you do what we do its part of life. i hat to say it but at the point ive lost enough friends and attended enough memorials that its just going through the motions. I feel aweful for the soldiers familys but it increases our resolve to reduce the enemy population. we were able to take out another team last night, partialy due to the vortexes their fire was unaimed and they couldnt figure out where we were shooting from thus we didnt take any casualties. would it be possible to get more M4 vortexes? well sir we appreciate your support and thanks for thinking about us.
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Hey uncle mike, sorry i havenr responded but my yahoo email is not working from my computer. I cant click on any of the buttons (relply/delete/forward etc) so I had to find another computer to use. Thanks so much for sending out the package I cant wait to use the vortexs. I actually took out 3 or 4 insurgents today that were shooting at us and some IA (Iraqi Army)and IP(Iraqi police). There was 1 IA soldier injured but i think is going to be ok. As far as whatyour friend does thats awesome and I think thats great how generous he is but we are set and Ithink that there are soldiers out here who would need his help more than us. Thank you though.
Were out in the middle of nowhere (26miles from Iran) but most of the guys here get the big things they need of the internet. We have trouble getting personal hygeine item though such as body wash and shampoo.
I do feel kind of wierd asking you guys but I know that you want to help.
Thank you very much.
XXXXXXXXXX
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Sir,
Merry christmas to you as well. Hope you, and your family is having a great day. We lost one of our soldiers from our task force a couple days ago, and many more wounded. So it makes it that much easier to give you the present of reducing the terrorist population up here. the vortexes are awesome, quite incredible how much flash it reduces. I appreciate your support and will be in touch.
XXXXXXXXXX
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If you want to help out, Uncle Mike can be contacted by email at unclemikeccnv@sbcglobal.net, or by phone at 775-884-4430.
To find out more about this effort, or to donate online with PayPal, visit his page on myspace.
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