Welcome Home Otto!

Otto Returns from IRAQ!

February 26, 2010

Dear Friends,

Thank you very much for your support to my family during my yearlong deployment to Iraq. I am very honored to have the opportunity to serve our country during this crucial period in our nation's history – conducting the responsible drawdown of forces in Iraq while supporting the efforts in Afghanistan that will hopefully help end these conflicts sooner.

Living in solitude for a year under the threat of mortars and rockets gave me a new perspective in life. With one of those rockets landed only ninety feet from me, it has proven that your warm thoughts and prayers had kept me from harm's way. I have grown to appreciate much more of the things in life that I have taken for granted. Family, friends, and our freedom - our freedom to worship, to express our opinions, and the freedoms that we enjoy every day.

My family's sacrifice was great - but by no means alone. Over a hundred thousand troops are still serving in Iraq today and more are arriving in Afghanistan every day. They still face these dangers daily. Despite our differences of opinions, our support for our troops and their families, should never waver. I urge that you consider sending care packages to our troops, and donating to organizations that support our servicemembers – soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, and their families, such as the USO -- until every one of them come home.

I have rejoined the City Council on February 23rd and I want to especially thank Dean Chu for his outstanding service during my extended military leave. In addition, I must also thank Wilma and their daughters to support Dean’s service to Sunnyvale this past year.

I am very excited to be back to Silicon Valley to continue to serve Sunnyvale, and I look forward to meeting you and sharing “war” stories.

With deepest appreciation,

Otto Lee

Support The Troops: List of military related charitable organizations

1. Education of children of parents in the military: DonorsChoose.org
2. Assist injured service members & their families while they recuperate: www.yellowribbonfund.com
3. Assist Air Force members & their families with services i.e. finance their education: www.afas.org
4. Offers services such as Family life, recreation & fitness, medical & therapy, and education: www.asymca.org
5. AER is the Army's own emergency financial assistance organization: www.aerhq.org
6. Fisher House Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers: www.fisherhouse.org
7. Provide financial support for the dependents of U.S. military personnel lost in performance of their duty: www.fallenheroesfund.org
8. Fight for benefits & programs that strengthen & protect uniformed services families & reflect the Nation’s respect for their Service: www.militaryfamily.org
9. Financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the U.S. Naval Services, eligible family members, and survivors when in need; and to receive and manage funds to administer these programs: www.nmcrs.org

Thank you for your interest in my upcoming deployment to Iraq. I would first like to extend my appreciation of being your friend. Thank you for your endless support and encouragement.

I have been a member of the United States Navy Reserve for the past two decades and I am proud and honored to serve during this important mission for our country. This country has granted me freedoms that I otherwise may not have had and the military has provided me with opportunities to realize my potentials. I began my service on December 29, 2008. I am completing a month of combat indoctrination training, before I leave to Baghdad. The training consists of long and hard days. It will start as early as 4:30 in the morning, with fourteen hours of physical conditioning in climates and circumstances that best assimilate to Iraq and Afghanistan. It will be challenging but with your support, I know that my family will be safe at home, and I’ll be in better shape.

Furthermore, my ten years of experience as an elected official will give me a unique perspective for the work I will do in Iraq. One of our top priority tasks will be to rebuild the infrastructure of cities that have been destroyed. As a city councilmember and former mayor, I understand the needs of a city, which will be essential when rebuilding Iraq. I have a good understanding of what services are needed, such as: water, roads, sewage, public safety, waste, safe environment, and creating jobs for the local people. I hope that my experience and skill sets will be useful to help both our troops and the Iraqi people.

My seat on the Sunnyvale City Council will be temporarily filled during my absence, however I look forward to continue my service upon my return. If there should be any questions or comments about this please contact Sunnyvale’s City Clerk, Heidi Kirk at 408-730-7470.

I am sad to leave my family, but my sacrifice is not alone. Hundreds of thousands of our troops leave to war every year to serve. Our focus is to work together to help foster security in Iraq and bring all our troops back home safely and soon.

Nonetheless, I will have internet connection where I can keep communication with my family and you, my friends. I intend to send periodic updates about my life in Iraq. Please visit my website, www.ottolee.org to be added to my email list and to find out more information about my recent deployment.

Once again, I am sincerely thankful for your support and friendship. Wish me luck and keep our troops in your prayers!

Please help Otto get out of his campaign 'hole' of $180,000. Thank you for supporting Otto in IRAQ!