---
id: "20261021_gb-semper-fidelis-a-marine-battalion-thanks"
title: "Semper Fidelis: A Marine Battalion Thanks Daniel Comp for an Iraq Care Package, 2003"
category: "Formation"
keypoints:
  - "On 4 Jun 2003, Lt Col M. F. Belcher, commanding 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, thanked Daniel Comp, his family and his coworkers for a care package during Operation Iraqi Freedom."
  - "Letterhead: 'UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS / 3D BATTALION, 7TH MARINES (REIN) / 1ST MARINE DIVISION (REIN) FMF / UIC 39774 / FPO AP 96424-9774'"
  - "'IN REPLY REFER TO: 1000 / S-1 / 4 Jun 2003'"
  - "Addressed: 'Daniel Comp / [street address] / San Antonio, TX 78258'"
summary: "On 4 Jun 2003, Lt Col M. F. Belcher, commanding 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, thanked Daniel Comp, his family and his coworkers for a care package during Operation Iraqi Freedom."
description: "On 4 Jun 2003, Lt Col M. F. Belcher, commanding 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, thanked Daniel Comp, his family and his coworkers for a care package during Operation Iraqi Freedom."
tags:
  - "witness-mark"
  - "portfolio"
  - "evidence"
  - "daniel-comp"
agent: "gb"
voice: "gb"
created: "2026-10-21T22:50:00Z"
updated: "2026-10-21T22:50:00Z"
date: "2026-10-21"
pipeline_filename: "GB_semper-fidelis-a-marine-battalion-thanks-daniel-comp-for-an-iraq-care-package-2003.md"
source_kind: "authored"
lane: "Formation"
corpus_topic: "Formation"
content_status: "approved"
approved_by_daniel: "APPROVED for all posts (Daniel, GB chat, 2026-10-21 3:48 PM PT)"
author: "GB, Silicon Director of Operations, Intelligent Netware, for Daniel Comp"
image_stem: "usmc-3-7-marines-belcher-thank-you-letter"
canonical_url: "https://danielcomp.com/a/semper-fidelis-a-marine-battalion-thanks-daniel-comp-for-an-iraq-care-package-2003.html"
share_url: "https://danielcomp.com/a/semper-fidelis-a-marine-battalion-thanks-daniel-comp-for-an-iraq-care-package-2003.html"
asker_site: "danielcomp.com"
---

# Semper Fidelis: A Marine Battalion Thanks Daniel Comp for an Iraq Care Package, 2003

**Claim supported:** On 4 Jun 2003, Lt Col M. F. Belcher, commanding 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, thanked Daniel Comp, his family and his coworkers for a care package during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

[![USMC letter from 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, dated 4 June 2003, signed by Lt Col M. F. Belcher, thanking Daniel Comp](/i/media/usmc-3-7-marines-belcher-thank-you-letter.jpg)](/i/usmc-3-7-marines-belcher-thank-you-letter.html)
*USMC 3d Battalion, 7th Marines Thank-You Letter. Image: Daniel Comp's own portfolio, photographed by Daniel.*

## The story
A care package is a small thing to send and a large thing to receive. In the spring of 2003, a care package went from San Antonio to the Marines and Sailors of 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, then serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On June 4, 2003, the battalion's commanding officer wrote back on United States Marine Corps letterhead.

Lt Colonel M. F. Belcher wrote that "more important than the contents of the package, is the knowledge that some one back home is thinking about us." He signed it by hand, over "Semper Fidelis!"

The letter thanks Daniel's "family and your coworkers," and that wording stays as printed. Daniel's account is that he doesn't recall anyone beyond himself and Angelina, and that the two of them donated the package.

The letter means more coming from a fellow serviceman's family. Daniel's December 1987 résumé records his own Navy service: "2nd Class Petty Officer - U.S.S. Goldsborough, U.S.N., Pearl Harbor," from 1974, and "24 mo. Naval Nuclear Power School." Daniel's account is that this letter is a witness to his veteran-services work in Texas, after he met Angelina and likely during the MOMtrepreneurs years.

## What the page shows
- Letterhead: "UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS / 3D BATTALION, 7TH MARINES (REIN) / 1ST MARINE DIVISION (REIN) FMF / UIC 39774 / FPO AP 96424-9774"
- "IN REPLY REFER TO: 1000 / S-1 / 4 Jun 2003"
- Addressed: "Daniel Comp / [street address] / San Antonio, TX 78258"
- Letter, exactly: "Dear Daniel / I would like to express my deepest appreciation to your family and your coworkers for your generous support of the Marines and Sailors of 3rd Battalion 7th Marines. The care package you sent to the Marines and Sailors is truly appreciated. More important than the contents of the package, is the knowledge that some one back home is thinking about us. / The support you provided is a symbol of hope, inspiring us to serve the nation with pride and honor. Your simple gesture of caring makes the many sacrifices worth enduring. The men of our Battalion are truly proud to serve, knowing we make the world a safer place for you and your families to grow and prosper. No words can describe the loyalty that your actions have inspired in us during Operation Iraqi Freedom. / Thank you again for your outstanding support. / Semper Fidelis! / [signature] / M. F. BELCHER / Lt Colonel USMC / Commanding"

## Address decision
The street line of the home address is blurred in this copy, keeping "San Antonio, TX 78258." The city alone shows the Texas tie.

## Not yet documented
Some details in this story are still being confirmed with Daniel and will be added as the evidence comes in.