Care Packages for Our Soldiers and Sailors
TV ClubHouse: Archives: 2003 March:
Care Packages for Our Soldiers and Sailors
Abbynormal | Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 12:29 am     My little cousin (I call him little cause he's 21) is in Kuwait. He called this weekend and said they are in desperate need of toilet paper!! Most people (myself included) usually think of "treat" type things to send over. He also said the smokers have no cigarettes. I can't even imagine the stress level over there. |
Twinkie | Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 01:42 am     Abby, is there a specific name/address we can send stuff to the guys there? I'm a smoker so I know I'd be freaking out on top of everything else going on. Is it legal to send them cigs thru the mail? I don't know anyone at all in the military so I really have know clue how to go about these things but I'd love to help in any little way I can. |
Abbynormal | Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 09:43 am     Twinkie, we are putting together another package this week. I will ask him in the letter for a few people he might know who would enjoy something from home. I know my uncle has sent cigs so I assume it's not a problem. I will be sending some as well this time. I can not get over the toilet paper though. He said it wasn't a matter of what brand, there just wasn't any! Can you imagine? Thanks and I will definately let you know, and if he calls again soon, I will get some names. |
Willsmom | Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 07:01 am     My husband served in the Gulf War and we are currently waiting to find out where we go next and then deal with possible deployment. Any soldier would appreciate cigarettes whether they smoke or not. That is one of the biggest bargaining/exchange items a soldier can have according to my husband based on his experiences in the Gulf. I think what you all are trying to do is very commendable and I know the soldiers appreciate it, especially with such mixed opinions about the war. |
Reiki | Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 03:38 pm     Our local radio station posted a couple of sites where you can "adopt" a soldier or sailor that may not get as much mail as others. They will give the name(s) of specific service members that you can send a letter to or send a care package to. Operation Military Support Operation Enterprise - Adopt a Sailor |
Dahli | Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 03:54 pm     In World War II, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate, every evening at 9pm Eastern Time, stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, its citizens, and for peace in the world. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. Together, we "CAN" make a difference!! Thank You, and God Bless America! |
Ginger1218 | Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 08:12 pm     I just signed up to adopt a few soldiers to write to. |
Bandit | Friday, March 21, 2003 - 08:23 am     I just signed up too. But I felt bad picking one ship! I don't care which ship it is! BTW, Thanks, Reiki for putting that up! |
Staceyinpa | Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 07:08 am     Just an FYI everyone.. (and I'm sorry to say that I can't find any details) One of the news tickers this morning was broadcasting that it is being asked that no more care packages be sent to our soldiers. Only letters. I don't know if they are becoming overwhelmed or if there was some sort of security breach. I can't seem to find any details on any of the news websites... They said that letters and cards are still ok tho. If anyone can find more information, please post it.. I am curious myself, as I just adopted a soldier and sent my first care-package last week. I'm in the process of assmebling another, and I'm not sure if it is only certain areas.. or a general "ban" Sorry, I can't offer more details. Stacey |
Ginger1218 | Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 07:16 am     I still have not heard from them about this. I registered, but nobody has contacted me yet. |
Staceyinpa | Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 08:20 am     I Found more info: Troop support mail policy stressed March 26, 2003 To bolster force protection, the general public is urged not to send unsolicited mail, care packages or donations to service members forward deployed unless you are a family member, loved one or personal friend. On Oct. 30, 2002, the Department of Defense (DoD) suspended the "Operation Dear Abby" and "Any Service Member" mail programs due to force protection concerns. Although these programs provide an excellent means of support to friends and loved ones stationed overseas, they also provide an avenue to introduce hazardous substances or materials into the mail system from unknown sources. Unsolicited mail, packages and donations from organizations and individuals also compete for limited airlift space used to transport supplies, war-fighting materiel and mail from family and loved ones. Recently, DoD has become aware of organizations and individuals who continue to support some form of the "Any Service Member" program by using the names and addresses of individual service members and unit addresses. These programs are usually supported by well-intentioned, thoughtful and patriotic groups who are simply unaware of the new risks facing deployed military forces. Some individuals and groups publicize the names and addresses of service members, ships or units on Web sites, with good intentions. The result, however, is a potential danger to the troops they wish to support. DoD cannot support creative and well-intentioned efforts that defeat force protection measures, but can instead recommend alternatives to mail and donation programs. To show support to troops overseas, the following are recommended: * Log on to the following Web sites to show support, to include greeting cards, virtual Thank You cards and calling card donations to help troops stay in contact with loved ones: http://www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html http://www.usocares.org/home.htm http://www.army.mil/operations/iraq/faq.html * Visit Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and nursing homes. Volunteer your services to honor veterans who served in past conflicts. Mail from family members and loved ones has always been encouraged and the military mail system will continue to work hard to get that mail to service members overseas. |
Faerygdds | Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 08:45 am     Last I heard (which was abotu 2 weeks ago...) they had JUST gotten thier Valentines Day Mail... so they are stressed to the limit mail wise. |
Whit4you | Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 06:08 pm     Gueess I'm lucky - here in Spokane the local fire departments are collecting care packages and they are being sent over seas. They already sent a ton and are doing it again. The requirements here - they have to be in a 1 gallon see through baggie - and they listed off some things you can't send (anything that will easily melt for example) anyhow I'm having fun I have 4 baggies and am filling them. The trick for me is thinking of tiny things that will all mean something. Because I think 20 little things would mean more than say filling it with 4 pair of socks you know? I read on Lt Smash's site that they were thrilled to have some spices - so each of the four packages is going to contain a few spices - each with a different 3 spices in case this all goes to the same unit (It's possible if all 4 of my baggies get thrown into the same box ya know?) So I figure if I send 3 spices in each of the four packages they'll have 12 new spices in their unit. I also have about 50 hotel sample bottles of various shampoos / conditioners / soaps etc... going to put 10 or so of those in each of the baggies. A deck of cards, an 8 pack of dice, some pens and those tiny notebooks in each (this so they can play dice games / card games and use the little notebooks to keep score. I'm going to print out a list I have of card games / dice games for them as well and inclose in each of the baggies. And a pk of AA batteries, of course. I only have till Monday to do this - they are sending the next set out sometime next week so I'll be busy. I'm going to print the card / dice games list out in condensened print so I can fit them all on 3 pages... (front and back) I am hoping to get ahold of a friend of mine who sells Avon - she has tons of the cologne samples in those little flat packages - I could buy 40 of those at her cost - around 5 bucks, and enclose 10 in each baggie... Truth is though the baggies are already almost full but I'm pretty creative... grin - I'm thinking of all the tiny things I can still enclose, like eyedrops and tweezers, etc. This is fun - and all told I don't think I will be spending more than 30 bucks. (Most of the cost is for the spices, and I am getting those at 97c each from a sell at General Store) I'm debating on if I should send my relaxation CDs (Ocean waves/ sounds of the rainforest etc... CDs won't take up that much more room I could put 3 in one CD case... but what if there is no CD player in the camp... ya know? Anyhow this is fun - I only wish I had more time. But I want to be sure this first set of 4 goes out with the next shipment. I think they'll be doing it again so if you are having a hard time finding someone in your area that does this. Perhaps you can work on making these 1 gallon zip lock baggy packages and sending it to the fire dept in Spokane Wa.? |
Heyltslori | Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 08:34 pm     I have a friend Bob who is aboard the USS Constellation which is right now in the Persian Gulf. Today is his birthday! (March 27th...but it's already the 27th over there) I think it would be cool if you took a minute and sent him a happy birthday message. Thanks! CondrenR@constellation.navy.mil |
Pamy | Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 09:22 pm     Just thought I would add...if you send him Bday wishes don't send big files(like pics, etc)My friend's fiance told her that big file emails take up alot of space and they are telling the guys to get the word out about sending a bunch of pics etc. |
Heyltslori | Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 09:56 pm     thanks Pamy! |
Ladytex | Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 06:24 am     The USO has a website set up for donations for care packages, if anyone is interested. They have a list of things that are included. Operation Care Package |
Bandit | Monday, March 31, 2003 - 10:46 am     Sorry, this is kinda long, but I thought it was wonderful and wanted to share it with all of you: The Infantryman The average age of the Infantryman is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either. He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm Howitzers. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime. He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body whileat rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. |
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