Join My "Drugs For Soldiers" Drive??

[K8-EEE]

I don't know if I mentioned that I have been sending stuff to soldiers through a site called Books For Soldiers. Basically they let the soldiers post their military address in Iraq or Afghanistan and you can send books, DVDs, snacks or just letters or postcards.

Some of them have internet access and like to chat. There has been a marked change in the tone of the correspondence over the last year. Where they were just homesick in the beginning -- now the mood is more of depression and despair.

The things they ask for -- I cannot believe the military is not providing them. If anybody would like to send something to this guy -- I am sending a big bottle of Excedrin PM but it won't go far with this many soldiers (130 - 160.) This is cut & pasted from the Books for Soldiers site.

It is amazing to me that for all the hot air about "supporting the troops" I get much more help with these projects from my liberal friends...and Michael Moore also made 1,000 copies of his book available to the troops, it is frequently requested. These poor guys are Shrub's front-line victims.

Please note that if you mail them something, you have to go to the P.O. and fill out a customs form. Parcel Post gets there just as fast as the more expensive mail.

===============================================================

Thank you for all of your support, we really appreciate it because a lot of the Iraqi people don't support us being here. If you'd like to send things that would be great. We really enjoy getting packages. If you'd like to send letters, or packages they would be greatly appriciated! Even your pictures!

A lot of soldiers here including me have headaches non-stop because of all the stress, and at the same time can't sleep very well. One thing that is very hard to come by over here in Baghdad is medicine for migraine headaches and medicine to help us get to sleep. Any store-brand versions of migraine-headache medicine (compared to the brand name medicine Excedrin makes for migraines) or store-brand versions of medicines to help us sleep (store-brand Tylenol PM for instance) would be really good to get.


SPC Derrick Dean
372nd MP Company
APO AE 09335-1322

[Qanisqineq]

1. I had to send my husband

things like sweatbands that fit inside the kevlar helmet and new t-shirts for their uniform. Toiletries are NOT supplied by the army. It is very sad.

[K8-EEE]

2. They Are All Very Nice And Appreciative

...of any little thing. Like ramen noodles or ANYTHING! There are a lot of kids just out of high school who come from families who don't have a lot of extra money to sent them stuff.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Aspirin?

I had something else in mind for our stressed-out soldiers fighting the Bushwar.

Kind of.

--bkl
Real kind of.

[HawkerHurricane]

4. Hehehe

Ok, Not recommended that you send anything you can't buy over the counter in a 7/11, ok.

But infantry (or anybody who does a lot of walking around) go through non-prescription pain killers like candy... according to some of my marine friends, they actually CALL aspirin candy. Seems to really help with those minor aches and pains caused by a heavy pack and rifle being lugged around.

[K8-EEE]

5. I Know That Excedrin Can Really Be Addicting

I have a friend in the publishing biz and she used to pop them like altoids...something about the caffeine mixed with the aspirin where you start jonesing for it!

But ya know....when you are in the line of fire I figure, whatever gets you through the night. Excedrin, cigs or whatever.

Yeah it has to be OTC though...