Know any soldiers?

[TexasLawyer]

If you don't, I've got some for you. www.AnySoldier.com

A lot of these soldiers are just kids, often from broken homes and sometimes with little support from back home. Some of these kids get NO mail, other than the occasional bill. It is hard enough to be in a war where the mission is clear and your cause is just. So can you imagine what fighting in the Iraq war must be like?

It's Memorial Day! Send a soldier a care package. If you don't know any soldiers (or Marines, or other branches of the military) there are plenty of military men and women posting every day on AnySoldier.com.

Right now, SSG. Gatewood needs fans; ET1 Darrell Hay needs books, magazines and DVDs; SPC Saldana needs toiletries and bath towels; and SFC Russell D. Coughenour is asking for toys, clothes and school supplies for Iraqi kids.

There are many, many others posting about the specific needs for their platoon or unit. Please do something nice for Memorial Day and send them a box. They will be very grateful and you'll make a new friend (or 12 (LOL)).

http://www.anysoldier.com/WhereToSend/

You don't pay expensive foreign postage to send a care package. It is regular domestic postage to send mail to an FPO or APO. I almost always get a nice thank you letter or e-mail back. They really do appreciate what they receive, even if it is just a letter, or some Sudoku puzzles you copy off the internet, or the Sunday comics.

USPS flat-rate boxes hold a LOT, and they are just $8.10 to mail all the way to the Middle East.

So do it, DU! Happy Memorial Day!

TexasLawyer

[meow2u3]

1. My uncle was a fallen soldier

from WWII. He was murdered by the Nazis after they shot down his plane.

Now you know why I despise the neocons. They're exactly like the enemies my uncle, among millions, fought during WWII. He's spinning in his grave at what's become of this country.

[UrbScotty]

26. May he rest in peace. (nt)

[hootinholler]

28. I submit that they are alike because

They are the progeny. Both physically through blood and professionally through montorship.

-Hoot

[AuntPatsy]

2. What a wonderful idea, for some, there was nothing else for them

to do that would ensure they get a job that is supposed to be able to aid them in benefits such as college etc. It's wrong to dispise all soldiers because of what some do...

I'll make a note to myself to even make some flyers and perhaps pass them out to people that might not otherwise think about doing such or how to do it..

During Bush firsts war with Iraq I was a girl scout leader, we sent packages all the time and letters, the girls we had absolutely loved doing fund raising to get this packages together and loved hearing from the soldiers themselves when they wrote back to say thankyou...

Thank you for posting this.

[TexasLawyer]

7. Acts of kindness

So many of the soldiers ask for things for the Iraqi kids, so that they can address some of the squalor that these kids live with.

For every Haditha, I know that there are a thousand acts of courage and kindness by our service people toward the Iraqis. The proof is in people like SFC Russell Coughenour and his men.

[Skittles]

13. Amen

I sent some sandals for kids in Iraq - a soldier wrote me that one of their medics had to treat a little girl who hyperventilated - she was so overcome at having her first pair of shoes. *sniff*

[SeattleGirl]

3. I've sent things via anysoldier.

I think it's a great site, especially because the military folk themselves can list what they want/need, so you don't have to guess at what would be best to send.

[TexasLawyer]

14. I like reading the posts

It gives such a window on what their lives are like. Just the shopping list tells you a lot-- like the medic's post I read a while back who wanted: fly paper, fly swatters, insect repellant, citronella candles, mouse traps,......

Some of them are unintentionally funny-- like a Marine who says "We have 15 Marines in a tent and we seriously need some air fresheners".

Some of the soldiers talk about what they do every day, so that's interesting. The one common denominator seems to be that everyone works super long hours with very little down time. It's tough duty.

[SeattleGirl]

16. I find the posts interesting too.

And I think it makes them feel good that there is a place they can go, can let people know what they need/want, AND it makes me (and other people) feel good to be able to do something, even if it's a relatively small thing on our part. For the men and women on the receiving end, the smallest of things may just mean the most.

[babylonsister]

4. Recommend, and thanks! nt

[femmocrat]

5. This is a very worthwhile activity for schools.

We had two campaigns at our middle school and sent "tons" of supplies to the soldiers. The local veterans' group helped with sorting, packaging, and shipping. It's a great way for kids to help others and for some community outreach as well.

[Asgaya Dihi]

6. Already recommended, now a kick NT

[Lisa0825]

8. Thanks for the reminder!

I used the "number of contacts" feature to pick out someone whose address had not been requested before. I'll go shopping tomorrow.

[Tsiyu]

9. Kickin for the troops

:kick:

[DesertRat]

10. Thank you for this

My neighbor, a West Point grad, went to Iraq for a year at the beginning of the war. We sent packages full of all sorts of things to eat and read (he liked "spy" novels and car magazines). He was fortunate to receive packages from many of his family's friends and relatives. He always gave things to soldiers who received nothing. Everyone was so grateful. Your post has inspired me to send more packages. I'll go shopping tomorrow. :patriot:

[Jazz2006]

11. Count me in.

Thank you for the link and suggestion.

I'm searching the site now and will gladly send some care packages along.

[Skittles]

12. I know anysoldier very well

have sent dozens of packages and have great email relationships going with many troops......it is extremely rewarding and I'll send a package before I buy new clothes ANY day, it is SOOOOOO much more satisfying.

One thing - references to soldiers who get little mail - many of them are from poor families but even the ones who aren't struggle because, as one guy put it, do you know how hard it is to supply someone with a year's worth of hygiene products, snacks, magazines, etc.....it's quite pricey. They need all the help they can get. I strongly recommend DUers participate!

[pookieblue]

15. I would like to help

but I'm struggling for money right now.

I've thought about just sending letters and cards...but then fell so cheap just sending those....

[TexasLawyer]

17. Letters are fine

I know they appreciate them. I sent out a bunch of Christmas cards this last holiday, with just greetings and in some I copied off a page of sudokus or crossword puzzles. But I got thank you notes and e-mails even for that minimal effort.

One very commonly requested item is drawings from children. That's worth a care package right there to a lot of soldiers. And it just takes 39 cents to get it delivered to the soldier.

[pookieblue]

19. thanks

I wanted to do my bit. I love to write letters and send cards. (and emails..)

[blonndee]

18. Thanks for posting this.

Participating in anysoldier really IS a rewarding experience, whether or not you get replies. Just reading the different listings is such an emotional experience, it's hard to decide who to send to. And for those who think they don't have the money (I don't have much either), it's not much at all to pick up just a FEW extra things at the grocery store and send them off. Believe me, they're appreciated. Even letters and cards are great for people who don't get a lot of mail.

[DesertRat]

20. kick

:kick:

[Tsiyu]

21. Another kick

for the soldiers :kick:

[TexasLawyer]

22. Kick

for Memorial Day

[newspeak]

23. I've mailed food, DVDs, books, hygiene accessories

to three soldiers in Iraq (my daughter's friends). She has another one to add to the list. Approximately a year and a half ago, I sent six boxes to two soldiers-three boxes didn't make it. At Christmas, See's Candy directly mailed candy to two of the soldiers, they never received it. Even though some things do not make it to them, I still send things that they want and need. One soldier wanted kool-aid, as he was tired of sodas. Another wanted oatmeal--one wanted shampoo, hair spritzer and dvd's. This week, I'm making a big batch of cookies and mailing them out. Also, I always send Emergen-C which has electrolytes (especially now that it's hot). Apparently, one soldier wanted comic books and said they pass them around. Just making sure their not forgotten is what counts. Since my daughter is in the Army-that's who I'm sending to "soldiers."

[CornField]

24. My Girl Scout troop sent out 25 care packages

We sent lots of lip balm, sunscreen, magazines, books, a picture of our troop, stationary, phone cards, pictures/letters we wrote and other various items.

One thing I'll add, Any Soldier is a good idea IF YOU DON'T KNOW ANYONE LOCAL. It means even more for the girls and guys from your own state to hear from you -- especially if kids are involved (like Girl Scout troops, etc.) It shouldn't be too difficult to find out if you have a group who is serving and to get names.

[AnnieBW]

25. Nothing Cheers Up A Soldier

Like a package of goodies from home. My friends that have been to Iraq and Afghanistan will attest to that! I sent several boxes around Christmastime. It's time to hit Costco and get some more stuff to send 'em.

[roody]

27. How can we get them to refuse to participate

in this illegal, immoral war and occupation?