On this memorial day, I can't think of anything more appropriate than to throw out a challenge to DU to help our soldiers. I know that past "rose" drives have done well here. I'm asking all of us to make a contribution, no matter how small, to a very worthy cause,
Operation Helmet. It was founded in 2003 by Dr Robert Meaders, whose grandson is a marine in Iraq.
OPERATION HELMET provides helmet upgrade kits free of charge to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as to those ordered to deploy in the near future.
These helmet upgrades do three primary things:
Comfort - If it is more comfortable, it will stay on troop's head longer and more often.
Stability - Keeps the helmet firmly on the head and out of the eyes.
Protection - Decreases G-force transmission to the head and brain.
Help Protect Our Heroes!
Combat troops operate in a diverse range of operational environments and injury threats. These operational environments and injury threats place demands on protective systems to provide consistent protective performance throughout an expected range of temperature and threat magnitude. Protective helmets are no exception. The Helmet should be configured with fitting pads that possess the capability to attenuate blunt head impact forces. Previous combat helmets, such as the Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT), the newer Marine LW helmet and the older M-1 "steel pot," were not required by their governing specifications to provide high tested levels of blunt impact protection. Protective helmets are typically required (ARMY ACH, Special Ops MICH helmets) to absorb energy in order to reduce head injury risk during blunt impact events. The energy-absorbing mechanism must be robust enough to reduce the impact energy to a low injury probability level throughout a realistic range of impact velocities and environmental temperatures, regardless of the helmet impact site.
Profile
We are a charitable organization headquartered in Houston, Texas with volunteer operations around the country.
100% of all contributions are used to send upgrade kits to our troops! We have zero overhead - it is a labor of love.
Operation Helmet, Inc. is a 501-c-3 Charity. Our EIN is 20-1756585. Donations are tax-deductible
Cost:
The manufacturers have given us a special 'charitable organization' price of $71 for the kit that fits the new Marine Light Weight Helmet (LWH). The more expensive kit, the BLSS is $99.00, both including free shipping direct to the Fleet or Army Post Office. The Air Force and Navy units still have the PASGT helmet that requires the more expensive BLSS kit, Marines and their Navy medics use the less expensive one, as their new helmets already have a chin/nape strap retention system.
This is a legitimate organization and these inserts WON'T be banned like the body armor was by the armed services. I've checked. They've already sent over 6,500 upgrade kits, but they need many more. Can you help out? I know many of us are donating to political campaigns right now, but can you spare a few dollars to help purchase a much needed insert?
Many serious injuries (concussions) may have been avoided by having used these inserts. Please spread the word and help anyway you can.
VIDEO OF INSERT - It may take a minute to load if you stream, or you can right click, save as and view on your PC.
PDF FILE FOR HANDOUTDONATION PAGE (online or by mail)
SAMPLE EMAIL FROM A SOLDIER:
May 22: Email from the front: Summary: Thank you America
I belong to a USAF special operations unit (combat control and pararescue) and while our operators are outfitted quite well those of us who are support personnel are not. We are often required to travel with the guys outside the wire and have received similar training - at least enough to make us combat savvy and not a liability to those we support - to what the operators have completed. At times it may be a simple helo trip to a base to drop off supplies and pick up items. Other times its a small convoy of just three or four of us going out to pick up the guys from a remote location. Bottom line: Although we are expected to operate within the same environment as the guys the funding just isn't there to provide support with the same gear. My CC has been trying to get upgrades but they are slow in coming and most of us can't afford to purchase our own gear set up - especially my enlisted folks. I will find out how many people need the kits and send you a list of names to prevent the number of emails flowing in from increasing even further - I can imagine how busy you must be with all of these requests!
I have forwarded your web site to about 30 of my family and friends in an effort to draw so more financial support for your worthwhile cause. I will also pass it along to my unit - and I am certain that they will pass it along to their family and friends as well. I want you to know we really appreciate what you are doing - it means alot to know how much folks care.
Once again, it seems as tho our tax dollars have not purchased what is needed by our soldiers. Once again, our politicians are clueless to the needs of the soldiers. We know the war didn’t have to be fought, we know the ME is in civil war. Let’s not argue these points but try to correct THIS issue. Start some groups locally, maybe get some media attention and help our soldiers. If you have some time or money or both, let’s get behind this cause. As one who works with the soldiers daily, I know they appreciate all we do. Tell folks instead of buying a magnetic ribbon for the car, put the money where it really does support the troops.
Don't forget to spread the Operation Helmet link around to other places on the net. Let's move this issue out front..........thanks
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