Want to help some soldiers serving in Iraq?

[HootieMcBoob]

My niece's husband is an officer in the Ohio National Guard. He's serving in Iraq right now. He sent word back to my niece about the plight of this one particular unit that he had recently worked with and asked if family or friends could do some little thing to help out. Following is the email that my niece sent out to my family and her friends. I thought it might help if we posted it on DU to ge the word out to a wider group of people. It also lets the soldiers know that even though those of us who are against the war still support the troops 100% and want to help out because we understand the hell that they're in. So here's what she says and the address is at the bottom of the email. Thanks.

Hey, if any of you know anyone who wants to do something for the soldiers but doesn't know what to do here's an idea. These guys had a fire and lost everything. Paul was at their base and they lost EVERYTHING. No uniforms, weapons, no nothing. They don't have access to a PX to replace any of the things that they need either. That means everything that can be sent is a good thing. I'm going to put together a box with a bunch of personal care things and magazines and stuff I think. And see if I can get some people in our FRG to do something for them too. Just thought some of you might be able to help or let someone else know who wants to do something but didn't know which direction to go with it.

Here's the address:

B/1-502 IN, 2 BCT, 101st ABN (AA)
APO AE 09398

Take care.
xxxxxxxx

[janx]

1. kick

[HootieMcBoob]

2. if you send anything

i don't think it would hurt to mention that you heard about their fire on democraticunderground.com. It never hurts to get a few more folks in on the discussions, especially if they have direct experience in this clusterfuck.

[knitter4democracy]

3. Is there a name for the addy?

I heard that they won't send anything that doesn't have an actual soldier's name on it so that it just gets sent to a holding area or something. If I remember right, that's what they say on anysoldier.com.

[HootieMcBoob]

4. Just the address for the unit but I'll check and see

if I can get anything more specific or if this is all we need for this particular unit.

[Lochloosa]

5. A list of stuff they could use would help.

Kicking

[HootieMcBoob]

6. Should have some information shortly

this is what she told me.

I'll ask right now. That's the address he gave me. I'll find out who the SG1 is and
send it to him or the company commander if we need specifics. Will let you know as soon as he gets back to me.

[annabanana]

7. thanks . . . . (bookmarking). . . . . .n/t

[Nickster]

8. That's how they have to do it. Someone has to be the "sponsor"

usually it's the Top or the Commander.

[knitter4democracy]

17. Yay!

Thanks for looking into this.

[HootieMcBoob]

9. Here's all the information

Okay. Here's what we need to do. This was the information I got back.

He said to address it to " First Sergeant " and put a note inside to distribute to the guys. This is taken from xxxxx's reply to my question:

They need everything.

They lost hygiene items, pens, pencils, paper, envelopes, books, magazines, dvds, cards, etc.

Anything to help them take care of themselves and to kill time.

They have no PX.

These are the guys fighting for their lives every day.

Anything to make them comfortable and help them relax.

They’re all males.


Thanks,
xxxxxx

So here's the proper address if you want to send anything:

First Sergeant
B/1-502 IN, 2 BCT, 101st ABN (AA)
APO AE 09398

[HootieMcBoob]

10. One more nomination for the greatest page

I hate to ask for a nomination but I know that there are tons of people who only have time to check out what makes it there. It would make this available to many more eyes and more potential help. Thanks.

[Burried News]

11. Have they tried this agency - Army Emergency Relief

http://www.aerhq.org/

[HootieMcBoob]

13. I'll check and see if it's something they might be able to

take advantage of. At first glance it looks like the sort of thing that helps military families out when they're in a pinch. This is a different sort of situation in that these guys are on active duty in a combat zone and have lost all of their stuff. Things they would probably be able to get if they had a px but not like a family unable to pay an electric bill which is the kind of thing this organization seems to be geared toward.

[TacticalPeek]

12. This link has good info about how to send things.

http://anysoldier.com/HowToSend.cfm

The flat rate USPS priority mail boxes are particularly appealing.

I hope that things will get there without a name for the First Sergeant.



:patriot:

[HootieMcBoob]

14. Thank you

good info. especially that Don't Mix! suggestion. I was going to send cliff bars along with toiletries but in addition to books and magazines but I think I'll either leave out the toiletries stuff altogether or send in a different package.

[TacticalPeek]

15. Plastic zip bags are a good idea for things that might burst or spill.

One of the boxes we sent my son last year had a bag of sugar that ruptured due to the extreme rough handling that sometimes happens, plus it got rained on pretty good. Everything then had a nice crusty coating, but he and his guys were in the extreme boonies, so they dug it anyway.

Which reminds me, good coffee is always a hit.

[jhain]

16. will do- any females?

Does his unit have any females?
"Girly' things could be a god send, too, if so.

[HootieMcBoob]

18. Nope - All Males n/t

[jhain]

19. thanks