An Opportunity to Help Our Wounded Servicemen and Women

Self | April 21, 2004 | Brad's Gramma

[Brad’s Gramma]

Freepers, I have been sent an email from someone stationed in Iraq regarding an urgent need by our wounded servicemen/women. For security reasons, the whole email can NOT be posted here. Read on, please.



Today I went to visit the military hospital here in the Green Zone. Yesterday my boss (a Marine) had gone to visit some of the Marines brought here from the Fallujah fighting. When he asked one of the wounded Marines if there was anything he could get for him, the Marine requested a razor so he could shave and be within standards again before he was discharged from the hospital. My boss also found that the hospital basically was lacking phones for the patients to be able to call home and talk with their loved ones. I think they only had one that the chaplain carried with him and let the patients use when visiting them. We were able to scrounge up a few razors and got a couple of our cell phones signed over to the ward. I took the items back today along with some candy folks gave me and spent some time talking with the patients.

Afterwards, I talked with the ward personnel and they gave me a list of items they can always use. Our hospital is the largest surgical hospital here in Iraq so most of the patients are evac'd here for their initial care until they can be stabilized and evac'd to Germany or returned to duty (although it is not a big hospital-more like a clinic sized unit).

Of course most of the wounded come in with only what they were wearing in most cases. As such, they don't have things like toothbrushes, etc. A lot of you are always asking if there is anything you can send me. There really isn't anything I need, but these folks could use some things for the wounded. It really is humbling when you think about these young men and women who have been wounded, some of them terribly, and they are really excited about getting a razor or some chocolate candy. So, following is the list of things the ward personnel said they could really use for their patients.

On the hygiene items (toothpaste, shampoo, etc.), they are interested in the travel size products because the wounded are normally only here for a short period of time before they are transferred out to bigger hospitals that have better supplies of these items, or back to their units where they have access to their stuff. If you would like to donate any of these things (or start a drive for these things) just mail them to me. My office will sort the items and make sure they get to the hospital. If you would like to send food items, we'll need individually wrapped or single serving items. And, chocolate is okay if it's mailed soon before it gets too hot (but to tell the truth, we've been known to lick it off the wrapper when we want it bad enough!).

Razors
Shaving Cream
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Mouthwash
Soap
Shampoo
Feminine Hygiene Products
Underclothes (male and female)-okay this may sound like a strange item, but remember they normally only come in with the stuff they are wearing and normally those are ruined
Slippers/FlipFlop type of things (in large sizes-apparently the things on the local economy are pretty small)
Hospital PJs
Candy
Crackers
Snack Items
Anything else you can think of

Additionally, we like to go out and give our young Marines pulling post duty candy/cookies, so we can always use that type of stuff. We had a great time delivering our Easter candy stash Sunday and we left a lot of Marines grinning from ear to ear.

* * * * * * *

MoJo20001's husband's division is going to be collecting the items and sending them via transport to the hospital in Iraq. IF you feel so inclined, and the need IS urgent...please let one of us know.

We also are coming across names...MANY MANY names of servicemen who need care packages, a letter, sometimes depending upon the branch of service, an email. If you can commit to being faithful with the correspondence, PLEASE let us know about that, too.

[kayak]

Well, M0sby, now you know what Grammy's up to when she says she'll BRB ... *grins*

[M0sby]

Yikes!~
Where DO you get these things???(never mind..I don't want to know~~)

[Brad’s Gramma]

LOL!!!!!!

[M0sby]

I'm strangely FRIGHTENED!

[Brad’s Gramma]

I have another one....but I think I'll leave him off of here.

Maybe.

We'll see. Ha!

[oceanview]

send me the address (why can't it be posted on the thread?). is there some deadline for when the package has to arrive? I am in NY. do they prefer the smaller travel size items, or larger quantity packs?

[Brad’s Gramma]

Thanks, oceanview...thanks much. I'll send you a FRmail in a sec...

[Brad’s Gramma]

Whoops...I didn't answer all your questions.

Yeah, smaller sizes is what they're asking for. These guys and girls are in and out of the hospital...so smaller is better.

Deadline? ASAP...but, one thing that's dawned on us...this is PROBABLY going to be an ongoing problem, isn't it?

So...if your life's all jumbled up right now...just bump the thread and do what you can. PRAY always always pray.

Thanks again.
Nancy

[HiJinx]

You're doing great, Gramma. But...when do you find time to sleep?

Are you taking lessons from Ma?

You need to follow Piper's lead...

[Brad’s Gramma]

I LOVE that little one!!!

Where's Logan? WE NEED LOGAN!!!!

[HiJinx]

TC is at work, isn't he? I think his access is limited there...

That's ok, I'm sure Logan and Piper are going to be the best of buddies by the time they're a year old...without ever meeting!

[XtreMarine]

I am here in Baghdad and visited the hospital today. Our people are doing well. The items you are requesting are small in nature but go an extra ten miles in making our people comfortable under the circumstances. I sincerely appreciate all the prayers out there and on hehalf of those who can not express their gratitude I humbly say thank you.

God bless you all and God bless our country.

[getgoing]

YES on the lotion, cracked skin from heat, wind & sun last summer.

[JusPasenThru]

Bump for future action.

[getgoing]

Appreciation & prayers sent to you and your men.

[M0sby]

Thank you to us?
THANK YOU TO YOU!!!
I cannont begin to express the depths of my thanks for your service to our country.
Please pass along my thanks and appreciation.
Sincerely,
M0sby

[M0sby]

Thanky you...I was hoping it didn't seam "goofy" to send Mary Kay products to Iraq

[DrDeb]

You and your fellow Marines (and all other troops in Iraq/Afghanistan) are genuine AMERICAN HEROS!!!!!

My family and I THANK YOU for all that you are doing both to protect our country and create a better future for the Iraqi people!

May God continue to bless and keep you!!!

[DrDeb]

Thank you for bringing this situation to our attention -- I will send a contribution to patriciaruth ASAP!!!

KUDOS!!

[MoJo2001]

Thank you for your service to America. I think it brings home the point that our Troops need whatever we can provide. Whether the contribution be big or small, any contribution will help our Troops.

Please pass on our best wishes, prayers, and thoughts to your fellow Marines. We are honored and humbled by your presence.


God Bless You!

MoJo