Posted on 04/21/2004 1:44:23 PM PDT by 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.
Morning bump!
Good morning BG.. BUMP for our heroes!
What, are you NUTS? LOL!!!
Good afternoon, Betsy BTTT!
Yes, I am nut for this great thread!!!!
Bump!
BUMP!
Want to help? see post 928
I would appreciate the addresses. You already sent me the one for the items for our wounded troops.
Jan Pennock 17512 N. Mount Spokane Park Drive, Mead, WA 99021, US Army Nurse 1971-78. WA 5th Congressional District Bush-Cheney 04 Veterans Coalition Co Chair. I promise I am reputable.
Bumping this great thread!
Second, Senior Chief Walsh has not heard back from the Lt. Col. about the package arrivals. AS SOON AS WE DO, I WILL LET YOU ALL KNOW.
Third, we have a Marine on the ground that will try to check for me in the next few days. So? I'm hoping he will be able to meet the Lt. Col and find out for us. Keep your fingers crossed.
Fourth, we received a request from one of our brave heroes for help with shoes for schoolchildren in Mosul. If you are interested in helping, please FReepmail MoJo2001 or smaagee. (It is smaagee's request!) They can also use school supplies. So? If you have any laying around or visiting Wally World (Walmart to those that don't know), please pick up a few packs of pencils or notebook paper. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Also, FReeper archy is in contact with a Chaplain in Iraq and he was asking for help for the Convoys. (Transportation companies.) They also need toiletries and food for the guys and gals making sure the supplies are delivered. They are sometimes away from their base of operations for days. Since we know that Convoys are always in danger, this help would be greatly appreciated. So? Please contact MoJo2001 or archy to find out more information.
Also, patriciaruth is putting together packages to send out to more of our Troops that need supplies. If you are interested in sending money donations to her or supplies, please contact her through FReepmail or just send MoJo2001 a FReepmail.
We will try to update the request lists everyday in the Canteen. If you have any requests for our Troops, please send the information to MoJo2001, Brad's Gramma, or Kathy In Alaska. We will then add it to the list.
Everyone can help out in their own way. If you don't have the money to help out, remember that words of encouragement can be just as valuable. So? Send a FReepmail to Brad's Gramma, Kathy In Alaska, or MoJo2001. We would be happy to send it forward.
Thank you to everyone that has helped. We are greatly humbled by your generosity. God Bless each and every one of you.
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to FReepmail MoJo2001.
BTTT!!!!!!!
Thanks for the update!
1,000 bump!
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