CHRISTMAS CARDS and LETTERS for our TROOPS in IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN (send one here)

self | 11-05-04 | patriciaruth

[patriciaruth]

We have APO's for five units in Iraq and two units in Afghanistan, which means several thousand soldiers to whom we would like to send Christmas cards and letters and Hannukah cards and any other kind of holiday card you think a soldier there would like.

Our troop supporters and patriots ping lists number about 200 FReepers, so we are asking all who can to respond with one or more card or letter and also to ask your friends and neighbors and other FReepers to send a card or letter.

I have around 200 sheets of holiday paper decorated variously with wreaths, Christmas trees, and holly which I will use to print out any letters/notes you FReepmail me, and will be happy to buy more.

Those who want to send a personal hand written or signed letter or card, FReepmail me for my address.

Every card and letter to a soldier in harm's way will be accompanied by a candy cane.

If you aren't willing to sign your card or letter/note with your address or email, please put your hometown and state, so the soldiers see that these holiday wishes come from all across America.

Your cards and letters have to be in my hands by the end of November to make the last shipment out, the first week of December. Please everyone, do this as soon as possible so I'm not swamped at the end.

For information on how to donate for the candy canes, please FReepmail me.

[patriciaruth]

For information on our latest care packages for the troops, see Care packages and Thank-you Notes for our Troops in Afghanistan

[patriciaruth]

News on latest letters, postcards, and emails received from Iraq and
Afghanistan will be posted below.

[patriciaruth]

Please take time to FReepmail me a holiday note or letter for a soldier in harm's way. Or FReepmail me for information on how to mail a Christmas card or letter to a soldier.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

Merry Christmas, Troops, from SANTA C.

http://www.lzxray.com/Ronnie3.jpg
(Photo)

.

[patriciaruth]

POSTCARD from IRAQ!

Dear Dr ******,
WOW!! that is a lot of toffee popcorn! We will be pushing it out to our Platoons in the out-lying FOB's. Very much appreciated, have a happy Veteran's day,
1SG C*******

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Support the Troops PING

[LakeLady]

Pajama Puppies Ping!

Here's a way to send Holiday Messages to Our Troops through patriciaruth.

We need lots and lots and lots of messages, so please help.
LakeLady

[patriciaruth]

LETTER from AFGHANISTAN!

October 13, 2004
Dear Patricia.....
Thank you for your reply back to my letter. Your ...knowledge of history and politics amaze me. Just wanted you to know too that I was thinking of you.
I included some products that our PSYOP Company has made and distriubuted since we've been here in country. I thought you should have them. Even though your back in the US, halfway across the world -- you've become such a part of our company. You're like a battle buddy whose name I won't forget. Thanks again for being there for all of us fulfill our wants and needs!

God bless you,
SPC K*******

[patriciaruth]

LETTER from IRAQ!

22Oct04
Dear Patricia
I received your package in the mail today. It was yet another pleasant surprise. Since things are winding down here, I am sure the DVD's and books will be providing me with much entertainment in the weeks to come.

Slowly but surely the days, weeks, & months are going by. Pretty soon it will be time to return to Hawaii.

When I get back, I am planning on taking as many college courses as I can before getting out of the Army next June. After I get out, I am planning on traveling to Europe for 5 months & then returning to school. I would like to attend San Francisco State University to major in zoology with a minor in psych. I will only have about 3 semesters left at that point. From there, I want to either do research on animals, train animals, or join the peace corps for 2 years. I enjoy helping people so I think that it would be a good thing to do. But we shall see.

As for Iraq, ...the weather has cooled to 95 in the day and 65 at night, which feels really chilly.

Well that's about it from over here. Thanks so much for the package. It really means so much to me.

N******

[MarMema]

placemarker....

[LakeLady]

"Dear Dr ******,
WOW!! that is a lot of toffee popcorn!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you make arrangements for a dentist to go with that toffee popcorn to take care of the cavities that must ensue?

:^0)

How are you doin', Patty?
LL

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[scott7278]

BTTT

[patriciaruth]

EMAILs from IRAQ!

Dear Patricia ...,
I'm writing in regards to the the used DVD player offer. I spoke with a good friend of mine C**** and he mentioned of the the offer. I'm currently the the 1SG Sergeant for a **** Company stationed in Iraq and my soldiers could really use the DVD player if it is still available...

[arjay has already ordered a DVD/VCR player for this company, and Mo1 is going to help with mailing it]

Hi Patty,
Rest is a beautiful thing and everyone you should get plenty of it. I can't wait to get back to Hawaii so I can get some. I don't think the playstation would be a good idea, due to there being only one TV and I don't want them arguing on who's turn it is to play. Movie watching everyone can enjoy, thanks for the offer though. Well BN is short for battalion, and yes we are "bad news" because we always know what the bad guys are upto. Yes Patty I'm also stationed in Kirkuk the city of burning oil wells. The guy's are into all kinds of movies except for maybe chick flicks. Thanks.

Regards,
1SG A******

[We are still accepting movies and donations to buy movies to send to this company]

[patriciaruth]

Did you make arrangements for a dentist to go with that toffee popcorn

LOL! They claim they don't want any more toothpaste or floss....

Maybe they don't have any teeth left to worry about....

[Brad's Gramma]

I thought I'd show everyone the importance of writing to our troops, and getting other people involved...I'm SO PROUD of trussell for taking the bull by the horns and DOING this!!!

November 6, 2004

Students craft special flag for overseas troops

By John R. Crane
Journal Staff Writer

Marissa Clay, 2, a student in Barb Belt's Blue classroom at the Pinon Project's Tree House personalizes her thank-you card to our troops overseas, while classmates Christian Blue Eyes, 3, and Jada Brace, 2, watch closely and await their turn.

For the Head Start children at Tree House Learning Center, red and blue are not the hues of a national political divide, but the flying colors of their handprinted flag to be sent to troops overseas.

Thirty-two small, red and blue handprints hold the stars and form the red stripes to remind soldiers in the Middle East they are in the children's thoughts.

"They're helping the troops remember that they haven't forgotten them and that they're protecting them as well as the adults," said Tamis Sapp, who teaches the children along with her sister, Terra Sapp.

Sean McLaughlin, who turns 5 Nov. 16, summed up his feelings about his artistic labors succinctly.

"Happy! Proud!" McLaughlin enthused.

Four-year-old Dhanielle Clark concurred with her ebullient classmate.

"Happy!" Clark said.

"Yep. Me too!" said 3-year-old Robert Lack lll, while he played with the crucifix around Tamis Sapp's neck as she kneeled next to him, holding him.

The flag has special meaning for Lack, whose father, Robert Jr., is stationed at Fort Carson and is getting ready for a second deployment to Iraq. The elder Lack is with the 64th Forward Support Battalion attached to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, the division that captured Saddam Hussein.

Tracy Russell, who spread the flag idea to area schools and agencies, said she does not know whether the flag will be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan.

The flag will first be sent to the brainchild of the project, Hampton, Va.-based Proud Patriots, and then to the troops. Russell heard about the organization through a friend. Proud Patriots is a nonpartisan effort to send gifts and holiday messages to troops stationed overseas. Gifts include DVD players, movies, books and toys for Marine, Army, Reserve and National Guard units, Navy ships, Air Force squadrons and field hospitals, said Russell, who has a son, Cody Russell, in Head Start and a daughter, Crystal Russell, at Mesa School.

The new agency has schoolchildren across the nation creating artwork to send to troops overseas. And Russell has recruited teachers at several schools in Montezuma County - Butler Head Start, Mesa School, Cortez Middle School and Manaugh Grade School - to dip their students' hands in paint.

Besides sending a comforting message to our nation's soldiers, the assignment provides eager young students with creative fun. Just ask Clark why the exercise made her jovial.

"Because I liked it," Clark said.

For more information about Proud Patriots, call Carolina Young at xxx-xxx-xxxx. (x'd out by me)

[patriciaruth]

Email from AFGHANISTAN through another contact:

The types of games we like are... Madden NFL 2005, NBA 2004, HOCKEY, AND BOXING THANKS SOOO MUCH !!! IM SOO HAPPY [at the news we were going to get his unit an Xbox]

[Asgardshill is doing the leg work on getting the Xbox, and we are still accepting donatations toward this computer game player and the games]

[daybreakcoming]

I will be sending a few handwritten cards for you to send out and some $$ to help with the postage

[patriciaruth]

Mo1 reports: "BTW .. not sure if I mentioned this, but because the games were missing from the shipment I sent with the playstation 1 .. I sent off new games for C*** group [Kirkuk].

I ordered them thru Amazon.com back on Oct 11th and had it shipped directly to him.
The games were Madden NFL 2000, MTV Sports: TJ Lavin's Ultimate BMX, NASCAR 2000, NBA Live 2001

When he got back from his R&R he let me know they rec'd them."

[mylife]

youre a saint Patricia

[Pastnowfuturealpha]

Will work on a letter tonight and get back to you. This is a great way to let them know they are constantly in our thoughts and prayers -


Thanks so much -

[patriciaruth]

Thanks, Ronnie!

I'll stick your note in with the candy canes!

[beaversmom]

ping for later

[patriciaruth]

Wonderful post, Gramma!

And yes, we are all praying for our Marines as the assault on Fallujah is imminent.

[patriciaruth]

:-D

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you for the Ping, Grammie and Tonk; I will be honored to participate in this.

[Brad's Gramma]

There are SO MANY men and women who need our support, I'm happy to see everyone chipping in!!!

[patriciaruth]

Many groups around the country are doing similar things. I just happen to know these units don't have any others sending them goodies for Christmas.

[Brad's Gramma]

I just happen to know these units don't have any others sending them goodies for Christmas.

I'm glad ya found them, patriciaruth...and I'm really glad that so many Freepers are helping.

[patriciaruth]

I'm going to spend some time with hubby now, and will be back in a few hours to check my mail.

THANKS, EVERYONE!

[goodnesswins]

bump for later

[fatima]

Brad's Gramma bump.

[patriciaruth]

I just checked out your photo, Ronnie, and it's terrific.

Do you have a color printer? I don't.

It'd be great if you could print out a few copies and send them to me, so I could mail them to several bases.

FReepmail me for my address if you can do this.

Cheers!
Patty

[catsbattey]

This is my first post... How do I contact you to send cards and letters to the troops?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[lainde]

bttt

[kimmie7]

I'd like to send some cards and letters. FReepmail me with info please?

Thanks for all the hard work.

[Severa]

Hey I got another link you can ping out for the military donators list:

Something else to consider as a gift:

Click here where you have the following options:

* make a charitable contribution of a "Gifts from the Homefront" gift certificate to a military organization.

* send a military exchange gift certificate to a loved one, family member, or Authorized Patron associated with the military.

* make a charitable contribution of a Commissary gift certificate to a military organization.

* send a Commissary gift certificate to a loved one, family member, or Authorized Patron associated with the military.

[Severa]

Hey I got another link you can ping out for the military donators list:

Something else to consider as a gift:

Click here where you have the following options:

* make a charitable contribution of a "Gifts from the Homefront" gift certificate to a military organization.

* send a military exchange gift certificate to a loved one, family member, or Authorized Patron associated with the military.

* make a charitable contribution of a Commissary gift certificate to a military organization.

* send a Commissary gift certificate to a loved one, family member, or Authorized Patron associated with the military.

[Severa]

So good I repeated myself oops *s*

[SandRat]

Thanks for reminding me Tonk, I'll need to get with the PAO on post about the "A Holiday Home" program and see where we're at in kicking kicking this year's rendition off.

"A Holiday Home" is a local program where the community and post match up single service members living in the barracks with participating families in the community so the service member has "A Holiday Home" away from home.

[AuntB]

Thank you so much, patriciaruth, for going the extra mile and doing this. I'll get something on the way.

[Abigail Adams]

Christmas greetings will be on their way soon!

Reindeer bump for the troops!

[patriciaruth]

Thanks, Tunehead54, for the update:

Mailed to battalion near Baghdad by Tunehead54 on October 23, 2004:

Proscan VCR, Remote, Cabling (red, white, yellow), new batteries + extra, Manual

10 movies:
1. The Sound of Music
2. Mary Poppins
3. The Lion King
4. Titanic
5. Forrest Gump
6. The Santa Clause
7. Air Force One
8. Ransom
9. Batman & Robin
10. As Good As It Gets

Because they are very busy right now due to the assault on Fallujah, we won't check if these arrived for a couple weeks.

[patriciaruth]

PRAISE update for all, email from FT. BRAGG:

Hi Patty,

Just a quick note to let you know we are back on US soil!! We got in about 2am today to Pope AFB and we'll be here at Ft. Bragg for about 10-12 days to de-mobilize.

Thanks again for all your love, support and prayers.

Love,

L***, for the 320th TPC

[We have the APO for the follow-on unit that took their place at Bagram]

[daybreakcoming]

HOORAY - they are home - God bless them.

I will not wonder where the tree is, I will not, I will not. :o)

I assume the new APO is the same one you sent recently.

[Pastnowfuturealpha]

Hello -

Sorry to bother you but I was working on my letter then realized I wasn't sure if there were any taboo subjects -

Would you give me a general idea of what is okay - and what may not be okay - Also should the information only be about Christmas acitivities -


Thanks -

[Calusa]

Ping.

[patriciaruth]

Taboo:

Your mission sucks.

Your commander in chief sucks.

The military sucks, and you're a baby-killer.

Any other subjects you're concerned about?