'America Supports You' Launches (please read and pass to friends and family)

America Supports You ^ | Nov. 19, 2004 | Defense

[Former Military Chick]

WASHINGTON, – "America Supports You," a nationwide Department of Defense program, that spotlights what Americans are doing in support of U.S. military men and women serving at home and abroad launched here today.

[Former Military Chick]

Lets help this get a huge kick off!

[itslex71]

We signed up for Adopt-A-Soldier through OperationAC.com and just got our assigned soldier yesterday. We're so excited to be able to show our support and appreciation to someone in our armed forces. Woo hoo!

[HiJinx]

Bump!

[spiralsue]

My husband and I adopted two soldiers through Operation A/C; one who has email has become a friend for life. We sent him a ton of stuff. He wanted homemade chocolate chip cookies so we wrapped 12 dozen cookies in packs of four in cellophane, then stacked the packets in Gladware with a tight lid and put that inside a big Ziploc bag. I think we used six of the largest Gladware thingies we could find. When he received the cookies about five weeks after we mailed them, he said not a single one was broken. We also sent about 36 pairs of white socks -- they need them for PT -- along with all kinds of hygiene items, powdered Gatorade, DEET, and pounds of delicious nuts. We used the list from their web site. We have another soldier for whom we have no email address but we sent him two huge boxes of similar stuff and I am on pins and needles waiting to hear from him. My first guy is so humble and sweet. Only 25 years old with two kids, one just born last month. He was so very thankful to read how we were working to re-elect Pres Bush. When we told him how much we supported what the soldiers are doing, he wrote back that he wished all Americans could see the good work they are doing and appreciate it. Of course he knows the media is not on our side. It is wonderful to have an adopted soldier (or two). My 78-year-old mother told me about how everyone sacrificed during WWII and now no one seems willing to help out. We spent approx. $1,000 between the two guys and we are not "rich." We both have good jobs but not high salaries. I know, we're slackers! Tee hee. We considered the money OUR Christmas gifts. It truly is better to give. Anyway, these guys really need our support to counteract the MSM and other unAmerican groups out there undermining our security.
God Bless the USA and the US Military!!!!!
~S~

[talleyman]

Bump!

[rep-always]

You are wonderful. I am getting involved in Tony Snow's Wounded Warrior Project. God bless you.

[spiralsue]

Thank you... Any wonderfulness is a direct result of knowing these brave young men are protecting me, my loved-ones and our American way of life. Thanks again.
~S~

[Americanwolf]

Former Military Chick.... Thank you for the excellent post.

Myself and some of my fellow freepers have started a group here in Arizona (sorry folks shameless plug time.) Called the Arizona Patriots. We are doing care packages for the troops that are from here in Arizona . For those that are involved I sent a quick message out to the website the FMC has linked to stating what we are doing.

I just want to say in reading and seeing what indviduals are doing to support our troops what you are doing is as important to them as the support they get from the military. The folks that are putting their lives on the line need to know that we are behind them every step of the way, this is one of the few ways that you can let them know. From a Vet that knows the importance of the support that you get from home, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my breathern that are still out protecting our freedom.

No matter what you give, how little or how much it means the world to a soldier far away from home. God Bless our fighting men and God Bless America.

[HiJinx]

Well said, my FRiend...well said.

I think the more we plug our organizations, the more support we're going to get. I wonder how many folks in the Valley even know we (you guys) exist?

Someone who has really helped Proud Patriots get the word out is the military affairs reporter with a TV station in the Hampton, VA area. It might not be a bad idea to tell your local Fox affiliate what you're doing for NMCB7.

[Americanwolf]

Hijinx,

as always an excellent idea... actually AWB and I are working on something that we can send to all the media outlets here in valley to give an idea of what we are doing.. I hope that we can at least pick up one TV station and at least one of the radio station.

[Baytovin]

Wife and I also just adopted a Soldier and are preparing first package for delivery. Unfortunately, (according to website) there has not been an overwhelming response. I have even sent out dozens of e-mails with website URL to local radio stations, TV stations, etc. try to get publicity on this.

[2Jedismom]

You're gonna have so many jewels in your crown when you get to heaven you won't be able to stand up!

You are doing a great thing!

[Former Military Chick]

Lets give this a huge first day start up **PING**

Please pass on to friends and family!

[sanchmo]

ping

[America's Resolve]

BTTT

[MEG33]

BUMP

[cgk]

bflr

[itslex71]

So glad to hear you have had such a positive experience with Operation A/C and that you have formed such a close relationship with your soldier. I am gonna gather things this weekend to send out on Monday.

Thanks for your suggestions!

[68skylark]

God bless you for what you're doing. It makes waves far beyond what you realize.

[McGavin999]

What's the web address?

[foolscap]

ping

[Baytovin]

Adopt A Soldier

https://www58.safesecureweb.com/operationac/

also e-mail address sent to you as private reply

[fuzzy122]

I was just reading about the "America Supports You" program here. And I was just about to post it when I figured that "military chick" probably has it up there and sure enough you did.

God bless you FMC.

Stay Strong,
Fuzzy122

[JulieRNR21]

We have also adopted several soldiers through www.OperationAC.com

Just got new combat boots for the latest one as suggested on the OperationAC website.

Everyone of the soldiers has been so sweet and very appreciative.

We asked our family members if they would like to show support for our troops this Christmas in lieu of exchanging family gifts. Everyone has agreed to donate the money they would have spent on gifts to organizations that support the troops!

Thanks Former Military Chick for this thread on "America Supports You". I will be sending a link to the website to my family and my mega email list!

[Ckerscom]

I just put up a photo spin off site in support of our troops. Please send up a photo to our troops and help pass the word around!

http://www.americasupportsyou.us

its got the .US at the end, instead of .mil!

Darin

[itslex71]

We also volunteer through Operation A/C for "Operation Holiday Eagle" to send holiday cards to a battalion. Just got our assignment on Friday and I spent the weekend inscribing quotes on freedom, democracy, courage, and liberty on each card. Our unit is 90 soldiers and, since we don't have each invidual's name, we thought that would be a nice way to make each card feel special. I am off to the post office now!

[Former Military Chick]

ping

[Former Military Chick]

ping

[Betteboop]

I just don't understand this---I have written to so many soldiers, sent packages and even spent the $100 on the boots and have not heard from any of them!! I now have a claim in with the Post Office to get my money back for that package. I'm glad I had it insured and had return receipt requested. I don't know where that package went, or where all my other packages and letters went, but I feel so sad that I haven't heard from any of the soldiers to whom I had written.
Meanwhile, my son-in-law, who is stationed in the Sinai, has gotten my packages in less than a week!!

Go figure???

[JulieRNR21]

I just got an email tonight from our most recently adopted soldier that the boots we sent arrived today in Iraq.


However, I did write to a couple who didn't respond. So then we adopted a couple more. I didn't send any packages until I made 'contact' with the soldiers by email or letter.

Thanks for all your efforts to support the troops.

[Betteboop]

JulieRNR21

I still have the hope that my mail and packages were received and enjoyed by the soldiers who got them, even if they didn't write back. My main concern was what happened to the boots!? I never got the receipt back, so either they were lost, stolen or just the return receipt never got back. I hope they were used by one of our soldiers.

I must tell you that there was one soldier I wrote to early last year--never heard anything----months later I got my letter back and stamped on the front of the envelope was the word : Medivac. I was really upset. I did a google search of his name and found a news story about his being wounded and sent home. I think he was paralyzed from the waist down--or something like that.

There was an address to make a donation to a fund for him, so I sent a check there. I learned all about his wife and child, as well as what happened to him, from the news article,(he lived somewhere on the west coast, can't remember where) but could not write to him since I had no other address.

I pray that he is doing well now.

[JulieRNR21]

Bette:

Did you repackage the boots? I heard there was a lot of theft so they suggested you reverse the box so the contents would be unknown.

I got two letters returned but just 'unknowm' was written on them. I continue to pray for them....hoping for the best.

Blessings,
Julie

[Betteboop]

Yes, very definately---I repackaged the boots as suggested. I also included other goodies like a puzzle book, innocuous magazine and food treats. I made a clain with the PO for about $125. I'm waiting to get my money back--I hope it comes through soon!!
It's really strange---I must have written to at least a half dozen soldiers and never heard from any of them. However, my son-in-law, currently deployed in the Sinai, got his birthday gift I sent him, in less than a week!!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I sent a whole bunch of packages (over 20) last year at Christmas- and have heard from three or four of the folks I mailed to. I even inquired with some or the Freeps who knew a few of the troops I mailed to -and still heard no word on if the package got there or not. I sent a huge box of toys and school supplies for Iraqi children and never heard if it got anywhere.

One box cost me well over 200.00. Whenever I get worried that the boxes didn't make it to the troops- I just think- they must have ended up somewhere with someone who needed it! I hope it was with a soldier or one of their family members.

[Betteboop]

That was pretty much the way I felt---but since I did make it return receipt requested and that never got back and it was insured, I put in a claim with the post office.

It would be nice if one of the reporters over there did a story about the "lost packages!"

[SwatTeam]

And may God bless you for being so generous with your money and time. You will be be repaid a thousand fold.

[spiralsue]

I have now been repaid!!! Yesterday I received a letter from a Soldier in Iraq! It made my day! I cried when I read it and held the little envelope in my hands. It was dated 26 Nov 04, postmarked by the Army PO on 29 Nov 04 and I received it 07 Dec 04. It WAS A BIG THANK YOU FROM THEIR WHOLE COMPANY for our last huge shipment of stuff. We had sent it in Oct. and like others who posted, I never got a thank you or acknowledgment that it was received. It feels selfish to want a reply but the FUN of sending is realized when you KNOW the person received it. (BTW, on the Customs Form, check "gift" and "return to sender if undeliverable" so you get back any packages that can't be delivered.) We sent so much stuff but the thing they thanked me for was the homemade chocolate chip cookies. I sent 12 dozen. That is the second 12 dozen I have sent.. to two different operation AC "adoptees." Both told me how well the cookies made the trip. One Soldier emailed me that I had some "serious packing skills" because not a single cookie was broken. I triple wrap them... If you want to know how, FReepmail me and I can tell you in excruciating detail. I already wrote a letter back to this Soldier letting him know how we feel about their heroic work. In his letter, he wrote: "Right now we are in Fallujah where it has been pretty rough living conditions but we are tough Soldiers and are making it. We are over here fighting for all of you people who appreciate us and for all of our loved ones back in the States. We would much rather fight in a foreign land than at home around our loved ones." He asked for prayers for them, which he already has. I wrote back and told him how I watched the war and where I was on 9/11 (working in the SEARS TOWER) and gave my email address in case he should get time at a computer. The first Soldier we adopted emailed us weekly. Something that occurred to me while hugging my envelope from Iraq was that maybe they need paper and envelopes. I did not realize they don't have to use postage but we should include envelopes and paper in each package. A Marine I know who served in Viet Nam told me not to worry if I don't get a thank you or acknowledgment from the Soldiers because when a care package comes in, they rip into it and all the stuff is scarfed up within five minutes. They all share. What a wonderful generation...! They are the hope of our future. Not just because they are willing to die for our freedom but because they will come back here, seasoned and sober men, to raise their families with the RIGHT values.
Thank God for our the young men and women in our Military. I wish I could hug them all! That note was good enough for my Christmas.
~SS~

[SwatTeam]

I'm so glad you heard from your guys. That means they had a little bit of down time. My prayers are with all of our people in harm's way. Just heard last week that my cousin's son is on his way to Iraq.

[spiralsue]

Symmetry...! My cousin's son (Jason) just left for his third tour in Afghanistan this past Monday. He was supposed to be headed to Germany now but he had to change his plans, or the Army did for him. I'll be sending him care packages once he gets to a place with an address. He has guys reporting to him so I will be able to be sure any "lonely" Soldiers get things as well.

I showed my letter to several coworkers (who have put away their liberal ideology since John SKerry lost) and got two offers to bake cookies for my next shipment. People really do want to "support" them but many don't take the time or make the effort to find out how.

It is just AWESOME and UNBELIEVABLE to hold in your hands an envelope that was just in Fallujah where a Soldier took time to write me, address an envelope and mail it. I'm often too lazy to do that myself! The enormity of what they are doing over there is stunning. No words are enough to THANK THEM.