How YOU can help our people in Iraq

03/26/03 | Lee Heggy

[Lee Heggy]

Here is a way that we can give our people in Iraq a morale boost. Some haven't heard from home in quite a while and those of us who have served overseas know how lonely that can be. It only takes a 37 cent stamp to send a letter to a soldier in the field. Address it as follows:

To a Soldier c/o PFC Elisabeth Rigby 94th Engr B Co (H) Camp Virginia, Kuwait APO,AE 09302

You can also sponsor a soldier and make a greater impact. They need, AA Batteries, unscented soap, unscented deodorant(male/female), D batteries, One time use camera w/600 film, non melting snacks, toilet paper, baby wipes (when can't take a shower),SPF lip balm & sunblock, SPF Bug off, Femine hygine items, Alcohol wipes,Rubber gloves, hand sanitizer, stationary, first aid kits and any other items of personal comfort.

Send to the same address as above. Our people in uniform will really appreciate it.

[Deguello]

The DOD has announced that they are banning all Care Packages to the Persian Gulf due to the risk of tampering or delivery hazardous material (bio or chemical). It was suggested that money be given instead for the proper organizations to buy and send care packages.

[boxerblues]

dont want to hamper your efforts but this is a must read.




NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

No. 139-03
(703)697-5131(media)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2003
(703)428-0711(public/industry)

TROOP SUPPORT MAIL POLICY STRESSED

To bolster force protection, the general public is urged not to send unsolicited mail, care packages or donations to service members forward deployed unless you are a family member, loved one or personal friend.

On Oct. 30, 2002, the Department of Defense (DoD) suspended the "Operation Dear Abby" and "Any Servicemember" mail programs due to force protection concerns. Although these programs provide an excellent means of support to friends and loved ones stationed overseas, they also provide an avenue to introduce hazardous substances or materials into the mail system from
unknown sources. Unsolicited mail, packages and donations from organizations and individuals also compete for limited airlift space used to transport supplies, war-fighting materiel and mail
from family and loved ones.

Recently, DoD has become aware of organizations and individuals who continue to support some form of the "Any Servicemember" program by using the names and addresses of individual
servicemembers and unit addresses. These programs are usually supported by well-intentioned, thoughtful and patriotic groups who are simply unaware of the new risks facing deployed military forces. Some individuals and groups publicize the names and addresses of service members, ships or units on Web sites, with good intentions. The result, however, is a potential danger to the troops they wish to support.

DoD cannot support creative and well-intentioned efforts that defeat force protection measures, but can instead recommend alternatives to mail and donation programs. To show support to
troops overseas, the following are recommended:

* Log on to the following Web sites to show support, to include greeting cards, virtual Thank You cards and calling card donations to help troops stay in contact with loved ones:

http://www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html

http://www.usocares.org/home.htm

http://www.army.mil/operations/iraq/faq.html

* Visit Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and nursing homes. Volunteer your services to honor veterans who served in past conflicts.

Mail from family members and loved ones has always been encouraged and the military mail system will continue to work hard to get that mail to servicemembers overseas.

[Web version: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2003/b03222003_bt139-03.html]

[Lee Heggy]

Oh, well...my intentions were good...thanks for the info.

admin or moderator can pull this thread.

[boxerblues]

don't get discouraged, my son is over there so I know you mean well, its a shame that it has to be this way. The best thing would be to talk to friends, co-workers, church groups, and have them collect items and you send out the packages after careful inspect to make sure all items have not been tampered with. My son called they were told not to accept packages with return address they did not recoganize

[TheSpottedOwl]

It's a sad world when you can't do something like send cookies and personal items to our troops. Of course I understand the reason for this.

I think the thread should stay up.