Web Site Kicks Sand in Faces of GIs in Iraq Asking for Mats to Ease Hardship of Sleeping on Ground

FOX News ^ | January 22, 2007

[brushcop]

You would be amazed at the needs of combat soldiers and Marines. I'm talking about the COMBAT troops, not the mainbase, support areas. Don't you know that it has always been a tradition that the Infantry (soldiers or Marines) get what's left over? Sheesh! Send those mats anyway and flood the troops.

Dad of a combat Infantryman.

[mickie]

I wonder if the DOD could suppy them with inflatable pads....which could be small like a deck of cards and be easy to pack with their other gear.

Let's get something started!

[bnelson44]

My son said they were short on socks at one point. He also was in a combat unit. He had nothing but praise for those who were in supply brigades who braved dangers to keep them supplied.

Here is Packages from Home's website

[Enterprise]

They could probably supply them with pads. But at any given time, even the Pentagon might not know what the troops need given they some might be in regular quarters and some might have extended stays in the field, and others might have temporary housing in abandoned houses or other buildings. It's not a bad idea, but there might be reasons why it isn't done. That being said, once the guys are in stable situations the Pentagon can probably supply them with pads, but I bet they get these things a LOT faster ordering them without waiting for the Pentagon to supply them. And a few months ago, a unit needed pillows so FReepers got involved and sent some.

[mickie]

Don't Sheesh me!

My husband was a soldier. He spent over one year in the hills of Korea, living in bunkers dug into the ground. For years after we were married, you couldn't walk past his bed when he was sleeping.

As I said earlier, there must be a way to supply the troops with a way to sleep in some comfort. They deserve it. I'm thinking of floats for the pool, that are small but when inflated you can sleep on them.

[WTSand]

Poncho and a liner. Standard grunt sleeping gear.

[madison10]

"Hess emailed that he has since found two mat suppliers willing to ship to an APO address in Iraq."

I read that, but that was NOT what I asked. I wanted to know if I/we could pay for the mats to be sent. The Sgt. did NOT originally request the mats for free, he just wanted to know if the mats could be shipped to an APO address.

The post just above yours answered the question, however, people are sending more mats then the military could possibly use.

[ajolympian2004]

There is a video link if you goto this story link at the Fox News website. It's the report that aired on the 'Big Story' with John Gibson.

[davidosborne]

http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/apo.asp

story also verified on snopes..

[davidosborne]

passing it on....

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[mcmuffin]

Thanks for the link...
http://www.packagesfromhome.org/

[reg45]

Since the employee can't seem to hold a job in civilian life, perhaps he should join the army, go to Iraq and get a touch of reality.

[mbynack]

Reply #2: Is there a way to assist the Sgt. and his people with getting mats? As in donations?

I checked this report on Snopes and it's true. The follow up with the GI said DON'T send him an e-mail offering to help. They have their sleeping pads from another supplier and he's gotten thousands of e-mails from people offering to send the mats for free.

[mewzilla]

And the guys on FOX & friends were discussing this story this morning and said that they'd be updating their blog on this subject later on in the day.

[Keith in Iowa]

>>>Reply #2: Is there a way to assist the Sgt. and his people with getting mats? As in donations?

Previous discussion on this topic indicated the Sgt. found another source for the mats he was after, and they have plenty.

[mware]

Fox & FRiends did say there is a group that is going to fund getting those mats to them. I did not get the name though.

[longtermmemmory]

seems like he was a "shadow site" to be close to the larger company with a similar name.

It is becoming painfully obvious there is no reason to tolerate any mohamadin in our midst.

[stm]

That really is the only downside to this job. Putting your life on the line to defend assholes like this right to say crap like that.

[JustAmy]

Their email address is:

contact@discount-mats.com

I sent an email last night.