A Marine in Iraq [Tamaqua Cpl. sends photos, organizes toy drive]

A Marine in Iraq

Cpl. Andrew Leibenguth fires his rifle, an M16A2, during target practice at a temporary shooting range in Iraq.

Tamaqua Cpl. sends photos, organizes toy drive despite conflict

United States Marine Corporal Andy Leibenguth has been stationed in Iraq since February.

"I've seen a lot," said Leibenguth via E-mail to the TIMES NEWS. A Tamaqua native, Leibenguth is serving as a Marine Reservist, the only one of 160 Marines in his company, CSSC-117. "I've been to almost all of the conflicts," he noted.

While in Iraq, Leibenguth is enduring the desert conditions with his Marine spirit intact.

"Imagine wearing flak, kevlar, cotton clothes, full camees, ammo, full NBC MOPP Gear, and not showering. Oh yeah, the temperature goes up to 145 degrees," said Leibenguth. "I am still loving it."

Prior to his present tour of duty, Leibenguth worked in the Marine Corps recruiting office in Schuylkill Haven for a year and was a Lance Corporal with the Naval and Marine Corps Reserves in Allentown.

Leibenguth was active with the Marine Corps League's Toys for Tots program back home, working with Schuylkill-Carbon Detachment 626. He has worked to start a separate toy program for Iraqi children as well, although it is not to be associated with Toys For Tots.

"I am trying to help the Civil Affairs Marines," explained Leibenguth. "Most of the Iraqi people I see daily have great respect for the U.S. Marines, but a majority of the children seem to see us as bullies from a greater country.

"I would like to give a lot of new, non-electrical toys to these kids as a show of caring from the U.S. troops and people back home.

"I keep very busy with my military tasks, support/security convoys, but I don't mind putting a little more into my day to help these people," he added.

The Marines will not be in Iraq much longer, noted Leibenguth. "Only a very few will stay, so I decided to contact the Army to see if they could assist with this. They said they would be more than happy to help with this collection and distribution."

For those interested, here is the address:

Marine Corps/Army Toy And Clothing Campaign.

977 MP Co./716 MP BN

APO AE 09357

Items that are needed:

·Send clean clothes, all sizes, child to adult.

·Send only usable, non-electric toys.

"We will open & inspect the boxes of donations we receive and then distribute them to the Iraqi people," explained Leibenguth. "No oversize donations we have to easily transport all of the donations."

For further collection Information, please contact Cpl. Andy Leibenguth, (USMC) at the following E-mail address: AndyLiving[at]earthlink.net.

In the meantime, Leibenguth has shared digital images of the Iraqi conflict with the TIMES NEWS, some of which are presented here as a reminder of what U.S. military personnel serving in Iraq are dealing with while the rest of us celebrate Labor Day weekend.

"All of the photos I took were after the action of the time was over," said Leibenguth. "Of course, I did not worry about taking pics while I was be shot at or at night. Marines are swift, silent, and deadly, but I did manage to take photos."

1 posted on 09/01/2003 6:22:17 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Thanks RC for posting this.

2 posted on 09/01/2003 6:24:15 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our troops)

To: MJY1288; Calpernia; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; Coop; Ernest_at_the_Beach; BOBTHENAILER; ...

There they go again, being neighborly to the locals.

Need a place for those extra toys? Baby clothes?

Happy Labor Day, all!

If you want on or off my pro-Coalition/anti-wanker ping list, please Freepmail me.

3 posted on 09/01/2003 6:25:43 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity."- Winston Churchill {and aids evildoers- RC})

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

"I would like to give a lot of new, non-electrical toys to these kids as a show of caring from the U.S. troops and people back home<<

Does he want just new, or can this be my excuse to clean out the kids toys?? Gently used of course!

4 posted on 09/01/2003 6:29:47 AM PDT by netmilsmom (Hand me my smelling salts.)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

"Of course, I did not worry about taking pics while I was be(ing) shot at or at night. Marines are swift, silent, and deadly, but I did manage to take photos."

I really like this guy! What a good idea for positive interaction with the children of Iraq.

5 posted on 09/01/2003 7:29:26 AM PDT by windchime

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Ragtime, thanks for this post. And, God bless Cpl Andy and his fellow brave troops!

6 posted on 09/01/2003 7:33:13 AM PDT by 4integrity (AJ)

Not used - just previously loved. :)

7 posted on 09/01/2003 8:31:33 AM PDT by Tennessee_Bob (LORD, WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT FOR THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN?)

To: Tennessee_Bob

Too true!

except the Happy Meal toys!

8 posted on 09/01/2003 9:45:33 AM PDT by netmilsmom (Hand me my smelling salts.)

See #7. (^:

Do what your heart moves you to. From our clothes drive thread (I love this!):

My son is over there and I sent him a soft sided pool, beach towel, sunscreen, shorts, thongs (as in wearing on the feet) and a cheap pair of sunglasses. He called and said the prize was great, they used the pool once and then he gave it to some little kids over there. He said the kids could not believe someone would give them such an expensive gift. I look at my neighbors yard and see thousands of dollars in toys laying all over, and say 'THANK GOD' we live in the USA and have an abundance of everything.

73 posted on 07/30/2003 8:51 PM EDT by Cate

Gently used is fine. Y

9 posted on 09/01/2003 10:13:38 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity."- Winston Churchill {and aids evildoers- RC})

10 posted on 09/01/2003 10:38:15 AM PDT by anymouse

11 posted on 09/01/2003 10:39:13 AM PDT by anymouse

Thanks for the ping anymouse.

12 posted on 09/01/2003 10:40:15 AM PDT by SAMWolf (I'm pink therefore I'm spam.)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

13 posted on 09/01/2003 12:17:58 PM PDT by TEXOKIE

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

14 posted on 09/01/2003 1:03:32 PM PDT by blackie

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

This is wonderful! Thanks for posting it.
I've got the address written down and will see what I can gather up to send. We don't have kids ourselves but a lot of our friends have small grandchildren.
Sending this out so others will be able to contribute, too.

15 posted on 09/01/2003 4:00:10 PM PDT by radu (May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl; snippy_about_it

16 posted on 09/01/2003 4:26:02 PM PDT by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)

LOL. That's perfect.

17 posted on 09/01/2003 4:42:43 PM PDT by snippy_about_it (Pray for our troops)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

How about a bunch of 'new' beanie babies. I would love to send some of the extras my grandchildren don't need. They are new in that they have not been played with, but some have been in a box for several years.

18 posted on 09/01/2003 4:48:14 PM PDT by mathluv

Thank you, radu. That's a great idea. I'm going to see if our community newsletter will mention the drive. We have many grandparents living far from their grandchildren who are expert shoppers and mailers.

19 posted on 09/01/2003 6:05:16 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity."- Winston Churchill {and aids evildoers- RC})

How about a bunch of 'new' beanie babies.

YES. I think these children, and their parents, would be very grateful. Beanie babies would be easy to pack and send, as well. They'd even make great 'packing material'. Thanks for the idea. (^:

20 posted on 09/01/2003 6:10:16 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity."- Winston Churchill {and aids evildoers- RC})

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