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First of all sincere thanks to all of you who have responded to this request. ConcreteBob and I are honored to be spearheading this project for the Soldiers in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan. While we have received generous donations to date we are still very short of the NECESSARY items they are asking for. One lady in Texas adopted the entire A (Able)Company and has shipped 140 pairs of socks, 140 pairs of sock liners, 150 pairs of hand warmers, 100 neck gaitors, 150 tubes of lip balm, 150 packets of body wipes and mass quantities of jerky, candy and drink mix to Able Company. She was not able to provide the long johns so we still need those for Able Company. She chooses to remain annoymous but I know who she is and can't tell her thanks enough. We have also received 950 additional sticks of lip balm - white tubes, red caps and blue writing with messages of encouragement on them. So we are good on the lip balm.

Now as to the "what we need" questions
1600 pair of long johns. Can be bought via U S Cav per ConcreteBob's link or even at WalMart, etc. Must be dark colors. Sizes medium and large
800 dark or earthtone colored neck gaitors
700 balcalvas
Cases of hand warmers and body/baby wipes - unscented
warm gloves that must be thin enough for them to be able to use with their weapons
blank greeting cards for them to send back home to their loves ones
paper, envelopes and ink pens
AA and AAA batteries
Wool hiking socks - dark colors (grey is OK). We have already sent close to 1000 pair.
Fleece blankets - must be dark colors - these are used by the men who hike out to the observation posts in lieu of packing their sleeping bags. I'm told they like the blankets because they take up less room than the sleeping bag and that is important with all of the gear they have to haul.

As to the question of "why?" they need this gear all I can tell you is they left Italy in May for Afghanistan with their normal Army issue items. They have no PX and no DFAC at the KOP, Firebases or Observation Points. They are on MREs and bottled water. Many of these men are single and have no spouse to send them things that they could get in Italy. If you go to AnySoldier.com and search by "where unit is from" and put in "Italy" you will find requests from many of these Soldiers asking for the items listed above along with snack foods, DVDs and other items. ConcreteBob and I are just trying to focus on the items necessary to help get them through the harsh winter at 8000 feet and up in the Hindu Kush Mtns.

The men at the KOP and the Observation Posts only get a hot shower and a hot meal about once every 4-6 weeks. They are washing themselves and their laundry in 5 gallon buckets. The only opportunity they have to call or email home is once very 4-6 weeks.

As I've told numerous people, any ONE item is a huge help for these Soldiers. Sorry to be so long winded. Just wanted to give details to those who were interested. I appreciate all of you for you interest and for being the Patriots that you are. I look forward to seeing you on Friday.

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Freepmail on its way!

Welcome to FReeRepublic. It is a great place to spread your wings and to get help when you need it the most.

[Mr] T

Just got back from K-Mart. They’ve got fleece throws (50X70”) on sale for $6. I’m not sure how Martha Stewart will like her stuff decorating mud huts in Afghanistan, but...

Anyway, Leta says it doesn’t matter what color they are now. Buy, buy, buy!!!