An Opportunity to Help Our Wounded Servicemen and Women

Self | April 21, 2004 | Brad's Gramma

[Brad’s Gramma]

Freepers, I have been sent an email from someone stationed in Iraq regarding an urgent need by our wounded servicemen/women. For security reasons, the whole email can NOT be posted here. Read on, please.



Today I went to visit the military hospital here in the Green Zone. Yesterday my boss (a Marine) had gone to visit some of the Marines brought here from the Fallujah fighting. When he asked one of the wounded Marines if there was anything he could get for him, the Marine requested a razor so he could shave and be within standards again before he was discharged from the hospital. My boss also found that the hospital basically was lacking phones for the patients to be able to call home and talk with their loved ones. I think they only had one that the chaplain carried with him and let the patients use when visiting them. We were able to scrounge up a few razors and got a couple of our cell phones signed over to the ward. I took the items back today along with some candy folks gave me and spent some time talking with the patients.

Afterwards, I talked with the ward personnel and they gave me a list of items they can always use. Our hospital is the largest surgical hospital here in Iraq so most of the patients are evac'd here for their initial care until they can be stabilized and evac'd to Germany or returned to duty (although it is not a big hospital-more like a clinic sized unit).

Of course most of the wounded come in with only what they were wearing in most cases. As such, they don't have things like toothbrushes, etc. A lot of you are always asking if there is anything you can send me. There really isn't anything I need, but these folks could use some things for the wounded. It really is humbling when you think about these young men and women who have been wounded, some of them terribly, and they are really excited about getting a razor or some chocolate candy. So, following is the list of things the ward personnel said they could really use for their patients.

On the hygiene items (toothpaste, shampoo, etc.), they are interested in the travel size products because the wounded are normally only here for a short period of time before they are transferred out to bigger hospitals that have better supplies of these items, or back to their units where they have access to their stuff. If you would like to donate any of these things (or start a drive for these things) just mail them to me. My office will sort the items and make sure they get to the hospital. If you would like to send food items, we'll need individually wrapped or single serving items. And, chocolate is okay if it's mailed soon before it gets too hot (but to tell the truth, we've been known to lick it off the wrapper when we want it bad enough!).

Razors
Shaving Cream
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Mouthwash
Soap
Shampoo
Feminine Hygiene Products
Underclothes (male and female)-okay this may sound like a strange item, but remember they normally only come in with the stuff they are wearing and normally those are ruined
Slippers/FlipFlop type of things (in large sizes-apparently the things on the local economy are pretty small)
Hospital PJs
Candy
Crackers
Snack Items
Anything else you can think of

Additionally, we like to go out and give our young Marines pulling post duty candy/cookies, so we can always use that type of stuff. We had a great time delivering our Easter candy stash Sunday and we left a lot of Marines grinning from ear to ear.

* * * * * * *

MoJo20001's husband's division is going to be collecting the items and sending them via transport to the hospital in Iraq. IF you feel so inclined, and the need IS urgent...please let one of us know.

We also are coming across names...MANY MANY names of servicemen who need care packages, a letter, sometimes depending upon the branch of service, an email. If you can commit to being faithful with the correspondence, PLEASE let us know about that, too.

[patriciaruth]

Okay, MoJo. I got the address and I'll send kits ASAP. As I am on West Coast, I'll spring for two day delivery.

[cherry]

I am thinking of sending a little money instead to MoJo.....how would that be?.... I was tied up with dr. visits all day today....

either that, or maybe just go and buy a lot of one thing to send...

can we bake stuff.....or make candy to send?.........

[patriciaruth]

I'm going to get some real hospital kits and travel kits tomorrow. The hospital gowns and socks will cost a bit, I expect, but as I used to be on the family practice staff they may give it to me for cost.

If you want to send a contribution to me, I have a long history at FR of accepting donations and sending care packages to the troops. MoJo could probably use money, too.

I only thought I wanted a garden arbor for my birthday next month....

[Brad’s Gramma]

Patriciaruth, words of thanks fail me. God bless you for helping out!!!

cherry, I, and a bazillion others will vouch for patriciaruth. Thank you, too...SO MUCH!!

[patriciaruth]

It's for our beloved troops.

Tears spring into my eyes as I remember the cargo bay filled with flag draped coffins. At least we can comfort the wounded.

I will have to trust our dear Lord to comfort those who gave us the last full measure of devotion...

[cherry]

I actually work at a hospital....they are cheap b*stards but maybe I can check out the price for the slippers, etc....I will check tomorrow, but I will do SOMETHING!!!

[patriciaruth]

Great!

I'll check back tomorrow and let you all know what I managed to get in the mail.

[Freesofar]

You can definitely count me in for a big fat goody basket.
Just e-mail me with a brief and address please.
I wanted to act but I saw somewhere that they were not accepting unsolicited packages, I did not want to launch a dud.
Thanks its the least I could do.

[patriciaruth]

I have the address, but I will let you pass on this FReepers bona fides and let you personally Freepmail him the address.

[bjcintennessee]

Please FReepmail me the address.

[Brad’s Gramma]

(hehe)

[dandelion]

Count me in, BG. I could send letters, and a few items... to whom do we send?

[Brad’s Gramma]

BTW, everyone...just so everyone understands...we can NOT have contact with these guys and girls who are wounded. They're in and out of that hospital with no time for mail.

IF you're wanting to do the mail or email only, it's going to be a couple of weeks for the Marines (the new ones going over) to be settled. I have a LIMITED list of email addresses of sailors, for right now, if your fingers are gettin' itchy! LOL!

To bed with me! God bless you ALL!!!

[dixiechick2000]

I'd be very happy to help out.Please freepmail the address,
and just tell me what to do. Hubby was in the Navy...
I know a little about orders. ;o)

Thank you, RC, Coop and JH2, for the pings. Attending to
our troops comfort is probably the best we can do for them.

With that said, I hope you don't mind if I ping the
Mississippi list. There are quite a few patriotic people
in Mississippi. And, I would like to apologize to those
on the list if this is a dup ping.

Sailor, thank you for your service. I decided to answer
you because you're the newbie. lol

Welcome to Free Republic! With out you, and the rest of
our brave members of the military, we would not be a
FREE REPUBLIC.

[dixiechick2000]

BTW, this is my ONE post of the day.

I think I used it very wisely. ;o)

[Brad’s Gramma]

ONE POST? Oh that's just sick. LOL!!!!!!!!!

[JohnHuang2]

You're very welcome, my friend :-)

[windchime]

Bump!

[MudPuppy]

I've also put the word out to my office and Young Marines.

Collections have started and items will start to be shipped early next week.

Thanks for all you do!!!!
Semper Fi!

[Betteboop]

The only reason I found out anything is because I did a Google search and came up with a newspaper article about him and the fact that he was seriously injured (he had a spinal injury and was paralyzed) There was an address to make donations--it was to the Navy Credit Union--so that's where I sent my donation with a letter, but I got nothing except an acknowledgement from the credit union that I made the donation. I assume they sent my letter to the family--but don't know for sure.