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.

[SuziQ]

This sounds like it could be a great Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold Award project! Any Freepers' kids headed for that? Our daughter is about a year away from being ready to do her Gold Award project, but I'll sure keep this in mind in case there is still a need.

[A Citizen Reporter]

I'm happy to help. Please send the address.

[patriciaruth]

Ordered for express delivery, supposed to arrive Monday morning...hopefully. All they had at Cardinal Allegiance Medical supplies--19 pairs of large and 19 pairs of extra large Terry Treads (hospital slipper socks with rubber non-skid dots on the soles).

MoJo--Please let me know if they don't arrive as ordered. This is the first time I've dealt with this company and it was over the phone, so I need to know if they are trustworthy.

I'm going out now to get underwear and travel toiletries kits locally.

Cheers!
Patty

[MoJo2001]

Thank you so much Patty. I will definitely let you know. Wow!!

Thank you to everyone for their contributions. Any contribution is greatly appreciated!!

[cherry]

would you let me know what price you paid for the slipper socks?...I can buy a box of extra large for about $36 and which works out to about $.75 per pair....I will get them unless you can do better...

I checked out one of the local discount stores...I am sending razors and small toothpastes and some floss type toothpicks....I also have some candy, and some granola bars and some brkf bars...I will send this stuff right to "Brad's grandma" for now since she seems to be able to send things over on a military plane....

[cherry]

If stupid here (me!) would just read her email, she would know exactly where to send stuff and money....sheesh.....

I have the address now so no problems......lol

[WKB]

Thanks for the ping bump

[Aquamarine]

Hi The Sailor. Sent a package out this morning Priority Mail so it should get there in two days, could be Monday though.
Just wanted to welcome you to FreeRepublic and thank you for your service and the opportunity that you provided here for me to do my small part for the wonderful men and women in our Armed Forces.

[MoJo2001]

Hello Aquamarine,

Thank you so much for your contribution. It is greatly appreciated.

The Sailor is currently on Watch and probably isn't available to answer. (Um, he better not be. He's supposed to be working. Hehe!) Anyways, he will see this message this weekend.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to FReepmail me. We are trying to get a newsletter together with information and other things for everyone that has contributed. We would like to show you how you are helping our Troops.

[MoJo2001]

We all do that kind of stuff. So? Don't sweat it. LOL!

[MoJo2001]

If you are sending contributions, please FReepmail me your name and where you are located. So? We will be able to privately ping you to let you know your items have arrived. Besides, I'd like the command to know who is sending the items.

Thank you!

[amom]

Thanks so very much for the ping. I've been out of the loop lately (work related) and do appreciate being able to catch up and join in.

[Aquamarine]

We are trying to get a newsletter together with information and other things for everyone that has contributed. We would like to show you how you are helping our Troops.

That sounds great, please include me when sending the newsletter out.

[Brad’s Gramma]

I will send this stuff right to "Brad's grandma" for now since she seems to be able to send things over on a military plane....

YIKES! Sure glad I read your NEXT post!

Me? A military plane...hmmmm.......think I'm gonna let Gramps know WHAT KIND OF AUTHORITY I WIELD! LOL!!!

[Brad’s Gramma]

MudPuppy! THANK YOU!!!!!

WOW!!!!!!

[Brad’s Gramma]

Boy and Girl Scouts......Hmmmmm....wonder if we can contact them? Does anyone have an "in"???

[Brad’s Gramma]

OH
MY
GOSH!

Patriciaruth!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!

[Brad’s Gramma]

So, ya wrote to the Newbie, didja? LOL!!!

Thanks, Aquamarine. SOOOOOOOOOOOO much!

[McGavin999]

Just sent off a package with 10 of everything. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deoderant, shampoo, baby powder, lotion, Purell, 2 ten packs of razors, gum, playing cards and candy. It should be there Monday.

[Brad’s Gramma]

You've had your tagline for awhile now, I know that .... go back and reread your post, putting the tagline along with it.

INCREDIBLE! McGavin, THANK YOU!!!!!