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.

[McGavin999]

It's the only way I can feel like a part of this. If I were younger I would be over there fighting.

[HiJinx]

Okay, the box is packed and I'm on my way to the Post Office...or UPS, whichever one is still open.

Shaving/Oral Hygiene kits, deodorant, foot powder, magazines, this thread, T-Shirts and running shorts, jerky, life-savers, and fruit chews.

Thanks to you both for this opportunity!

HJ

[jwalsh07]

btt

[Aquamarine]

How did you get this thread in the package? :)

[HiJinx]

Well...bit of prognostication...it's printing as we 'speak'!!!

[DLfromthedesert]

Sorry I'm so late getting to this. Please freepmail me the address. I very much want to help.

[patriciaruth]

I just mailed 3 packages for this emergency lift of toiletries, snacks and underwear for our wounded in Iraq. If anyone wishes to help me with the expenses, which come to about $465, please FReepmail me for my address.

10 Toiletries kits, packed in Ziplock baggies include toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, chapstick, mouthwash, soap in plastic box, razor, shaving cream, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, Q-tips, comb, Kleenex, shampoo, deodorant. Also put in pack of Kotex maxi pads, pack of pantie liners, and 2 boxes of Playtex tampons, reg and super. Also in this package are 10 M&M's, 10 Kitkats, 1 pks of 8 pks crackers with cheese and 1 pk of 8 pks. crackers with peanut butter. This was mailed priority.

Underwear: 6 sports bras (sizes M, L and XL), 5 pks Hanes female underwear (one each sizes 6 and 7), T-shirts 4 packages of 5 in M, L and XL, briefs 3 pks M, L and XL, boxers (couldn't find cheap pj's) 3 pks (2 L and 1XL), mailed 2 day express.

Hospital Terry Tread nonslip slipper socks-16 pr each L and XL being 2 day expressed by a medical supply company.

[New Perspective]

Please freepme the address. I would consider it an honor to help out.

[patriciaruth]

Your supply is cheaper. Mine cost 1.98 a pair because they didn't have cartons left at the only place I could locate quickly, only loose single packs.

[Aquamarine]

OK, gotcha...;)

[deadhead]

Bump

[Mo1]

Girl Scouts of Freedom Valley

[OregonRancher]

Please count me in! let me know.....how about pre-paid phone cards? Can they use them over there? Got a lOT of CASH in my pocket that's burning to get spent.

[patriciaruth]

Looks like the FReepers are starting to come through for this emergency appeal for toiletries, snacks, underwear, etc for our wounded in Iraq.

It makes sense they would have run out considering the unexpectly high number of wounded this month.

God bless our troops and please protect those still in the field.

[Joe_October]

I freepmailed to find out where I could help.

I also, went to www.hanes.com, and sent this message to them:

Hi, I was recently surfing the Internet and came upon an article requesting help for wounded soldiers in the Middle East. In the article, the wives of some of the soldiers indicated that the injured service men and woman are in desperate need of underwear (among other things).

In the article, the posters are collecting goods such as razors, toiletries, comfort foods for our heroes.

I noticed there was a pointed comment that the men and woman have a serious need for fresh under clothing. Now, we can do a lot and we will, but Hanes, .... you could solve that little problem. In the big complicated business of fighting for freedom, perhaps we overlook the little things.

I know you have a huge marketing department and every good deed has to be considered but if a pallet or two (or a dozen) of your great product were to find it's way to the these men (and women) who need us now, it would do a lot of good.

Thank-you for your consideration.

(Please refer to this link for this information http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1121972/posts?page=151,21)


Not all letters need to be complaints.

[Brad’s Gramma]

If I were younger I would be over there fighting.

I betcha you would...proudly. :-)

[Brad’s Gramma]

PIPER'S GRANDPA RULES!!!!!!!!!

[Brad’s Gramma]

hehe

[Brad’s Gramma]

INCOMING!!!!!! Thanks YET AGAIN, DL, for your help!!!

[patriciaruth]

Great idea and follow-through, Joe! I just bought and mailed some Hanes products.