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.

[Brad’s Gramma]

This is now an official prayer warrior field trip destination!

YEA!!!!!! Prayer Warrior Field Trip!! You're awesome! Bumping YOUR link! Thanks so much, everyone.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

[getgoing]

Sign my daughter & I up...will send freep mail.
I rec'd an email last yr from a navy medic who had rec'd no mail until our care pack. Imagine, our injured wondering if anyone remembers or cares?

BG, thank you for this opportunity. The least we can do is send support - as others send their spouse or child into the fight for freedom! RC, appreciative (tears in my eyes)"thanks" for your ping.

[My back yard]

Dwarf is on it. situation handled. :)

[xJones]

Sign me up also, and please FReepmail me the address.

[Brad’s Gramma]

I'll be back online in a couple of hours...MOJO will supply you with an address in the meantime, when SHE gets back here! :-)

Thank you all SO MUCH!!!!!!!

[netmilsmom]

This is the 4H project I was talking about.

[lakey]

Before last Christmas, I tried to get a Marine's address. None were available, so I had two men and one female from the 101st Airborne.

You can send me one Marine's name and address. I still have U.S. Postal Priority boxes - took me three tries to get the right size - too late, I didn't see the freeper post telling us to take the box to the store to make sure things fit.

[Chong]

TEXOKIE sent us out on a field trip from the Troop Prayer thread and here I am. (Where's the picnic food?)
Please send me info via freepmail when you get a chance. I would love to send material support and correspond with our brave men and women in uniform to let them know how much we all appreciate them for serving our country and protecting freedom.
Bless you, Gramma and Tex.

[NRA2BFree]

I'm more than happy to help. It's the least I can do. Please FReepmail me the Addy's where I need to send the packages and also the names of soldiers to write to. Thanks for doing this for our soldiers, BG! ;-) God Bless and protect them all.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Feast away! LOL!!!! I'll BBL to help y'all!!!

[radu]

Thank you for posting this, BG! Together, we FReepers can help these troops get the things they need.
Sent a FReepmail to MoJo already and am ready to SHOP! LOL!

Thanks for the pings, RC and SAM!

[Chong]

Chomp, chew, chomp, chomp, grunt, yummmmmmm.........

Thanks, Gramma!!! I feel much better now. :-)
(You are a sweetheart.)

[MoJo2001]

Well, I'm glad you get everyone fed!

I'll be back to send out the address and answer any questions. Also, my hubby will be making his appearance for the first time at FR as an actual poster. So? Try to be gentle everyone. This is the least he can do since it's his division that needs the help.

[netmilsmom]

pls see post 48, it's for you!

[Chong]

We shall post "Member since xx/xx/xxxx"
Heh!

[tiamat]

You've got mail!

Don't count on me for nuthin' right now, though, Gal!

We signed the purchase agreement yesterday and I am up to my armpits in alligators!

[The Mayor]

It's time for my church to get together on this..

Bump!

Finest Ping!

[TexKat]

Please freepmail me the delivery address Brad's Gramma, I would be more than happy to help those that are fighting for our freedom.

God bless them.

[ducks1944]

Send me address also and a soldier address to email or write. I have them all on my pray list everyday. But would love to have names of some I could write to. There no better way to let them know how much we care about them. so please let know.