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OPERATION GRATITUDE (pictures)

Posted on 05/29/2004 8:26:42 PM PDT by markv840

Operation Gratitude (SM) is an organization that is dedicated to sending care packages to the troops deployed in Iraq (and other parts of the world). Recently they have undertaken the enormous task of shipping 10,000 (!!) packages containing things such as: lotion, CD’s, DVD’s, candy, snacks, t-shirts, and letters from people who just want to say “thank you”; packages are sent through USPS, and the shipping cost per package runs at $15 - $30 (this time it’s more than ten thousand packages, you do the math). On this Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of volunteers have started the overwhelming task of assembling the boxes, preparing the packages, filling customs forms, and many other tasks that make this operation possible. Operation Gratitude is the brainchild of Carolyn Blasheck, as I’m told, she started this incredible project from her own house, and now, since it has become such a huge effort, the contents of the packages are now sent to the National Guard armory in Van Nuys, California, where they are stored until it’s time to assemble and ship the packages. You can visit operation gratitude’s website: www.opgratitude.com.

PS- Point to the picture for a Commentary.

Volunteers, assembling boxes

Carolyn

That is Carolyn Blashek(center), Mr.Diamond on the left(whose rank I don't know, unfortunately), and an "unknown" on the right.

Volunteers filling Customs forms

Stacking care packages

Yours Trully

Guess who?

Packages ready to be loeaded onto the truck

Truck, Humvee, Pick-up truck, and a family van, getting ready to leave.

Quite a few volunteers, doing all kinds of tasks.

Packages, being loaded onto the truck

A customs form must be filled for each package, the people at the table are doing just that

MORE care packages ready to go



TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: California; Unclassified
KEYWORDS: carepackages; military; operationgratitude; supportourtroops; troops
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To: Mo1
"BTW .. ever notice there are never pictures of liberals doing these things for our soldiers??"

Carolyn Blashek(center), Mr.Diamond(left), Tony Cárdenas (right).

Actually, the "unknown" in the picture above is Tony Cárdenas, DEMOCRAT, councilmember for the 6th District; but frankly, since this has gotten such a good local news coverage, I would consider questioninig his motives; of course, it is possible that he does, in fact care about this project; then again, who am I to judge?

21 posted on 05/30/2004 10:21:08 AM PDT by markv840
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To: markv840

Thank you for posting this. We were not aware of this wonderful agency but thanks to you, we were able to make a donation. We now have it book marked and will recommend to family and friends. Thanks again.


22 posted on 05/30/2004 10:32:23 AM PDT by Two-Bits (Stupidity is not inherited but indoctrinated by the Left. Stop indoctrination NOW! Activate Brain!)
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To: markv840; Rabid Dog

I'm in Camarillo and will be there around noon time. I came on line to look for the address. We have some things to donate. By the way, the Reagan Library is accepting donations to send to Walter Reed, and you get free admission thru July 4th.


23 posted on 05/30/2004 10:49:39 AM PDT by merry10
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To: Two-Bits

You're welcome; and thank you for donating, I believe this operation is a one of the greatest ways in which we can say "thank you" to our brave military men and women. It is essential that they [the troops] know that we stand together to support them here in the home front. Aside from money, supplies, or time donated, a great way to contribute is to send letters to the soldiers, since a letter is put in every packet (I think letters are an important part of the contents of these packages).


24 posted on 05/30/2004 11:05:53 AM PDT by markv840
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To: markv840
VetsCoR will be delivering a couple hundred "With Love and Affection" tribute CD's on Memorial Day. Here are some Reviews.
25 posted on 05/30/2004 11:10:04 AM PDT by A Navy Vet (Moderate Islam is the Trojan horse; Radical Islam is the carriage)
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To: A Navy Vet
Exelent! thanks for the heads-up!

Question: how are these CD's being distributed to the soldiers? It would be great projects like these could work in conjunction with other charities such as Operation Gratitude. If projects like these work together and organize, tenths of thousands of soldiers could be reached, and even more Americans would be able to show their support :o)

26 posted on 05/30/2004 11:31:03 AM PDT by markv840
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To: markv840
You are more than welcome.

Bump this baby to the top!!

27 posted on 05/30/2004 11:43:42 AM PDT by Two-Bits (Stupidity is not inherited but indoctrinated by the Left. Stop indoctrination NOW! Activate Brain!)
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To: markv840

28 posted on 05/30/2004 4:41:17 PM PDT by hnorris (Deserve Victory)
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To: hnorris; A Navy Vet; All
While we're on this topic, I came accross an amazing flash presentation a few days ago; it is a very powerful tribute to our military, past and present. Actually, powerful might be an understatement, I cried when I saw it, it made me feel extremely thankful, and proud of our brave men and women.

Check it out.

29 posted on 05/30/2004 9:14:37 PM PDT by markv840
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To: markv840
VetsCoR has been working with Operation Gratitude for some time now. We've sent Carolyn numerous copies of our slide show, "With Love and Affection". They are free to any active military member and have no advertisements or agendas, other than to say thank you.

You can view a small sample on our main page: VetsCoR. Click on the graphic for more info.

30 posted on 05/31/2004 6:33:41 AM PDT by A Navy Vet (Moderate Islam is the Trojan horse; Radical Islam is the carriage)
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To: markv840

God bless all of these wonderful Americans!


31 posted on 05/31/2004 7:32:39 PM PDT by ladyinred (The leftist media is the enemy within.)
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To: markv840

Cardenas' arranged for Pizza for everyone on Sunday. As for motives besides the right thing to do he's running for mayor of Los Angeles. He wants Hahn's job and has a good shot at getting it. The people who were there for the 3 days vote in a higher percentage than others in the city.


32 posted on 05/31/2004 10:11:23 PM PDT by airedale
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To: markv840
Bump!!!

$$$$ sent!!!

33 posted on 06/01/2004 8:53:47 AM PDT by isthisnickcool (I'm isthisnickcool, and I approved this post!)
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To: markv840

Great Job! You guys are great!

34 posted on 06/01/2004 11:16:36 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Liberals believe ignorance is bliss.............)
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To: isthisnickcool
"$$$$ sent!!!"

Thank you, that's great!

And thank you all for your support

35 posted on 06/01/2004 11:29:55 AM PDT by markv840
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To: airedale
Oh great, youse guys get pizzas and all we got on Monday were some donuts (which were much appreciated and NEEDED). If Saturday and Sunday was anything like Monday, there are a lot of tired people out there after this effort. It took 4-5 of us at the end of the assembly line just to load the pallets and get them out to the trucks. Phew!

BTW, I'm an ex-airdale from the Gator Navy. USS New Orleans (LPH-11)

36 posted on 06/01/2004 2:55:00 PM PDT by A Navy Vet (Moderate Islam is the Trojan horse; Radical Islam is the carriage)
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To: Two-Bits

Thank you for your donation. It's nice to know that your $$$ are turned into real usable gifts that are greatly appreciated.


37 posted on 06/01/2004 3:38:49 PM PDT by A Navy Vet (Operation Gratitude - www.opgratitude.com)
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To: markv840

Did you get my Freepmail concerning Carolyn Blashek?


38 posted on 06/01/2004 4:44:03 PM PDT by A Navy Vet (Operation Gratitude - www.opgratitude.com)
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To: A Navy Vet

Oh yes, Thank you; I just got to my mail a few minutes ago, and I will e-mail her as soon as I finnish typing this :o)


39 posted on 06/01/2004 5:52:41 PM PDT by markv840
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To: A Navy Vet
There were donuts there too on Sunday in the passageway to the kitchen and restrooms. I, however, am on a diet and so I missed out on both.

They sent out over 10,000 packages which something like 425 packages per hour or 8 packages a minute give or take a little. They did a fantastic job.

The Airedale in my address comes from my favorite dog breed. I'm retired Navy but I was a ship driver
40 posted on 06/03/2004 12:36:13 PM PDT by airedale
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