Care Packages and Thank-You Notes for our Troops in Afghanistan

self | 7-3-04 | patriciaruth

[patriciaruth]

Our troop support group finally found a way to send care packages to our troops in Afghanistan, and I've received a couple letters this week requesting goodies. We're pretty excited about finally making contact, and are inviting others who want to show support to join us.

If you can't afford to contribute money or goods, the troops also really appreciate letters, cards and notes, and request your prayers for their safety and peace of mind.

The first set of care packages and thank you cards and notes that we sent to Afghanistan for the Fourth of July were received with joy and you can read about them on the second half of our last thread, Write a Thank You Note to a Soldier in Iraq this Memorial Day Weekend

We've been collecting goodies and contributions toward the next set of care packages to go to Afghanistan. Our contact there will send them to the troops at the outlying fire bases, and has requested toiletries, movies, paperback books, snacks, and games for them.

Also, there are ongoing requests from a group of soldiers near Kirkuk in Iraq for items for the poor village schools and children in the surrounding area, specifically elementary school supplies and children's toys and crayons 24 to a box are a special project of theirs.

[asgardshill]

Who are the Tholians anyway?

They're not the kind of beings you'd want to associate with.

[asgardshill]

Package Number 2 to Bagram is outta here. Here's what's in it:

- Playstation 2 w/two 8MB memory cards, 2 DualShock2 controllers, 2 remote controls and IR module, all cords/cables, and 11 games (again disguised as DVDs).

- Copy of Unfit for Command and American Soldier.

- Copy of National Enquirer and Weekly World News. I believe truth to be an ideal, and I think our fighting forces are ready for the news that they've discovered the world's fattest dog.

- 12 bags of beef jerky (10 oz ea).

- 60 Power Bars (2.29 oz ea, 48 chocolate and 12 peanut butter).

- 15 microwave popcorn (3.5 oz ea) and 6 caramel popcorn (6.5 oz ea)).

- 2 radio-controlled cars with batteries. The cars (Jeep Cherokee and Chevy Camaro) are about 2 inches long and the controller is a little larger than a pack of cigarettes. This addition was at the suggestion of my 6 year old nephew who did guy things with his uncle today because its his birthday. He was worried that the soldiers don't have anything to play with, so he picked them out and helped to pack them.

[patriciaruth]

Just fantastic!!

Tell your nephew I think the toys he chose are terrific and that the soldiers will love playing with them!

Now we hold on and wait for confirmation of arrival. I'll let you know soon as I hear anything, and you let me know if you hear first.

[patriciaruth]

Absolutely fantastic!

Tell your nephew that I think the toys he chose are way cool and that the soldiers will love them!

Now we wait for them to arrive. I'll let you know if I hear anything and please let me know if you hear first.

I'm so glad you're as crazy as I am when it comes to showing the troops we care.

[asgardshill]

I'll tell him, in the morning. He's asleep in the guest bedroom (and you should have heard THAT argument because I've probably got at least one cartoon that he hasn't seen yet). I won't be far behind him either - long day.

Now I'm off to find some Tyvek to fabricate some untearable Bush/Cheney placards. That story about the 3 year old girl getting the sign snatched out of her hand and torn up got me to thinking ... (wolfish grin)

[patriciaruth]

MJY1288 got a box of books from someone and forwarded it to KIRKUK. The DVD donated by norton is now on its way to Bagram, thanks to MJY1288

Anybody recognize these? There were a couple of people who were going to mail things to MJY1288, and I can't remember who these came from.

"Sacred Cow -by- Tony Hillerman
"Area 7" -by- Matthew Reilly
"Moving Pictures" -by- Terry Pratchett
"Talking God" -by- Tony Hillerman
"The Legacy of Heorot" -by- Larry Niven
"Minor in Posession" -by- J.A. Nance
"Trinity" -by- Leon Uris
"It Doesn't Take a Hero" -by- Norman Schwarzkopf
"The Real Story" -by- Stephen Donaldson
"Basket Case" -by- Carl Hiaason
"Stalking the Angel" -by- Elvis Cole
"Coyote Waits" -by- Tony Hillerman
"Night Watch" -by- Terry Pratchett
"Complete Work" -by- Shakespear
"Night Whispers" -by- Judith McNaugh
"Forbidden Knowledge" -by- Stephen Donaldson

[MJY1288]

Hi Patti,

Do you know if the first packages I sent have arrived in Irag yet?

[MJY1288]

BTW I have a box of goodies I have put together for the troops, Some DVD's and some Gourmet instant coffee, sugar and sweet-n-low, instant creamer as well as cashews and peanuts.

Who would you suggest I send them to?

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

In honor of our Freedom Fighters:


'MODERN DAY HEROES: In Defense of America'

http://www.ModernDayHeroes.com/aloha

.

[quietolong]

Why the mission in Iraq will be a success
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1220363/posts

[patriciaruth]

What are the movies?

I have a master list of what's gone where.

The snacks would be loved by any of them, so I'll make the recommendation based on the movie titles.

[patriciaruth]

The DVD/VCR player arrived. It wasn't hooked up yet when I inquired a couple weeks ago.

They were just finishing building a dayroom for the soldiers, and were going to hook in up in the upcoming week.

Implication: We've sent so much stuff, they needed to build a day room to hold it all!!

[patriciaruth]

Email from KIRKUK!

Hi Patti,

I guess we actually could use a microwave. I thought we would have one by now, but we will only be here for 4-5 more months approximately.

When we leave, we will be handing over everything to the next crew that falls in on our mission. I think they will definitely appreciate all we leave for them.

I still have the popcorn that you sent and I will use it if we get a microwave.

Thanks,
C****

Anybody want to chip in toward a microwave for Beast Battery in Kirkuk so they can pop microwave popcorn?

Or is someone feeling flush and willing to get one? You can order it from somewhere and have them ship it to MJY1288. He's getting pretty good at reshipping stuff.

For popcorn I think an autoturntable is necessary.

[Dante3]

BUMP

[patriciaruth]

You're so faithful, I sometimes want to call you Tonto.

No disrespect intended.

[asgardshill]

I never even imagined that they couldn't get a microwave in Kirkuk. Just another slap in the face by the Wet Mackerel of Reality for those of us here who wouldn't think twice about hopping in the family flivver and picking one up at the local Megalo Mart.

Anyway, the mighty Asgard insist upon the honor of springing for one microwave oven, FOB Kirkuk. 2 cubic feet capacity, turntable, 1200 watts, 11 power levels, night light, and ... popcorn key. (Actually, I think I'll get two; mine is pushing 10 years old and is the only appliance in my kitchen that's the wrong color - a brown and black monstrosity in a sea of fingerprint-resistant white and brushed stainless steel). Besides, Thor needs the tax writeoff.

I'll pick it up Friday and mail it Saturday.

[Mo1]

You can order it from somewhere and have them ship it to MJY1288.

Ain't the internet grand :0)

If you still need one .. just let me know where to send it

[patriciaruth]

Swheats has beaten you to the punch, on the microwave, MFS. So, if you're keen on getting an appliance, start thinking toaster oven.

Meanwhile, I just got the StarWars trilogy in its silverbox!

These little surprises keep on a coming from you.

I picked up some goodies last week just to round out the pile, including Gladiator.

[asgardshill]

Ummkay. But I'm still going to replace that dinosaur in my kitchen - maybe pick up one of those big KitchenAid mixers to boot. They make one in brushed chrome that would look great. My old faithful Sunbeam stand mixer (in harvest gold) was a hand-me-down from my mother who got it from HER mother. Its earned an honorable retirement.

Toaster oven, eh? I'll do some checking.

Glad to hear that you finally received the Star Wars trilogy. When I ordered it, I foolishly didn't notice that it wasn't going to be released until late September.

[patriciaruth]

We just got a very special gift from Bagram...

A flag made in the U.S., with embroidered stars and sewn stripes, that they flew over Bagram, Afghanistan, on September 11, 2004, from the JPOTF there.

And a beautiful certificate of thanks.

*wiping away a tear*

I'll have to bring it to the next get together in Fresno, so all can see. It's the nicest thing I've ever had, next to the Civil War letter my great grandfather wrote.