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FReeper Canteen ~ Ways to Support the Troops ~ July 29, 2004
MoJo2001, Kathy in Alaska , Brad's Gramma and FRiends of the Canteen

Posted on 07/28/2004 7:59:46 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

 
 
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.
 
 
Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!
 
 

 
 
 

 
~ SUPPORT OUR TROOPS INFORMATION ~
Welcome to the FR Canteen! We hope everyone is excited and ready to go. Throughout these past few weeks, we've received requests for information on how to Support Our Troops. Below we have put together information from various sources. This isn't a complete list, but something to help you get started. Any little bit that you contribute to helping our Troops is greatly appreciated. If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions, post it on the thread. We look forward to hearing from everyone!


 

The link above is to the Canteen Post Office. Please click to visit for further resources and information. Thank you!!
~ GETTING STARTED ~
Supporting our Troops can be fulfilling, rewarding, patriotic, and quite simple. The problem for many Americans is figuring out how to begin. Here's a few tips for you.

1. Find an organization that supports our Troops. There are many out there. Look towards the bottom for a few of the organizations that can help you achieve your goal.

2. READ EVERYTHING! If you visit a site that is set up to Support Our Troops, then read all the information they provide for you. Make sure that you know what you're getting yourself into. Also, make sure that you understand the requirements. Ask questions via email or phone. These are usually included on the website. Don't be afraid to ask questions. After all, they want your help to Support Our Troops. They should be more than willing to provide any answers you need.

3. Time and Money! If you have the time, you might find that emailing or snail mail will work better for you. It isn't expensive writing letters via snail mail. It is absolutely free to do so via email. If you choose to send care packages, make sure you understand that you do not have to go bankrupt supporting our heroes. The idea behind care packages is to "send a little piece of home" to our Troops. Not to bankrupt you.

4. Relatives, Friends, Co-Workers, and Places Of Worship! The very first thing you should do is check whether any of your friends, relatives, co-workers, or churches have members that are currently being deployed or soon to be. This makes it more personable for most people. Also, it allows for a better chance of getting a response back.

5. Expectations! If you decide this is what you want to do, please be prepared to not receive a response back. The likelihood of a response via email is much greater. However, please keep in mind that our Troops are engaged in fighting a War and may not have time to write you back. Can this be hard to take? For some folks, this can be particularly disheartening and upsetting. However, you are trying to provide the morale boost. Not the other way around.

~ UTILIZING RESOURCES ~

When you've decided what you are going to do and which organization (if any), you can begin utilizing resources to help. What do we mean?

EMAIL OR SNAIL MAIL
1.
Set up a time when you are going to email or send mail. Try to coordinate a schedule according to your availability. This is one of the easiest things to do. (Did we mention it's FREE?) Not all military branches offer email capability for all the Troops when they are "in the field". If you want to do email correspondence, then the Navy is probably your best bet. Everyone on a ship has access to email at some point.

2. Please keep in mind that you may not receive an email everyday. For snail mail, obviously you aren't going to receive a letter back all the time. Our Troops will try to get back to you when they can. Keep in mind that snail mail may not be answered. If you are going through an organization, they have a pretty good idea whether or not Troops will write back. (Ask them!)

3. Kids! What better way to teach your children about supporting our heroes than having them write letters or send drawings. This is a big hit with almost all of our Troops. It's always nice to know that some child took time out of their lives to do something special for them. Sunday School classes, Playtime groups, Daycare groups, and your own children can supply many smiles. Make it a family or a group project! Very simple, easy, and cheap.

4. If you've established a relationship with any of our Troops, perhaps you can begin having others write to them as well. Make sure to get permission before doing so. And make sure you trust other people to do this. Many of our Troops count on getting a little pick me up when times are tough. During deployment, morale can be a rollercoaster ride for many of them. Your function is to be their cheerleader. That's your main purpose. If you can't do that, then we suggest not committing yourself to do it.

CARE PACKAGES
1.
If you don't know the person you are sending to, send a small care package first. Do the essentials and basics: toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash, beef jerky, socks, small game, playing cards, a letter explaining who you are, and whatever else you can think of. (Keep in mind that Iraq and Afghanistan are really hot right now. So? Avoid anything that will melt and make a huge mess.)

2. If you don't hear back from them, then just send a small care package once a month. We suggest this because things change all the time in a War zone. So? To save you from spending too much money and frustration from not hearing back, it is recommended to send only once a month. If you receive your care package back, the address is either changed, wrong, or they're on their way home. Or the USPS cannot deliver it for some unknown reason. (This happens more than you can imagine.)

3. If you do establish a relationship with them, please keep the following things in mind. THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO ASK YOU FOR THINGS. If you ask them what they would like, then be prepared to get a variety of requests back. The choice of whether you send them or not is strictly up to you. If you feel you are being taken advantage of, notify the organization or their commanding officer. You have the power to say "no".

4. Many times when you begin corresponding with your individual Soldier/Sailor/Marine/Airman/Coastie, they will tell you about someone else that isn't receiving mail. This gives you the opportunity to allow others around you to help. Don't take all of this on by yourself. If you can afford it and want to do it, then by all means the choice is yours. For most of us, it's easier to get friends and family to adopt another soldier.

5. The most effective way to do a care package support is to know the person you are sending items to. If not, go through an organization or have a contact point on the other side. It's easier to keep things in balance. It makes life a lot easier for everyone when you can have accountability on both sides.

6. Get as many people involved with the care package support. Either take up a collection from co-workers, family members, or friends. This can be an enjoyable experience for everyone. Perhaps make it a community project. Have the kids draw or write letters. The adults can gather supplies to send. You can have care package support drives in your community. Ask the local businesses if they would like to donate items such as suntan lotion, baby wipes, food, or anything else that you can think of.

 

~ WHAT TO SEND ~

You've decided to finally send a care package! Great! Okay! What do I send? Well, here are a list of things that the FR Canteen has personally sent in the past few months.

Baby wipes
Beef, turkey, or any other kind of jerky you can find.
Socks (white)
underwear (you can save this for when contact has been established)
Suntan Lotion
Chapstick
Campbell's Hand Soup -
Click here if you don't know what we are talking about. (Make sure they have access to a microwave before sending)
Pasta Anytime - Click here for picture.(This is also a microwave item.)
Any type of candy - Make sure it isn't too hot before you send it.
Games - they love any kinds of games. Board games, cards, and most importantly: They love game console games for XBOX, PS2, Gamecube, etc.
Frisbees
Kettle Corn Popcorn - microwave item
Starkist Tuna Lunch Kits -
Click here for picture.
Little Debbie Snacks
Snack size pudding
Snack size jello
Crackers
Disposable cameras -
Yo Yos
Snack size fruit -
Click here for picture.
Capri Sun - Click here for picture.
DVD movies - any type that isn't pornographic. Use your own judgement. (For example, Playboy playmate movies would be a red flag.)
VHS movies - While MoJo hates VHS tapes, they may have access to watch them. You can buy most of this stuff cheaper online at Amazon.com used (same with DVD movies) or at your local video store. Or do a summer cleaning of your movie collection.
CD music - find out what they like before sending anything. (If you hate rap or country, this could prove to be very painful for you. Just ask Ma.)
Disposable razors
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
combs and hairbrushes
shampoo
lotion -
Our female troops really love this.
hairspray -
Kill the ozone, but make our female troops happy! WooHoo!
Contact solution - Click here for a picture.
Books and magazines - We've sent a variety of magazines. No Playboy or other type of magazines. Although, they do consider many of America's magazines to be too pornographic for Muslim countries. To avoid issues, cover it up with something. Many of the younger Troops love Car and Hunting type magazines.

Bibles - We've had request for more Bibles. We've sent them. Some organizations frown upon this practice. As Senior Chief told MoJo, "We are there defending their rights as Muslims, the least they can do is tolerate ours." If you'd like to donate Bibles, please contact MoJo2001.

Phone Cards - Make sure they are international ones. Also, you can buy them cheaper at Sam's Club, Wally World (Walmart), Costco (UGH!), and various other places.

Gift Cards - We did this with Sailors on the USS George Washington and it worked quite well. You can go to www.walmart.com and buy an online card. It allows them to get whatever they need online. And you can send as much as you want.

Portable DVD Players - (The ones with the LCD screens) This can be quite expensive, but you can find really good deals online for less than a hundred bucks some times. You can begin at www.pricewatch.com . Although, we would warn against doing this unless you know the person quite well. Receiving gifts like this makes other Troops ask for the same thing from their contact. This can really hinder the support. Use your judgment about what to do.

Most importantly: Whatever else you would like to send will probably be just fine. It's up to you!

 

~ What We've Found~

Since many of us have the experience of sending care packages and interacting with the military, we'll try to help those that haven't.

1. If you are serious about helping out the military, please keep in mind that you will have to play by their rules. If they say something is unacceptable, then abide by that rule. They are doing it to protect our military. Please respect their wishes.

2. Don't allow yourself to be aggravated or frustrated with the process. If you haven't heard back from your military contact, don't give up. They may or may not have the appropriate response time for you. If you are doing this to get a rewarding relationship, then we'd advise against it. You'll just have to know that you are doing the right thing. For many folks, that just isn't enough.

3. If you are sending care packages, keep in mind that they may already be receiving packages from other places. So? Don't feel bad if you don't fulfill their requests for items that seem out of your budget. You are doing this out of the kindness of your heart and to show support. That doesn't give anyone the right - military heroes and all - to make you feel like you must spend the bank to make them happy. We cannot stress this enough.

4. Most military personnel are so grateful to receive anything from home. The gratitude that they have may not translate into personally acknowledging you. That's okay. They may wait until they get home to write to you. That happens more than you can imagine.

5. Our military is made up of America's best. They also come from smalltown and big city America. What are we getting at? They come from every segment of society. Many of them have personal problems that you may or may not relate well to. Try to keep any messages positive and upbeat. Your goal should be to bring a smile to their face. Not add terrible news from home or drama they don't need. Please avoid politics as much as possible. Unless of course, you know the person really well.

6. If a group of friends are going to send care packages, we commend you for your efforts. One of the easiest and cheapest things to do is to stagger the care packages. If you have 4 people sending to one person, give one week to each person. So? It doesn't cost as much and the military person will feel the love from home with packages or mail.

7. If you are individually sending to 3 or 4 military personnel, stagger the care packages. Send one a week or every other week. Whatever works well for you and your budget.

8. Look around FR, The Canteen, or anywhere else online that you are comfortable at. They may have folks that need help sending care packages or may need donations to send one big package. Keep your ears and eyes open.

Finally, we apologize for the long thread. We feel this is important. In the comments section, you will find various ways to help out and organizations that you can contact. Thank you!

 


 


 



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KEYWORDS: supportourtroops
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To: beachn4fun

mine


201 posted on 07/29/2004 8:56:36 AM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: bentfeather
Howdy Ms. Feather. BTW, is that really you under that burka? LOL

202 posted on 07/29/2004 8:57:49 AM PDT by beachn4fun (NO.....I do not suffer fools gladly!)
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To: stand watie

Give duckie a hug for us!!


203 posted on 07/29/2004 8:58:12 AM PDT by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden, it's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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To: beachn4fun

Things are good. We are about to run out and do some errands!


204 posted on 07/29/2004 8:59:17 AM PDT by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden, it's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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To: bentfeather

Morning Ms. FEather!! :o)


205 posted on 07/29/2004 9:00:25 AM PDT by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden, it's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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To: USVet6792Retired

Hey Hey Morning to you!!


206 posted on 07/29/2004 9:01:30 AM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: beachn4fun

What Burka, beachn???

Has that Tomkow posted me in a Burka??


207 posted on 07/29/2004 9:03:05 AM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: bentfeather

No, this one. Just thought those big green eyes must belong to a lady! he...he....

208 posted on 07/29/2004 9:09:48 AM PDT by beachn4fun (NO.....I do not suffer fools gladly!)
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To: USVet6792Retired
Thanks, USVet, for passing the info on. So many folks want to help, but because of the stopping of the "Any Soldier" entree to finding a military member to support, they just don't know how or who to ask. Well....every positive message that our troops receive goes to counteracting the trash they get/hear from the alphabet "news", and I use the term loosely, media. Hope your computer holds up for the couple more days you need.

And thanks for your service to this great nation of ours.


209 posted on 07/29/2004 9:11:51 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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To: bentfeather

Godd Mornin back atcha!


210 posted on 07/29/2004 9:21:54 AM PDT by USVet6792Retired (Can I just shoot him? It's only a liberal!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

It's only got to last another 4 hrs and I will have all the data transferred and then this thing is a BOAT ANCHOR!!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo


211 posted on 07/29/2004 9:24:34 AM PDT by USVet6792Retired (Can I just shoot him? It's only a liberal!)
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To: USVet6792Retired

What are you Army types doing with Navy toys, namely a BOAT ANCHOR?


212 posted on 07/29/2004 9:26:19 AM PDT by tomkow6 (........Beach Party!........Beach Party!........Beach Party!........Beach Party!........Beach Party!)
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To: Valin; SouthernHawk
>>>Endangered, they're darn near extinct in Tennessee! And it all Bush's fault.<<<<<

Well, exactly. All the more reason there should be a constitutional amendment to take the whales out of that law, by-GOD. No Shooting whales from car windows in Tennessee!

213 posted on 07/29/2004 9:40:07 AM PDT by beachn4fun (NO.....I do not suffer fools gladly!)
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To: tomkow6

BOAT ANCHOR

214 posted on 07/29/2004 10:06:11 AM PDT by USVet6792Retired (Can I just shoot him? It's only a liberal!)
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To: USVet6792Retired

That's no anchor.....

 

 

This is !!!

LOL!

215 posted on 07/29/2004 10:15:43 AM PDT by tomkow6 (........Beach Party!........Beach Party!........Beach Party!........Beach Party!........Beach Party!)
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To: tomkow6; All

Tomkow that is very scary VERY WRONG VERY WRONG INDEED Jacko as protecter as children

BAD Burka man BAD

Well report off BBC wire reporting Iran is saying they going resume nuke tech in their plant but there another report off World Tribune

Israel may gearing up FINALLYYYY to lay smackdown on Iran

OH BOY

Also another report off Hareetz wire report that Israel intellgence think Lebanon with help of Hezollah try score cruise missile

And SO CAL News reporting scary item there a report that Muslum studnet from USC was busted overnight who had terror link to that Dallas Texas Muslum charity that John Aschort busted on other day

Report is that dude was plan blow up Dodger stadium and other sport events and his cousins was plan to take out Raiders fans at Oakland Colsiuem

NOT GOOD

Say something about Raiders fans they don't like that they kick these guy a***

Trust me I been to Raider game


216 posted on 07/29/2004 10:33:31 AM PDT by SevenofNine ("Not everybody , in it, for truth, justice, and the American way,"=Det Lennie Briscoe)
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To: All

Well report off Reuters wire new study out from French is reporting that French hosptial wont' be ready if there another heat wave but BBC wire reporting that most of French family would still dump Grandma into these hospital

I don't know about you guys I HATE THE FRENCH I don't know if I was living in France I ask my Grandma YO GRANNY you want go to Disneyland France LOL!

Also another report off Hareetz wire don't be suprise if you hear about more that French Jews come out of France because of rise of anti semtric crime

Reason why is that French don't want offend Muslum community by busted these miltants

SEE SEE THEY SURRENDER


217 posted on 07/29/2004 10:37:00 AM PDT by SevenofNine ("Not everybody , in it, for truth, justice, and the American way,"=Det Lennie Briscoe)
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To: StarCMC


A U.S. Army soldier looks at an overturned Bradley armored vehicle, which lost a track on Baghdad's airport highway and veered off the road July 29, 2004. The incident caused no injuries.

Experts are saying the Army's Inspector General Office are carrying impromptu roadside safety inspections a bit too far.

 

Pfc. Natasha Jones, an Army cook with the 3rd Infantry Division, mans her post during an ambush drill at Fort Stewart, Ga., Wednesday, July 28, 2004 during a training exercise to prepare for the upcoming deployment back to Iraq. The 3rd Infantry lead the way into Baghdad last year when the U.S. invaded. The 3rd Infantry, which led the assault on Baghdad last year, received deployment orders last week to be ready to leave for a second tour in Iraq between November and February. It will be the first Army division called back since the U.S.-led invasion last March.

Now that we see where the Army cooks get their ingredients from there is little question about why the "chicken surprise" often tastes so rubbery.

 

Iraqi Olympic Committee official Talib Mutan displays a steel chamber with interior spikes at Al-Shaab Stadium in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday. The device is said to have been used by Saddam Hussein's son, Uday, to torture Olympic athletes.

After the anniversary of the death of  Sadaam's two sons the former despot has announced through his attorneys that he is willing to engage in arena combat President Bush using the traditional armored garb of Iraqi tyrants. So far the International Olympic Committee has not sanctioned this unusual competition for the 2004 Games.

 

218 posted on 07/29/2004 10:42:20 AM PDT by Radix (The immortal words of J.F. Kerry. I voted for the War before I voted against it.)
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To: Radix; tomkow6

Howdy Radix. You sure Mojo wasn't taking that tank for a spin? You know how she drives.


219 posted on 07/29/2004 10:56:46 AM PDT by beachn4fun (NO.....I do not suffer fools gladly!)
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To: trussell

Well, I know you'll make the most of it. Enjoy putting your stamp on it.


220 posted on 07/29/2004 11:02:54 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)
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