Posted on 09/21/2004 12:32:47 PM PDT by valleygal
Welcome to Operation: Take a Soldier to the Movies
Operation: Take a Soldier to the Movies is a national grassroots program to support our troops in Iraq by “taking a soldier to the movies” for Thanksgiving. Caring families, friends or members of the public can contribute movie-related items that will be forwarded to soldiers serving in Iraq.
Let it be your way of saying “thank you” to those serving our country.
Background: Bernie and Kathy Hintzke of West Allis, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee) have a 22-year old son, Adam, serving in the U.S. Army near Tikrit, Iraq. Conditions are hot, dirty and miserable. Understandably, Adam and his comrades can easily become bored and depressed, longing for home.
While many Americans appreciate the sacrifice our young men and women serving in the military make to protect and insure freedom, we little understand the intolerably harsh conditions our military endure day after day in the desert.
Operation: Take a Soldier to the Movies is a small but novel way of bringing Saturday night out in America to our soldiers on duty, providing them some home style entertainment experience.
Soldiers will receive an Operation: Take a Soldier to the Movies package, featuring:
· New or used DVD movie · Two packets of microwave popcorn · Two packets of presweetened drink mix · Assortment of movie theater-style candy · Photograph and letters from the person or family contributing the contents
…all inside a genuine popcorn box
We need your help, either by contributing any or all of the above items in any quantity, or through cash contributions (see below).
Forward items to either of the Family Readiness Group (FRG) leader addresses here:
MAILING ADDRESS
Operation: Take a Soldier to the Movies Pam Lindenmeyer c/o 601st ASB CMR 454 BOX 2326 APO, AE 09250
DROP-OFF ADDRESS
Operation: Take a Soldier to the Movies c/o Hintzke & Associates, Inc. 10617 W Oklahoma Ave U1 West Allis, WI
According to the Army, an FRG is “a company-level or battalion-level organization of officers, enlisted soldiers, civilians, and family members who volunteer to provide mutual social and emotional support, outreach services, and information to their fellow soldiers and family members.”
To defray the cost of sending the movie experience ingredients to the FRG in Germany for final assembly, the Hintzkes also welcome cash donations. Checks may be made payable to the “601st ASB Project” and sent to Bob Bralich, St. Francis Bank, 10725 W National Ave., West Allis, WI 53227.
Click On This Link To Use MasterCard or Visa to Donate Through PayPal. It's convenient, easy and safe!
Join Operation: Take a Soldier to the Movies Today!
It was cool. War of the Worlds as far as the lasers go. I LOVED the floating air platforms. Totally cool.
I think there are nonprofits that get donated second-hand movies, like libraries. Also know overstock.com had 'support our troops' signage up for awhile, and they have steeply discounted DVDs as well. Maybe they'd participate.
Send Cary Grant oldies. They still do the job they were designed for..to get your mind off things...
Uhhh, only if you send it to them. I don't think the rest of us plan to.
Something I am doing for my soldier that I think is a pretty good idea. Adopt a soldier, send them a three foot plastic tree, lights and a present so they can celebrate Christmas too. I was also thinking of sending Christmas music for the full effect.
If all you want for Thanksgiving is a turkey and to be left alone, have at it.
And if you came to this thread just to complain go somewhere else.
Thanks for letting me know how long it takes. I guess the best thing to do is send it now. :)
I haven't seen "When We Were Soldiers" but my husband has and he said it was good. I saw some of "To Hell and Back" several months ago on AMC or TCM. Good movie.
A Mel Gibson remake sounds pretty good to me, too.
Thanks, ST for the link. I'll check it out.
I agree. The kind of movie that will get their mind off things would be the best.
I think the music is a great idea. I sent my soldier a link to the FR Canteen and they really enjoyed it.
I love the idea. :^)
"We were Soldiers"
"The Passion of the Christ"
....and of course John Wayne movies...
Excellent choices!
Take a soldier to the movies? Why? What's so great about seeing a movie -- especially on Thanksgiving? How about "Buy a Soldier A Turkey and Then Leave Him The Hell Alone" Day?
This was my friend's reply to this post in an e-mail she sent back to me today:
"Let me tell you, a movie here is golden."
They have movie nights in the office there and , "it's a big deal when it's your turn to pick out the flick. It takes minds off things, builds camaraderie and believe it or not helps with emotions. Just FYI".
Why, I bet I would even stand in line to see one if I were stuck in a sand pit for months on end.
If you wouldn't mind...
Would you please, expand upon your comments? The more I reread your post, the more it angers me, and frankly, I can't pinpoint why. A part of me almost wants to cry, but because you are new here, I just want to give you the floor before I put my foot in my mouth.
Maybe some esteemed FReepers could gather round for this, and help me up in case I fall?
I just can't understand where you are coming from...
Thanks, Diva. I wrote to my friend and asked what kind of movies they would like to see and I will pass that on. I think my sister told me they like alot of the old TV shows believe it or not (she mentioned "Green Acres and a few others LOL!).
I couldn't have said it better, gmo. I was somewhat at a loss myself so I just told him to go complain elsewhere.
There are just some people that live to complain and rain on others parades. Me thinks this in one. Not worth the effort beyond, "Go somewhere else. No one forced you to click on this thread".
Man. Some people! I see he didn't reply either. Sheesh.
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