Posted on 09/25/2004 5:41:24 PM PDT by McLynnan
Although I rarely post (no time!), I email frequently with our contact in Kirkuk and try to stay in touch with PatriciaRuth. "C" in Kirkuk and I have been discussing the upcoming holidays, and what a tough time of year it is for our troops who are so far from home. I told him while there was nothing I could do to bridge the miles between them and their families, maybe I could provide things that would help give the desert that nice Christmas-y feeling. He gave me a very modest list, but it’s more than I can handle on my own. HELP!!! After talking with Patty, she generously loaned me her ping list so I could see if anybody is interested in contributing. Since she’s on overload with her other troop work, I offered to start this thread and try to get things organized.
Would any of you like to get involved? I know our Kirkuk troops would appreciate anything we can do. Here’s what C has asked for:
“We could use two trees with the ornaments and lights, wall decorations and more lights for around the rooms, stockings for 82 personnel and some gift wrap. Music CD's would be good, candy canes, Christmas cards and if possible a Santa suit.
I think that would be good. We are good on calling cards as I have stock-piled enough for all that need it.
Please include a list of contributors in an email to me so that I can honor them properly. Thanks for all your support!! I know that the men and women we have serving over here will greatly appreciate this generous on-taking”.
The Christmas cards need to be sent soon so they have time to address and send them back home. Ditto for the gift wrap. Would any of you with sewing skills be willing to stitch up some stockings?
Sounds like fun. I have a good friend, former neighbor, who is Jewish that might be able to round up the goodies. I'll ask our contacts if there are any Jewish soldiers or "chaplains" with them who want to observe.
I can send some boxes of cards, cd's, maybe some decorations. By when and to where?
good morning bump.
bump...how the days rush forward...just about time to start making sure
US service-person gets something for the holidays while they are
serving "out there" (AFAIK approx. 160 countries that in which we have
personnel posted)
Can help with anything. Let me know what you need.
Yes, yes, yes, you can definitely help. We still need a Santa suit, and I think they could use more cards and giftwrap, candy canes, and lights. Thanks for the offer. You can FReepmail me for shipping details when you're ready.
"I know that myself and the commander are getting excited about holding a Christmas celebration for the troops. We take this season very seriously due to the statistics on depression and suicide. We appreciate all that you and you peers are doing for us to make this as good as it could be considering our circumstances. Thanks, C"
You have FReepmail!
What a wonderful note...sniff, sniff. I hate to think of our young people away from home and depressed during the holidays.
It's a heart breaker.
It also bothers me to think of them so far away during the holidays. They deserve anything we can do for them. Again, thank you so much for taking this on. As you can see, they really appreciate it.
Companies like that will ship to APO addresses? That's good to know, if true.
Just an idea for those who have adopted a soldier.
We have adopted a soldier and plan on sending him in the near future, a small three foot artifical tree with lights and a c.d. with Christmas music...and of course, the gifts.
What is awesome is, the tree will be obviously shared with everyone in his barracks!!! I can't wait to do this.
I'll buy the trees and the lights. Tell me how you want to handle it.
I know another FReeper did this with WalMart.com. I haven't tried it personally, but if it works, it seems like the way to go.
Smiling, I knew you would want to be involved in this, John. Thanks bro!
I am getting family involved Mclynnan :-)
Check your FReepmail.
I did, my mailbox is empty.
You are too fast for me, lol! Check again.
So you're brother and sister? That's great. My mother is a FR "lurker" and I'm hoping to get her involved in this too.
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