CHRISTMAS CARDS and LETTERS for our TROOPS in IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN (send one here)

self | 11-05-04 | patriciaruth

[patriciaruth]

We have APO's for five units in Iraq and two units in Afghanistan, which means several thousand soldiers to whom we would like to send Christmas cards and letters and Hannukah cards and any other kind of holiday card you think a soldier there would like.

Our troop supporters and patriots ping lists number about 200 FReepers, so we are asking all who can to respond with one or more card or letter and also to ask your friends and neighbors and other FReepers to send a card or letter.

I have around 200 sheets of holiday paper decorated variously with wreaths, Christmas trees, and holly which I will use to print out any letters/notes you FReepmail me, and will be happy to buy more.

Those who want to send a personal hand written or signed letter or card, FReepmail me for my address.

Every card and letter to a soldier in harm's way will be accompanied by a candy cane.

If you aren't willing to sign your card or letter/note with your address or email, please put your hometown and state, so the soldiers see that these holiday wishes come from all across America.

Your cards and letters have to be in my hands by the end of November to make the last shipment out, the first week of December. Please everyone, do this as soon as possible so I'm not swamped at the end.

For information on how to donate for the candy canes, please FReepmail me.

[Severa]

So good I repeated myself oops *s*

[SandRat]

Thanks for reminding me Tonk, I'll need to get with the PAO on post about the "A Holiday Home" program and see where we're at in kicking kicking this year's rendition off.

"A Holiday Home" is a local program where the community and post match up single service members living in the barracks with participating families in the community so the service member has "A Holiday Home" away from home.

[AuntB]

Thank you so much, patriciaruth, for going the extra mile and doing this. I'll get something on the way.

[Abigail Adams]

Christmas greetings will be on their way soon!

Reindeer bump for the troops!

[patriciaruth]

Thanks, Tunehead54, for the update:

Mailed to battalion near Baghdad by Tunehead54 on October 23, 2004:

Proscan VCR, Remote, Cabling (red, white, yellow), new batteries + extra, Manual

10 movies:
1. The Sound of Music
2. Mary Poppins
3. The Lion King
4. Titanic
5. Forrest Gump
6. The Santa Clause
7. Air Force One
8. Ransom
9. Batman & Robin
10. As Good As It Gets

Because they are very busy right now due to the assault on Fallujah, we won't check if these arrived for a couple weeks.

[patriciaruth]

PRAISE update for all, email from FT. BRAGG:

Hi Patty,

Just a quick note to let you know we are back on US soil!! We got in about 2am today to Pope AFB and we'll be here at Ft. Bragg for about 10-12 days to de-mobilize.

Thanks again for all your love, support and prayers.

Love,

L***, for the 320th TPC

[We have the APO for the follow-on unit that took their place at Bagram]

[daybreakcoming]

HOORAY - they are home - God bless them.

I will not wonder where the tree is, I will not, I will not. :o)

I assume the new APO is the same one you sent recently.

[Pastnowfuturealpha]

Hello -

Sorry to bother you but I was working on my letter then realized I wasn't sure if there were any taboo subjects -

Would you give me a general idea of what is okay - and what may not be okay - Also should the information only be about Christmas acitivities -


Thanks -

[Calusa]

Ping.

[patriciaruth]

Taboo:

Your mission sucks.

Your commander in chief sucks.

The military sucks, and you're a baby-killer.

Any other subjects you're concerned about?

[patriciaruth]

Yep, the new one you sent the decorations for Bagram to for the follow-on unit there now.

I've got to dig that out. Maybe it would be easier if you could FReepmail it to ME.

[Coop]

Awesome work!

[patriciaruth]

Wonder no longer about your Christmas tree!

"Yes! I forgot to tell you that it arrived on our last day. I had told the new crew that it would be coming and they were so surprised when it arrived. They were very happy and they appreciate you guys helping them to create a holiday atmosphere."

L****

[patriciaruth]

For those who may be having trouble getting started on writing a letter, here are some subject suggestions:

Thank them for making it possible for you and your family to go about their holiday peacefully. Tell them what you are doing.

Tell them why you believe in their mission, and appreciate what they are doing.

Tell them you pray for them and their families and their buddies and wish them safety and joy this holiday season.

Tell them what is going on in local news--a local sports event, a funny occurence in the news, whether you worked in the election just passed.

Talk with them about your faith and why it gives you peace and hope.

Offer to send them or their family something they'd like if they email or write you. Give them a price limit or make suggestions to give them an idea of your price limit.

These are just suggestions.

Use any, all or none of them. They are just to help get you started.

[Pastnowfuturealpha]

Thank you for the suggestions -

Will continue to work on a letter and get it finished in time to send -


Thanks again -

[daybreakcoming]

YEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!
Thank you....not that I was worried or anything. :o) I've been the recipient of Murphy's Law too often. I'm not worried about the tree decors & stuff getting there

[patriciaruth]

ping.

[patriciaruth]

ping.

[WestCoastGal]

Can we send you more than one?

FReepmailing one over shortly. (checking to see if HTML works in FReepmail first)

Thanks, what a wonderful job you are doing!!

[WestCoastGal]

Oops HTML doesn't work in FReepmail.

Can we post them here for you to copy and print?