Spirit of America - Supporting US Marines and Iraq

email, www.spiritofamerica.net ^ | 11/10/04 | Jim Hake

[surfatsixty]

Subject: Supporting US Marines and Iraq From: "Jim Hake, Spirit of America" Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 01:39:30 +0000 To:

Dear Donors and Friends,

Today is the 229th birthday of the U.S. Marines - so to all you Marines on this message I'll take this opportunity to say Happy Birthday. Every interaction I've had with you has made me proud to know you.

For the last year we have been supporting the Marines and, with your generous support, meeting their requests for items ranging from school supplies to sewing machines to television station equipment. All these goods benefit the Iraqi people and support the Marines' mission in Iraq. That mission is security, freedom and peace for Iraq.

The last few days the Marines have been fighting the terrorists holed up in Fallujah. Coincidentally, we spent the last few days meeting with Iraqis involved in the Friends of Democracy project. They talked about Fallujah. We were told about how the terrorists there were requiring parents of girls as young as 10 to give them up as wives to the terrorists. Every one of the Iraqis we met with, and all the other Iraqis I have met with in the last 2 months, supports the fight for Fallujah and hopes the US and Iraqi forces are successful. That's what I've been told without exception. None of these people is connected with, or is receiving money from, the US government. The vast majority of Iraqis, like people everywhere, simply want a good life. You can imagine if people in your town were exploding car bombs and cutting off people's heads. You would want someone to take care of it as fast as possible.

A few weeks ago we received a request from the Marines in Ramadi and Fallujah for items to build relationships with Iraqi children and improve relations with their parents. The full message is at the bottom of this one. With that email we are kicking off two new projects - Operation Snapshot and Gifts for Iraqi Children. Both of these efforts will be especially important in making life a little better for Iraqi kids after the battle in Fallujah.

Operation Snapshot

The Marines are looking for Polaroid cameras and film. LtCol Jeff Vold wrote, "Many teams report that they have been able to open many doors and break down many barriers with something as simple as a Polaroid picture." When I was in Ramadi and Fallujah in June I found the same thing. Kids and adults all loved their picture - even seeing it on a digital camera helped establish a bond. Unfortunately, we didn't have instant photos. But now we're planning on sending this gear to Iraq. We've negotiated a good price for film and cameras with Polaroid, far below retail. For the first phase of this we are seeking $5,756 for 50 Polaroid cameras and 725 packs of film (sufficient for 7,250 pictures). We will expand our support from there. You may contribute to this project at:

http://www.spiritofamerica.net/cgi-bin/soa/project.pl?rm=view_project&request_id=77

Gifts for Iraqi Children

With this project we are seeking donations for items requested by the Marines for Iraqi children. This is based on the success of the support we provided in providing soccer balls, Frisbees, school supplies and toys earlier this year. If possible we will expand this to support similar requests from those serving in other parts of Iraq.

http://www.spiritofamerica.net/cgi-bin/soa/project.pl?rm=view_project&request_id=18

We are considering doing some toy drives in December for this project. If you'd like to volunteer and do something in your hometown please reply to this message. Here is a photo from the Marines earlier this year when they were giving Frisbees we provided to Iraqi children.

Welcome the Marines Home - "Rockin' the Corps 2004"

Lastly, a nonprofit organization headed by Joe Robert is putting together a great welcome home party at Camp Pendleton for those Marines recently returned from Iraq. Please consider helping out with the costs of putting on the party with a contribution at:

http://www.supportthecorps.org/homepage.htm

We'll be getting more information to you next week about the December Spirit of America events I mentioned in my last email. Between Dec. 2 and 12 we'll be in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York and Boston.

All the best,

Jim Hake and the Spirit of America team

===

MESSAGE FROM LTCOL VOLD

-----Original Message-----

From: Vold LtCol Jeffery D

Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 8:14 AM

To: Jim Hake

Cc: Kerry Dupont; Crawford Maj Erik M; Bunn LtCol David

Subject: Developing Bonds with Iraqi Children

Jim,

First, I want to thank you for all of the great things Spirit of America has done for the 1st Marine Division here in Iraq. The sewing machines, tool sets for ICAP students, Frisbees, medical supplies, and the untold number of other items you have provided have definitely made a positive impact on our mission here.

As you well know, the current security situation dictates that we continue to man numerous traffic control points, conduct cordon and searches of suspected areas of anti Iraqi activity, and perform foot patrols in local neighborhoods. Unfortunately in doing so, many times we inconvenience innocent Iraqi families or groups who are just trying to go about their business. Many of these families or groups have small children with them, and whenever possible we try to brighten their day with a smile and some small token of friendship. As of late, however, we notice that we are starting to run short on some of the items that work the best in reducing the tension and anxiety that are caused by delays and searches.

As part of a stepped up Campaign to "win the parents through winning the children" General Natonski has asked that we rebuild and distribute a stockpile of items to give to children when we see them on patrols or inconvenience them and their families during other security activities.

As always, time is of the essence, and our ability to obtain such items in this locale is difficult at best. Thus, we would like to ask for Spirit of America's help in obtaining some of these things.

I polled the Marines who are on the ground every day and came up with a list of things that they say brightens up children more than others, and in the end, puts the parents in a more positive frame of mind. Here it is:

* Children's Sunglasses

* Notebooks and colored pens and pencils.

* Inexpensive child's watches with a message of friendship on the face or band.

* Frisbees - with or without a message.

* Soccer balls - still a hit, especially when an air pump is provided with it.

Strangely enough, another item that helps develop bonds is Polaroid Cameras. The children love to have their picture taken and to receive a copy on the spot. Many teams report that they have been able to open many doors and break down many barriers with something as simple as a Polaroid picture.

Again, unfortunately such cameras are in short supply and difficult to obtain on the local market. However, in the end 200-300 Polaroid cameras with plenty of film spread across the Division zone may go farther in establishing enduring relations than a thousand soccer balls!

Jim, again we thank you so much for your support. With Iraqi elections coming up it is more important than ever to reduce tension, cement bonds with the good Iraqi people, and provide them and their children a message of hope for a better future.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Semper Fi,

Jeff

Jeffrey D. Vold Lieutenant Colonel United States Marine Corps Deputy G-X 1st Marine Division

[surfatsixty]

Jim Hake and Spirit of America are an outstanding organization that synchronize with the Marine Corps in doing projects in Iraq. The Wall Street Journal's Daniel Henninger has twice written columns describing Jim's efforts, and both times the donations poured in. If you feel so inclined, look him up.

[injin]

1-2-3-4 !
Happy Birthday Marine Corps!

Semper Fi

[No Dhimmi]

I just discovered the Spirit of America website -- they are a fantastic group!

The great thing is that you can choose which project you want to donate to.

I donated to the Iraqi Democracy Fund. It's a great way for all of us to participate a little bit.

We need to spread the word to all Freepers on this one.

Also, Freepers can support widows of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedon at: http://www.oeffamilyfund.org/