Posted on 11/17/2004 10:15:51 PM PST by bellevuesbest
LOOKING for a cause with a difference? Adopt a sniper. A Texas police SWAT officer is running a charity for frontline snipers in Iraq and Afghanistan, supplying everything from baby wipes to body armour.
The brainchild of Port Arthur detective and police sniper Brian Sain, Adopt a Sniper (www.adoptasniper.org) has raised thousands of dollars in cash and gear to supplement the kit of sharp shooters in up to 75 US combat platoons.
"Being aware that police snipers often face the same logistical problems as their military counterparts, I assumed correctly that they were doing without things they needed to get their jobs done," Mr Sain said.
He contacted US military sniper schools and began sending supplies, tailored to the needs of each sniper, in January.
"People from every walk of life are helping. Once the word got out that a group of policemen was helping the military and inviting civilian assistance, it really took off," he said.
Some US soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan spend their own money to supplement equipment issued by the military.
"Snipers need gear that is different than the average airman, marine, sailor, or soldier," Mr Sain told Reuters via e-mail. "When the snipers desperately need mission specific gear ... we just try and fill that void."
From the frontlines, snipers are writing to say thanks.
"Your package arrived ... and was met with great fanfare," said a Marine platoon commander from Afghanistan.
"The mini binos (binoculars) will help lighten our load as we continue to spend most of the time chasing the Taliban between 7000-10,000 feet (2100-3050m)."
He went on to ask for supplies of protein bars, Gatorade and dry cleaning lubricants for guns.
Sergeant John, who has been in the army for four-and-a-half years, wrote from Mosul, Iraq's third largest city, where rebels took over some districts this week.
"I am always trying to improve my knowledge as a sniper and improve my lethality," he said. "I am proud to be a sniper when I see fellow snipers in the community are back home looking out for us snipers overseas fighting this horrible war on terrorism."
Some write of having to spend their own money buying gear, and of the lack of quality ammunition.
"I hate asking for stuff," said one anonymous soldier seeking small binoculars and spotting scopes, "but if you have the means, we can damn sure put them to good use.
"Miscellaneous gear and morale type stuff is of course always welcome. My platoon has 16 guys from all over. Some eat kimchi (Korean national dish), some chew Redman (tobacco).
"I can't tell you how much this means to all of us."
Adopt a Sniper fills a need for civilians who want to help soldiers in combat but don't know how to, Mr Sain said.
"Unfortunately, due to the enormity of the commitment in Iraq and Afghanistan, many American snipers are having to spend their own money and have their families try and procure gear and get it to them," Mr Sain said.
Supplies are sent directly to individual soldiers and Adopt a Sniper spends as much on shipping as it does on supplies.
"We have been sending everything from baby wipes to body armour and everything in between. Most of the items are sniper specific such as laser rangefinders ... wind metres, rifle scopes, weapons maintenance gear, you name it," Mr Sain said.
"www.adoptasniper.org has become a full time secondary job for us," he said.
Reuters
I love hearing about things like this!
Awesome!
I bet the DUmmies are fit to be tied about this.
Ping!
"Adopt A Sniper"
Love it!
LOL! Do we get to keep them when they get back in Country?
PING
FYI
Holy cow and WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTT!
Here! Now!
They'd better be screening the donors.
My last care package to Iraq included:
10 each 10 packs of hanes grey crew socks
2 cases of crystal light drink powder mix
24 pounds of beef jerky
6 fresh rolls of copenhagen
Dollar store plastic toothpicks
12 big bags of skittles
Lots wrigley juicyfruit chewing gum
2 cases of aloe medicated wet wipes
24 CD's I made with MP3 tunes
10 each 30 minute International calling cards
2 dozen dollar store fly swatters
24 Queen size cheap cotton bed sheets folded and sewn into a sleeping bag liner shape and then dyed OD.
I gave it to a C-17 crew chief I knew who was headed that way and he promised to get it there. I asked him to make sure it went to an Army or Marine Infantry unit as most of the rest of the troops including my beloved USAF Wing Nuts have it better than, but not as bad , as the grunts kicking in doors.......nothing like a fresh pair of socks . One thing that I loved when I took my turn in the barrel.
Stay safe !
Bless you for doing that, Squantos!
Hats off to you man. Thank you!
From the site:
"Q: How do I know that the snipers have received the items I sent?
A: The entire organization is based on a certain amount of trust. The snipers trust that we will not give up their identities. The people donating trust that we will actually spend their money on what we claim and that we will actually send the gear donations to the troops and not steal it or re-sale it. The snipers will usually send a quick email of thanks to Brian when they get access to a computer. We will try and post these to the site. However, their units, names, etc. will always be deleted. We will pass on a donation rather than give out the sniper's address."
Tonkin, have you seen this?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.