Posted on 12/05/2004 8:04:39 PM PST by TexKat
Caring civilians who send unsolicited packages to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan could misconstrue military commanders as Scrooges this holiday season.
The Department of Defense wants an immediate halt to those well-meaning collection drives and the resulting shipments of donated goods to overseas bases. The plea is supported by two state military commanders who asked that gestures of generosity be made closer to home by supporting the families of soldiers abroad.
Though packages from family members are still welcome, security concerns and distribution problems throughout the war zones make unsolicited items potential liabilities to military commanders who are busy fighting a war and have little time to check on the safety of unsolicited donations, military officials say.
Goods, gifts and well-wishes that land in Iraq or Afghanistan without direct receiving addresses stand little or no chance of getting to their intended destination - American military units.
Pallets of collected items from unknown sources have baked in the intense Iraqi heat, causing glass and plastic containers to burst before they are eventually buried, said Eugene Gosline, an Oak Creek resident and former reservist who remains active in veterans affairs.
Gosline was active in past collection drives but has now stopped those activities at the request of the military.
Some items not needed
Some of the collected items aren't even needed.
Lt. Col. Timothy Donovan, spokesman for the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard command in Madison, said an example of wasted donations involves lip balm .
"We ended up burying it," he said. "The troops have plenty of ChapStick available to them, but so many people sent ChapStick to a battalion that nobody ever opened the boxes.
"We tried to give it away to other units and residents."
An avalanche of donations also threatens to clog limited delivery systems, said Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke, a Defense Department spokeswoman.
"There's only so much postal capacity," Donovan said. "The care packages may be well-intentioned, but it competes for the same space that gets a letter from a little girl to her dad."
Lt. Col. Leo Beasley, executive wing officer with the 128th Air National Guard at Mitchell International Airport, said that everyone in uniform appreciates the generosity of civilians.
"But it's not worth taking the chance," Beasley said. "Homemade foods get wet and then bake in the sun. And, who knows if the toothpaste or other things that are sent over have been tampered with? We're fighting a different kind a war, a war on terrorism. Somebody has to take responsibility on the other end of the delivery, and officers don't want that risk."
Donovan also asked if it's worth putting soldiers at risk to pick up and distribute the items.
An inability to guarantee the security of the items is one reason the military is calling for a stop to the donation programs, Krenke said.
"I'd rather have cookies baked by mom arrive to the troops, instead of from someone who is not known," Krenke said. "There are other ways to support the troops besides sending care packages.
"Instead of sending troops care packages directly, take care of their families. The best way would be to find out if there's any needs for the loved ones of troops, not only through the holidays but as long as we have troops fighting."
Not aimed at relatives
The military directive is not meant to discourage relatives, friends and organizations who are in direct contact with military personnel and their units from sending care packages, Krenke said.
It's an appeal to the general public, she said.
"During this time of year, the number of donation programs increases and causes mail from families and friends to be mixed with mail from unknown sources, resulting in delivery delays," a Defense Department directive says. "Service members should receive mail only from those friends and family members to whom they personally give their addresses."
By stopping the collection drives, organizers would no longer need to worry about expensive shipping costs that average about $1 a pound.
Donovan said he still gets a dozen or more calls a day from well-meaning people who gather items for the troops without plans to get the items overseas.
The military cannot use its transports to ship the items or reveal mailing addresses of troops to receive gifts, he said.
The following Web site suggests ways to support the troops: www.defendamerica.mil
Thank you for posting this. I'm not sure how they can resolve the issue of the "Any Servicemember" program being shutdown. There are many Americans that would like to help, but are either uncomfortable helping through known organizations or they just don't know about them.
In my area, there are many families that are in need of a holiday meal. Right now, we have about 45 families we are looking to feed this time around. (I am only accounting for those we helped to feed during Thanksgiving.)
We did make a deal with one of the grocery stores, but I know there are more out there.
"The plea is supported by two state military commanders who asked that gestures of generosity be made closer to home by supporting the families of soldiers abroad."
I agree 100%. Nothing would make a soldier happier than to hear his/her family is being taken care of.
No more unsolicited packages to Iraq, military requests ping.
This is why I've been hesitating with another of the freeper "adopt a soldier" campaigns. From what I understand (which is sketchy at best) it's TOO LATE to give anything for Christmas, and due to security concerns, they've stopped taking things sent directly anyhow. Someone please let me know if it is otherwise.
BTTT
""The care packages may be well-intentioned, but it competes for the same space that gets a letter from a little girl to her dad.""
'nough said.
There are soldiers and marines in other areas that would also love to get a package. I'm going to send a Christmas card to any trainee at Fort Sam Houston Texas where my husband was an instructor years ago.
Make it some really cool Ray Ban wrap around sunglasses and a box of good cigars.
When looking for freepers to ping, I did run across a post by freeper Feckless, who posted:
It's even easier to go to uso.org. They have a care package program for $25 a pop. The wife and I sent 10 in lieu of Christmas gifts to each other this year.
If the USO is still doing this perhaps this may be an alternative.
Every year I make contributions to various charity organizations and since I am self-employed, I can deduct these from my taxes. ( I usually cry a lot because I know that will cut into the money for the many illegal aliens who count on my taxes for all their needs.)
Do any of you know of charitable contribution groups ( tax deductible or not ) that serve the military or especially those veterans who have been wounded and need help for themselves and their families?
Bump :D
What would I ever do without your guidance?
Click Tonk's links in Post #7 for a laundry list of organizations that can help.
The Fisher House is providing help for wounded service personnel and their families.
Hope that helps you in your search...
You would probably be lost. But thats OK, I will always be here for you.
Thanks for your help! I never knew what that was. Will explore this.
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