I think you are right - even if it is a drop in the bucket, "If it saves just one life" (using the liberal mantra in a good sense).
I received the same email from Mike, so I suggest a two-prong approach: 1) On our level, we scrounge up however many lamps we can and send them over on our own; 2) Badger, hector, write an email a week to our Representatives and Senators about this lack. I'll even settle for some Bush/Rumsfield-hater in Congress standing up and whining "it's all Bush's fault!" if it gets the DOD moving.
I agree. I received 2 more mails from Mike. Here they are.
Hey, Hanna!
Yep, the 1/6 FA Battalion is pulling out in a few days. Going back to Germany. Ghost is actually a platoon in the Battalion. They sure won't need lights for a while; they are going on leave! (And seem very happy with that.)
Yes, I will soon pull out of Baquba and head back Khanaqin way. Will be nice to see the mountains and the river of oil and the Kurds...get away from all these crazy suicide bombers for a while.
I agree with you that even a few lights are better than none. Is there a way where somebody can send a "in care of any soldier package?"... wait a minute...i know just who to ask. this will take a few hours but will find out.
Talk with you later,
Mike
and #2:
Hanna,
I've got an answer to the question about distribution of lights. I spoke with 1SG Leonard Dulik who runs the mail service for this AO. 1SG Dulik told me about the "Any Soldier Program," and mentioned that you can find information about this program online.
1SG Dulik also said that you can mail lights to his postal facility in Iraq and they will distribute the lights. The packages should be addressed:
Any Soldier Program
c/o 1SG Leonard Dulik
877 AG Company
OIF3 FOB Speicher
APO AE 09393
1SG Dulik said that you are welcome to email him at:
leonard.dulik@us.army.mil
And a personal thank you to you three especially for pushing the headlamps idea and for finding a distributor to buy from!
None of this would have happened without your jumping on it.
97 headlamps have gone to Iraq because of your lining this up and all those who heeded your call and donated.