Adopt a soldier for the holidays!

Citizen Outreach | 11/13/2005 | Chuck Muth

[mosquitobite]

ANY SOLDIER

As the Veterans Day weekend wraps up, a letter-to-the-editor published in today's Nevada Appeal tells about a wonderful program called "Any Soldier" in which all of us across the country can do something a little more substantive than slapping a "I Support Our Troops" bumper sticker on the backs of our cars.

http:\\www.anysoldier.com is a Website with a huge database of troop names and units where one may read their messages and choose whomever you would like to adopt," Jessi Winchester notes. "The contact person for each unit has agreed to accept mail and packages for distribution to those in their unit who get little or no mail. Adopting a unit is such a small thing to do and can bring such happiness - especially with the holidays just around the corner.

"Our brave military men and women can't run to the store for items needed to make their lives easier, but we can. They need medicated foot powder, baby wipes (to get the sand off their FACES!), lip balm, hand lotion, toothbrushes, moisturizing soap, body wash, shampoo, room deodorizers (they sleep several to a room in nasty temperatures), Crystal Lite powdered lemonade mix (to mix with their water) Little Debby snack cakes (nothing that will melt), protein or breakfast bars, trail mix, crackers, microwave popcorn, canned tuna (a frequent request), gum, black socks, phone cards, games of any kind, paperback books, magazines (sports, physical fitness, cars), rechargeable batteries (and charger), DVDs (most units try to have a movie night to help the troops forget where they are), post cards to decorate their walls (anything green - no sand!) and remind them of home - and the ultimate luxury ... pillows. Be sure to include your name and return address as many recipients will write back."

Although the website is known as "Any Soldier," once there you can choose to "adopt" a soldier, a Marine, an airman, a sailor or a Coast Guardsman.

Folks, let's make this Veterans Day weekend more than just a three-day holiday. And let's make "support" for our troops something more than a cheap slogan. Do what our family is doing today: Adopting a trooper and heading down to the local drug store to fill up a care package. Just go to www.anysoldier.com for additional information and a list of potential "adoptees."

And, pssssst. Spread the word.

Chuck Muth Citizen Outreach

[Anita1]

Here's the site: http://www.anysoldier.com/

[injin]

here's another great one :

http://adoptaplatoon.org/new/

[calypgin]

Perhaps the most important function served by supporting the troops is raising their morale. They are subject to the negative media and politicians, and often feel like nobody supports them or cares what they are doing. Even sending a simple letter of support helps them beyond words.

As for sending care packages, it is not an expensive proposition. The post office offers two different boxes which can be mailed for a flat rate, regardless of weight ($7.70). You can quite a bit in them. And the troops mostly request inexpensive items, such as toilet paper, ramen noodles, and Little Debbie Snacks, and Dollar Store items such as puzzle books, baby wipes, hand sanitizer and such. As some of the soldiers have said, it's not the content of the packages so much as the act of people who don't even know them taking the time and money to reach out to them.

This is one of the most worthy efforts I've run across. I've been supporting various units for some time now. And, yes, media bias is still "my thing", but, as I told one contact's wife, with whom I correspond, "I am personally determined to undermine the media and their agenda in as many ways as possible."

Cheers

[ForGod'sSake]

Well as I live and breathe!!!

It's been a very long time lady; trust all's well with you and yours???

Welcome Back!!!

ahem ;^)

[calypgin]

bttt for the troops

Well as I live and breathe!!!

Thanks for the welcome! Good to see you!

[be-baw]

Thanks for the ping, ol' pal, ol' buddy :) A worthier cause, I can hardly imagine.

Glad to see you finally remembered your password...

[ForGod'sSake]

Another bump for the cause.

[silverleaf]

adoptasoldierping

[Grenada]

Thanks for the info. Will do.

[not2worry]

My husband and I have supported a number of men and women through this program since its inception by Marty Horn.

It's a terrific experience and we have made many friends through the site. Be sure to mail your items early, usually it takes 10 days during non-holiday season and more when during the Christmas season.

We got more out of this program than we ever expected. If you are proud of our men and women protecting our freedom, you will come to understand the greatness of every individual, platoon, unit and battalion that calls themselves Soldiers, Marines and Airman.

DON'T FORGET OUR TROOPS....THEY NEED OUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS NOW MORE THAN EVER!

[kimosabe31]

bump

[SoDak]

Thanks for posting this. Every year for Christmas I try to find a deserving charity and give a little money. I can't think of anyone more deserving than those putting their lives on the line over there.

[SoDak]

Wow, I haven't seen you on a thread in quite some time. Probably not since the old days in the media bias chapter.

[penelopesire]

Thanks for the link.

[MRobert]

I would have loved to have some idea of what my soldier wanted or needed. I even sent a form after a few months that asked his clothing size, music tastes, food likes and dislikes,etc., so I could have some way of knowing what he would like. I think around that time Fox News ran a story saying soldiers didn't need personal items such as soap, toothpaste, etc., because those things were readily available so I didn't know if I should send those types of items.

As I said, it was a good experience for me, but I could have made it a better experience for him if I could have had a little feedback. He did make sergeant while in Iraq so I imagine he was a little busy.

[calypgin]

BTTT for the troops

[bray]

Thanks

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters

[dalebert]

Praying all the time for our guys and the President.

[Roses0508]

When my son was in AIT, someone did this for him at Thanksgiving. He was so grateful and so am I. Hated that he was gone during the holiday, was just so pleased (to the point of tears) that someone made sure he didn't sit in the barracks all day and gave him a good meal.

Please accept the thanks of a parent for all of you who do these things for the troops.

[annie laurie]

Thank you so much for posting this!

I just spent about 30 minutes on the site reading some of the comments from the troops, and I am so moved and eager to help.

I encourage everyone to at least read some of the comments on the site, even if you're not financially able to help at this time ... incredibly eye-opening and overwhelming to get a glimpse of the sacrifices these men and women are making.

I can't really express what I'm trying to say (very emotional after reading the site), but I do hope anyone who is able to help will do so.

Thanks again, mosquitobite.