Posted on 11/14/2005 7:37:37 AM PST by 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
Thank you for the website... please post it again and again (if the mods agree, of course).
And remember, there is plenty of time to write out a Christmas card or two conveying your support. Many of the service members ask for nothing more than letters of support, so for the price of a card and 37 cents postage, you can lift alot of spirits (many of them posts cards and letters in central locations for all to read).
bttt
This is a great program. I sent a package a while back--I need to do it again.
Thank you for the reminder.
That's an excellent point. I did notice that several of the posts talked about how much they loved receiving cards and letters.
Also, at least one of the units was saying that they could never get enough stationery and greeting cards to write to family and friends back home; apparently those items are difficult to get on base.
What would you suggest to send for Christmas to a married pilot headed for Iraq?
If you're not sure what to send, I noticed that they actually have some pre-made kits filled with things commonly needed or requested by the troops. They have several different types and price ranges:
The pillow at the bottom is really neat, too.
Thanks!
Here are some photos starting on page 8.
Thanks for the ping. Great pics of the rally!
Thanks for the ping! Great photos! :)
Thanks for the bump.
We'll be there again next week.
We sent four packages tonight. They will get there before Christmas. I'd rather do this than buy gifts none of us here really need.
Don't feel bad. The thought was there and is what matters. We were traveling through Atlanta airport last Christmas and ran into the same thing. My hubby and I were not sure how to approach the group. So, I sent our lids over with a camera to get there picture taken with "The Guys." It was the perfect ice-breaker. We bought them beers and paid for their dinners. Our kids even got to write to a few of them later. Those young men were just so happy to be home. Next time, send in the kiddos.
That was, we sent in our KIDS not our lids...LOL
This musta been what you were telling me about this afternoon! BTW...I read some of your posts and you are TOO MUCH...who gave YOU all the wit, anyhow! Terrific posts! Lotsa fun reading them...
Yes...I will adopt a soldier if it's not too late!
GREAT rally today...how was your Chinese? Never been there...hope the wethah holds for next weeks' rally...today was like old times, we needed this for the troops...ya could tell by the toots that JohnQ needed it, too!
Winterchild... from wildwood of Maine
Our family has re-allocated our Christmas gift budgets to "anysoldiers", since none of us *need* a darned thing. We will have the traditional holiday dinner, sans the gift exchange, and the money we would have spent on stuff nobody really wants or needs will go into the *kitty* for soldiers' stuff. After dinner, we are going to go look at the elaborate Christmas light displays in our area, instead.
bttt
bump
I agree. Even if you can't buy them something, just say "thank you". I've never met one who didn't appreciate it.
A couple of months ago, I was at the gas station when a guy in unform pulled up at the pump next to me. I asked him if he was active duty. When he said yes, I reached for my credit card, and slipped it in and out of the slot before he could pay at the pump. When he thanked me, I said "It's the least I can do, for everything you do for us"
The whole point if this post is that there are so many ways that we can say thank you to people in uniform in whatever circumstance we run into them. But if you can't think of anything, just say "thank you", they'll know what you mean.
self-ping for when off work
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