Posted on 11/26/2005 6:14:00 AM PST by MNJohnnie
ANNAPOLIS — When their son was deployed to Iraq two years ago, Martin "Marty" Horn and his wife, Suzanne, started sending him packages from their home in La Plata. They soon found he was sharing them with soldiers in his unit who were not receiving mail, so the Horns started sending packages to these soldiers as well.
Today that simple gesture has become a Web site, AnySoldier.com, that helps packages and letters reach almost half the soldiers deployed in Iraq, or about 95,000 troops, according to the Web site.
"It's about increasing the morale of troops. It's about support, not just stuff," Marty Horn said. "The most requested thing is letters. We're not trying to re-supply the Army with what they don't have; it's not our mission."
The La Plata-based site helps soldiers who do not receive much mail get support from people who want to send packages to troops overseas but need help getting in contact.
Because of military restrictions, packages can not be sent to "Any Soldier." Through the site, soldiers can sign up to be a contact - which means the packages are addressed to them with "Attn: Any Soldier" in the address and they in turn distribute them to other members of the unit.
The contact soldiers act as intermediaries, not only distributing the packages but also posting messages on the site asking for needed supplies like socks, baby wipes, t-shirts and some of the comforts of home such as movies, magazines and snack food.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
What great folks
Thank for the help!!!
"It's about increasing the morale of troops. It's about support, not just stuff," Marty Horn said. "The most requested thing is letters. We're not trying to re-supply the Army with what they don't have; it's not our mission."
BTTT!!!!!
I saw this on an earlier posting on FR so my adult kids and I decided instead of buying each other gifts for Christmas we would send something to the troops. It just so happens we are sending several pounds of premium coffee today. One group wanted golf balls so my brother and his golf buddies are going to send golf balls.
We thought this is the very least we can do since they are putting their lives on the line for us. It was sort of sad to hear that some of the troops don't get mail. That's got to be tough. Thanks to the Freeper who posted this website.
I've sent a couple of packages via
http://treatanysoldier.com
YOUR TURN!!! :-)
BFR.
True. On a more local and personal note, we've teamed up (email is great) with wives and parents of depolyed soldiers in our son's unit and are able to send an amazing amount of things that they need, some they don't but all is appreciated. There are always soldiers who don't get anything--and it's always been that way.
I would encourge folks (if you are not donating through www.anysoldier.com, etc., to contact someone you know in a unit and something can be organized, it works, try it! A lot of the needs are simple, easy to find but it's not available over there, especially to units in FOBs (Forward Operating Bases). Field Medics would be a good target for this also, they usually operate alone once they are assigned to some unit, find a Medic and Adopt-a-Medic. This is what we are presently doing. Anyone know more details on the 690th Medical Company? If you do, please send me info via "personal reply" because I don't access FR every day, not able to. Thanks!
Thanks for the ping!
Big huge bump!!! AWESOME!!! Thanks for posting MNJohnnie!!
Canteen Ping
BTTT
This is a great site. How did you come to find them? Thanks!
RESOUNDING BTTT!!
Found the following message from that site. I am in awe of such men and women and grateful for their service. They know why they're there and we must not forget.
From the Marine:
25 Nov 2005:
MESSAGE FROM THE SANDS
May God bless those in harms way And may he enlighten those objectors Who never sacrificed their own personal time or comforts For the freedoms they enjoy the most
Unknown
What is war? Does anyone know or care anymore? What happened to the patriotism that so many had back in 9/11? When stores sold out of flags and memorabilia, and when shipments were back dated to meet supply and demand. Have we forgotten why we’re over here? What about the friends and family members we all have lost?
Many of us have held our fellow brothers in arms while they breathed their last, the sound of their cries echoing through our minds in a never ending nightmare. Comrades we had never met before, but through the fate of war, brought us close. These are the horrors of war. These are the terrors that we live with.
Times are hard. Mothers have lost sons and daughters. Children have lost parents. Sisters have lost brothers, brothers have lost sisters, and the plaguing question on top of everyone’s mind is, “Will it ever end?” That is a question not soon to be answered.
Many Marines go into battle, not with thoughts of losing our lives, but thoughts of fighting for our country, fighting for the freedoms that so many take for granted, hoping, that in some small way, we can be valiant and steadfast, following in the footsteps of our forefathers. Leathernecks, as a whole, can think of nothing better than to die SERVING our land in its time of need.
I find it heartbreaking that the true reasons we are over here have been lost. 9/11 has come and gone in many minds. What’s worse is the reality that the news has corrupted our good name and the amazing efforts we ALL have accomplished in the last three years of Iraq. So many people think that this war doesn’t concern them, but it does.
Every day our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Baghdad, and elsewhere are fighting, not just to liberate despairing countries, but to also take the fight to the terrorists. It is true, our objective is to spread freedom, but it is not solely motivated by concepts of an oppression free Middle East (we know that may never happen), but self defense.
Was this war really a mistake? Try telling that to the mothers that have lost their sons, as they sob into the flag that represents who they stood for. Tell it to the children, as they cry themselves to sleep, still thinking their dad is out there, waiting to come scoop them up in his arms. Tell that to everyone else that has lost a loved one.
People criticize our government, saying the President is responsible for the death of every troop overseas, protesting that this war is unjustified. This is a hefty burden for our leader to bear, especially knowing it is partially true. The deaths of our soldiers are on him. But to me, as a United States Marine, it is better to withstand the deaths of our warriors, than to let our civilians perish, and have our homeland dishonored. Yes, it is unfair that our service members must die, but they die in honor, assuring YOU that no future generation will ever have to suffer the pain of that fateful day again.
And the stakes of this war are higher than you think. It is NOT as simple as just pulling out of Iraq. Yes, this would bring home our men and women, it would preserve countless American service members’ lives, for a time. But what happens when our enemies come at us again? Will we get off as easy next time? 9/11 was tragic. But what if the next time the death toll is even higher? What if we suffer not 3000 casualties, but 30,000? We cannot afford to take that risk. The war must go on, but not on our turf. We will fight and kill every insurgent, terrorist, and extremist, until our people can live free of the fear of oppression. Remember who you are and what you stand for. Remember the United States of America, and the liberty for which she stands.
Written by:
Cpl. Odem, Richard J.
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