Posted on 11/30/2005 6:28:24 AM PST by turbocat
"Operation Thank You" Offers Opportunity To Send Cards, Letters Or Packages To US Troops In Iraq Or Afghanistan
Franklin, TN: Shooting USA Television has launched a new effort to support the troops named "Operation Thank You".
The effort is posted on the www.ShootingUSA.com website to connect viewers of the show with one unit each month that's deployed at a Forward Operating Base in Iraq or Afghanistan. Show viewers are invited to send a letter of thanks, a card, or a package of small items to express support for the troops risking their lives overseas.
Jim Scoutten, Executive Producer of the Shooting USA series, said the idea grew out of a request from a First Sergeant with the 101st Aviation Battalion. "1SG Curtis Jones sent an e-mail asking if we could send over some Shooting USA items to help buck-up the morale of his troops", Scoutten said. "I said, sure we can do that, but then got to thinking why not make it bigger by asking our fans to join in."
Scoutten said it took a lot of e-mail messages with Sergeant Jones to work out the details for Operation Thank You. "The Army Mail Service will not deliver anything addressed to 'any soldier'", Scoutten said, "So everything from here is going over addressed to Sergeant Curtis Jones, who will distribute it to the members of his company and the battalion."
"We're starting with Sergeant Jones and his company, then each month after, we'll list a different unit on the Shooting USA website with the instructions on how to send mail and packages to a Sergeant with that unit", Scoutten said. "We surveyed our viewers on our e-mail broadcast list and found tremendous support for the idea", Scoutten said. "At a time when the troops are hearing from politicians and the media that we should cut and run, Operation Thank You is one way of sending the message that Americans still support them as they serve in harm's way. And the Christmas season is a good time to start."
BTTT. Ain't the sad truth? All we can do is all we can do though. I won't give up.
I won't give up either, thanks to folks like Old Sarge, Allegra, and others that I know are out there keeping our families safe.
Partners in crime, are we? He he he!!
And now you understand why I no longer support FR with blood and treasure - except for a few specific threads.
The rest of this place can burn.
I understand your frustration, Sarge, but I love FR. The 10% are enough to keep me going, and maybe (not holding my breath) we can motivate a few more to get involved. Stay safe!
Thanks for posting this info. Our family will be participating.
You shouldn't have to -- FR should be supporting you.
Woo Hoo!
Thanks for all your good posts....
Let's get those cards and letters out today, Freepers. Help our troops to have a happy Christmas.
I'm actually in the good ol' US of A now, but likely headed back on or around January 1.
It gets in your blood...
Merry Christmas and thank you for all that YOU do to support our finr troops.
Welcome home! :-)
Frankly, having supported Soldier'sAngels and anysoldier, and having beat the USPS mailing deadline for overseas (Dec. 3), I'm tapped out until January.
Also, folks may be reading, responding with their cards and gifts, and just not posting.
Getting snarky doesn't help much, does it?
Snarky? Whatever.
We are already doing it.
It darned sure doesn't hurt anything. Often getting "snarky" does help because the squeals of those feeling guilty actually serve as bumps for a thread. Bumps which otherwise do not materialize (I can comfortably say this after observing FR for 8+ years).
Yes, I know you're all tapped out. Me, too. I'm so broke I can't even afford to bump a thread or two or ping some friends. [sob]
Thanks for the support folks!!!
I'm hearing there's a lot of support and packages going out in time for Christmas....
And a new unit to support for January.
So even if it's too late to get something to the soldiers by Christmas, January is just around the corner. It will be a spirit-lifter for them whether it's received in Dec. or January or February.
Thanks and bump
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