Posted on 02/12/2003 5:18:55 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
The original idea about organizing a Canteen project to mail packages
to the military belongs to MoJo2001
What started out with a simple FReep mail to several people quickly became a hit.
My 2 cents was to suggest that we get this project underway
in time to get these packages to the military by Valentines Day.
I think there are many different ways to do this.
Our goal is get get packages and/or cards, letters and e-mails to the military
so thay do not feel alone or forgotten on Valentines Day.
If you have not been to the USO Canteen Post Office recently there are new links and info there.
Info on what to include in Care Packages, snail mail postcards, new e-mail links, phone cards, etc.
Several FReepers have obtained snail mail addresses for active duty military.
Some of you have family and friends serving right now.
As you can tell this project can go in many different directions.
Some of you may want to "team" up with others to send one big package.
Others may want to do this by themselves.
Some may just want to e-mail or snail mail Valentines messages.
What is needed now is to post approved snail mail addresses of military bases and/or individuals.
I propose that each Wed between now and Valentines Day the thread be used to update info and ideas.
So to qoute a great patriot of 9/11 "LETS ROLL" and get this project underway!
THREAD ONE
THREAD TWO
THREAD THREE
THREAD FOUR
Hi Chaplain Minyard. God bless you all for protecting our freedoms.
radu has a cat named Cotton Mather (I think I have that right.)
Things are going ok here. FINALLY got word on hubby's arrival home, it'll be soon. *S* It'll be nice to have him home. Sadly though, I had to keep JJ home from school today cause he's been coughing and sneezing something horrible and just overall feeling puny. He and Robbie are taking a nap right now. Think I'll go do that as well...
Have a great day everyone!
Severa and JJ and Robbie are taking a nap. I wish I was too! Congratulations on hubby coming home. Thank you, Hostel, for your service to our country!
BIRD BATH — U.S. Airman 1st Class Daniel Grosvenor, 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, cleans the canopy of an F-15 Eagle prior to a training sortie. Grosvenor and other members of the squadron are supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Terry L. Blevins
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2003 -- U.S. Special Forces soldiers came under heavy weapons fire Feb. 10 as they patrolled an area north of Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.
The soldiers were on a mounted patrol when anti-coalition forces opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, U.S. officials said. The patrol drove through the fire and called for close-air support. Coalition aircraft dropped precision-guided munitions on targets and then strafed the area. There were no U.S. casualties.
The commander of the 2nd Battalion of the Afghan national army later arranged the surrender of 12 men loyal to a local warlord. The 12 had fled into the hills and hid in area caves; they turned over their weapons and ammunition to the 2nd Battalion.
The incident continues a string of isolated attacks on coalition forces. On Feb. 7, coalition forces came under fire southwest of Gardez.
There have been mortar and rocket attacks on coalition targets in the country. U.S. Central Command officials said it is sometimes difficult to tell whether an attack was directed at the coalition or was fighting among rival Afghan factions.
Operation Mongoose near Spin Boldak is winding down. Troopers of the 82nd Airborne Division continued cave destruction in the Adi Ghar Mountains. The operation began Jan. 27. At least 18 Afghan fighters loyal to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar were killed.
Hekmatyar, a former prime minister, had been generally thought to be an unaligned, renegade guerrilla leader. Flyers distributed last year in Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan, however, claimed Hekmatyar had joined forces with al Qaeda terrorists.
At Mongoose's height, 300 to 350 coalition troops were involved. Coalition forces cleared more than 75 caves.
Tankers from Company B, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor (Bulldogs) practice gunnery with their M-1 Abrams tanks on Range Falcon 4 in Kosovo, January 2003. The Bulldogs, from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Vilseck, Germany, are currently assigned to Task Force 2-2 Infantry, part of the Kosovo Force (KFOR). U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jason Redmond.
Actor Sean Astin records public service announcements thanking troops for their service at the Pentagon Jan. 30. Astin is known for his roles in "Rudy" and "The Lord of the Rings," but he's also been a civilian aide to the secretary of the Army since 1995. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Marcia Triggs)
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Feb. 4, 2003) - Actor Sean Astin and wrestler Bradshaw are among celebrities who are using their stardom to increase troop morale and keep the military fresh in the minds of Americans.
Astin, who is known for his roles in "Rudy" and the "Lord of the Rings," visited the Pentagon Jan. 30 to record public service announcements thanking troops for their service and re-emphasizing America's trust in its military.
He also narrated an announcement to promote the Criminal Investigation Command, commonly known as CID, and asked interested soldiers to apply to the command if they are interested in becoming a CID Special Agent.
"There's a lot of different people and voices in America, and I don't mind letting my voice be heard," Astin said during an interview conducted at the Pentagon. "I learned from reading about Vietnam that no matter what you think politically about certain deployments, as a good citizen and a patriot it's your duty to appreciate that there are soldiers using their lives on your behalf as a citizen."
Although many may know that Astin has appeared in more than 25 motion pictures, few know that he has served as a civilian aide to the secretary of the Army since 1995. He served under Togo West, Louis Caldera and now the current Secretary of the Army Thomas White.
For protocol purposes Astin, as a civilian aide, is ranked just below a three-star general and is considered to be the secretary of the Army's personal representative in the California region. Part of the basis of a CASA's appointment is his ability to increase the public's understanding of the Army, and Astin said he tells the Army story to anyone who wants to know it.
"I'm in a position where I do whatever I can to support the Army," Astin said. "I've visited installations, and took the time to write 'thank-you' letters to business who had reserve-component soldiers to be mobilized."
Wrestler Bradshaw signs an autograph for Spc. Melissa Smith, an administration specialist in the Army Operation Center, at the Pentagon Feb. 4.
In an unofficial capacity, Bradshaw has conducted countless interviews, worn Army apparel on TV and used his weekly program sponsored by World Wrestling Enterprise as a venue to talk about how the war is affecting its troops.
Bradshaw visited the Pentagon Feb. 4 and soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., who are recovering from wounds inflicted while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He was one of three performers who accompanied Sgt. Maj. of the Army Jack Tilley on a USO tour to Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kuwait during the Christmas holiday.
"During the USO trip, I told Sergeant Major Tilley that I regret not being a soldier," Bradshaw said. "He told me that, 'everyone has to find his own role and do what he can to support troops.'"
Both in and out of the ring, Bradshaw said his niche is telling Americans what life is like for soldiers on enemy territory.
"Video games have gotten so realistic now a lot of times people believe that soldiers are in some type of high-tech video game over there. That's not the case, we're putting men and women in the way of bullets.
"Despite the fact the Army does everything outstandingly well to take care of these soldiers, they're still out in the desert, away from families, and I don't care if they're staying in the Hilton, it's no place they want to be."
In the future, Bradshaw said he wants to film public service announcements also.
Astin's announcements will be seen on Armed Forces Radio and Television Stations.
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