Support Our Troops: Free Republic Operation Phone Home

03/02/2003 | dware

[dware]

FReeper friends & family,

I have a friend in Kuwait, where he and his division have been stationed now for two months in Operation Enduring Freedom. I have been emailing him, and we have been able to clear the sending of packages from folks here over to them.

According to him, they are in desperate need of International phone cards. Calls from Kuwait to home cost about $1.55 a minute, and many of his division are often unable to make calls to their loved ones & family because of the expense. Letters of support from children & adults here at home are also extremely welcome, as are pictures and similar items.

That's where the Free Republic Operation Phone Home comes in. I am coordinating with my friend to get members of his division the items mentioned above, and I would like to ask your help in doing so. If you have been interested in establishing a direct line to a troop or two, this would be the perfect opportunity.

On March 20, 2003, I will be sending out the first of (hopefully) many packages for the troops. Items to be included are:

International phone cards
Letters
Pictures
Drawings from children, etc.

At this time, we are working out the logistics of other items to be included in the care packages, and as soon as we have that done, I'll post it here.

For now, here's how you can help: FReepmail me, or email warehouse@gvii.net and I will send you my address. You can then send a phone card or two, pictures, letters, etc. to me, and I will begin including them in the FR Operation Phone Home packages. If you would like to help with the cost of postage, you can also include a small contribution to the postage fund, though it is not required.

Let's show our support for our men & women in service, and let them know Free Republic CARES!

[dware]

If you have any questions, you can email me at the address above, and I will do everything I can to answer them. Thank you in advance for supporting our troops!

[dware]

FYI Ping

[dware]

FYI Ping

[dware]

Perhaps this could be included with the next USO Canteen Freeper Style?

[Libertina]

What an excellent idea, dware! BTTT!

[yoe]

I am on board...just sent you an e-mail. Good luck with this worthwhile endeavor!

[dware]

Thought you might like to see this.

[fooman]

Its insane that the dod does not provide internet phone or at least 500 minutes per month...

[dware]

I have told my friend that there is likely to be quite a response to this - they're not letting us down, let's not let them down!

[lysie]

Great idea.... thanks. Will be checking around for the cards.

ping.

[dware]

My friend mentioned the last call he made home cost $150! They are supposed to get Internet, and can sometimes avert these costs one way or another, but there are more times when they cannot, which is why they need our help.

[dware]

NOTE: It will be made clear with every package that these are coming from FReepers. Registered, would you be willing to come up with a simple logo I could use on all correspondence relating to the packages?

[dware]

FYI - The cards can be purchased at places like Mail Boxes Etc. or similar places. You can also get the ones at Wal Mart, though the amount on the card will be used faster because of the International rate (however, EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!)

[RaceBannon]

Operation phone home, sending goodies to the troops overseas!

[dware]

Thanks for getting this out! There have been other similar projects from various groups around the nation, but this is the only one I know is a Free Republic exclusive!

[MozartLover]

Thanks for the ping. Great idea!

[jbg]

Have been doing this through a 501(c)(3) organization, so contributions are tax-deductible. Simpler to raise money and buy cards in bulk (Sam's has the best price the club has found and has been very supportive, including donating some cards), have contributors write a personal note on a small card to go in an envelope with each phone card. The club is sending boxes of cards to the CSM for distribution.

[dware]

Thanks for posting this. I have been advising everyone who is interested to include a short note saying hello & including their address so the troops can write directly back if they choose.

Thanks again for posting!

[jbg]

Also makes a great school project, kids can bring in money for a phone card and write a note to go with their card. Response was great. Somebody should do this in Maine schools.

[xJones]

Sounds great and I see that we can buy international cards from Sam's or Mailbox.