How to support the troops?

I understand that care packages won't be delivered because of bomb concerns. That understandable.

I've also heard that the troops appreciate phone cards for calling home and those can be sent.

What else is needed and how can it be delivered? Addressed to 'Any GI in the Persian Gulf or Afghanistan'? Anyone know of sites with info?

Hi Jeff-

I highly recommend using http://anyservicemember.navy.mil to send well wishes to our forward deployed troops, both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Plus, a simple "Thank You" online greeting could be forwarded via www.defendamerica.mil ~

I also highly recommend the Marine Corps Community Services website support section at USMC-MCCS.org, plus, there's plenty more avenues of support ideas listed on their website.

And of course, don't forget the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services at RedCross.org. They're a major avenue of support for all of our troops and their brave families.

Thank you for mentioning this Jeff... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

-Jim

Jim,

Thanks for the info! I will make a donation shortly.

Now for a little bit of chewing on the rest of you. I want to chastise my fellow CPFers for not viewing this thread. I'd like to think that people are contributing their time and effort in other ways that support the troops but very few people have even gazed at this thread.

For crying out loud, my Pancake and Syrup thread got more responses! It's a shame. Instead, we're calling each other names or making innuendos about someone having a hidden motivation with their posts. Waving the flag and honking your horn in support is fine but I'm talking about making a donation until it feels good.

I was going to buy a couple a flashlights in April but I don't think so. Instead, I'll donate the money to one of the organizations that support our troops.

Jeff, great ideas .

The USO also accepts donations. While the money doesn't directly support the troops already "in theater", it does help those still here.

I can't remember how many times I thanked those USO volunteers at the airports when I was being sent somewhere, stuck or just plain old tired and hungry. Some food, a place to rest and someone to talk to really help those criss-crossing this great land.

Check out: USO Home

We have them regularly at work, last time they were out they said there was a shortage.

http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/blood/learn/

Cruise over to www.equipped.org and click into the forums. Doug Ritter / Equipped To Survive, has an excellent article on how to help and what to send, as well as what NOT to send. It is a good read and in keeping with ETS history, valid information with no fluff or doublespeak.

This was sent out a couple of weeks ago to most everyone in my unit. Anything snailmail is going to be checked and unless you know somebody personally don't mail anything.

NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

No. 139-03
(703)697-5131(media)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2003
(703)428-0711(public/industry)

TROOP SUPPORT MAIL POLICY STRESSED

To bolster force protection, the general public is urged not to send unsolicited mail, care packages or donations to service members forward deployed unless you are a family member, loved one or personal friend.

On Oct. 30, 2002, the Department of Defense (DoD) suspended the "Operation Dear Abby" and "Any Servicemember" mail programs due to force protection concerns. Although these programs provide an excellent means of support to friends and loved ones stationed overseas, they also provide an avenue to introduce hazardous substances or materials into the mail system from unknown sources. Unsolicited mail, packages and donations from organizations and individuals also compete for limited airlift space used to transport supplies, war-fighting materiel and mail from family and loved ones.

Recently, DoD has become aware of organizations and individuals who continue to support some form of the "Any Servicemember" program by using the names and addresses of individual servicemembers and unit addresses. These programs are usually supported by well-intentioned, thoughtful and patriotic groups who are simply unaware of the new risks facing deployed military forces. Some individuals and groups publicize the names and addresses of service members, ships or units on Web sites, with good intentions. The result, however, is a potential danger to the troops they wish to support.

DoD cannot support creative and well-intentioned efforts that defeat force protection measures, but can instead recommend alternatives to mail and donation programs. To show support to troops overseas, the following are recommended:

* Log on to the following Web sites to show support, to include greeting cards, virtual Thank You cards and calling card donations to help troops stay in contact with loved ones:
http://www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html
http://www.usocares.org/home.htm
http://www.army.mil/operations/iraq/faq.html

* Visit Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and nursing homes. Volunteer your services to honor veterans who served in past conflicts.

Mail from family members and loved ones has always been encouraged and the military mail system will continue to work hard to get that mail to servicemembers overseas.
[Web version:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2003/b03222003_bt139-03.html]
-- News Releases: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/releases.html
-- DoD News: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/dodnews.html
-- Subscribe/Unsubscribe:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/dodnews.html#e-mail
-- Today in DoD: http://www.defenselink.mil/today

One thing I want to add. Flashlights are not a bad idea. If you know someone who is overseas, or going to be deployed, a small red LED is not a bad idea (best if powered by a single AA, easiest batteries to get). Probably a CMG Infinity. SureFires (or other bright tactical light) are also usefull if it comes down to house to house fighting. There really are no issue lights anymore. When I was in Basic we had to buy those stupid angle head lights, but not many people use them after Basic. Maybe if D batteries were issued. The AA Minimag is the most popular, but that might just be due to cost and availability. A bright white light is also usefull for prisoner searches. Especially after taking prisoners after a battle, you really don't need to worry about giving your position away, and it makes searching much easier (if it's a raid or ambush, the standard is to be out of the area in less then 5 minutes), hell the "book" says to use white light.
The article is also a bit wrong about compases, though it does say that everyone "should" have them. A lot of units only issue themto team, or even squad leaders and above. And being typical military issue, they will break at the worst time, or the needle will start to stick and not move at all-I have first hand experience with this. Luckily only on land-nav courses, nothing real life.
Batteries, AA's and 123's for the abovementioned flashlights, and for whatever tape/CD/MP3 players they've brought along.

I have a friend that has a son that is a Marine that is in country. I put together a package that some other knife/light/gadget lovers chipped in with. It had:

Cold Steel SRK
Spyderco Steel Endura
Princeton Tec Attitude (figured batt life was important)
Pelican L1
Casio G shock
Gargoyles sunglasses
an some clothing items

It was all stuff we had left over from trades and things we didn't use, but was all new. We figured anything he didn't need he would hand out to someone that did. Don't know if it got there, they haven't heard from him.

I did this as units were being deployed to Afghanistan:

Shipped my old outfit three dozen red LED penlights (my own mods) for covert use and two gross of batteries. Haven't done anything recently, especially since they are saying don't mail stuff.

I will buy any I run into a beer or something when they get back though.

Make sure those knives are okay to send and won't be snagged by the inspectors.

I have heard the terms firearms and "weapons" tossed around a few times and seeming to be used interchangeably on the list of no-no's at our Family Support meetings. No porn, pork, religious materials /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif, or firearms (weapons).
I'm cool with most things, like no pork n'beans, but I can't send a New Testament!!!

Lights and batts would be greatly appreciated. If yall need, I know a certian Combat Support Hospital that could use some gear. Granted they're not true ground pounders, but I was told yesterday they're still waiting on "B" bags and equipment. Very little than what they had on their backs and hospital boxes. I just got done packing two SMALL boxes with jerky, batts, candy and q-tips and am sending them off tomorrow. Next round of different goodies to go out Friday. Should take around 3 weeks to get it and that's when they'll be needing it.

I know I always appreciated mail when I was feelin' low, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif but that unnounced gift pack always did wonders /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

-Jason

During Nam, when I was a wee pup...we used to send cookies, Slim Jims, fudge, mustard/ketchup packages lots of stuff to the guys. They used to actually publish the names of the service member and their addresses in the paper. We got alot of letters back, some with pictures...a couple guys came over when they got back, showed us more pics and slides. We "lost" some of the guys...

One day, there was an article in the local paper (Akron Beacon Journal) about a family looking for a little boy who had sent a package to their son. He wrote a letter to his family describing the package and thankful that a stranger had cared enough to send it. That was his last letter home, he lost his life in battle soon after that. That particular package had been sent by my little brother. The school knew we had been sending packages, making a long story short...our family and his family were fortunate to meet and we attended his funeral. Emotional about it as I type now...

Sending those packages to those guys built up patriotism, pride in country..who knows what other positive things it did for us. One of the factors that influenced my enlistment. It sure brought "the battle home" though!

I'm going to get my boys to send some letters of support to the troops. They need our support! Please don't just "think" about it, do it!

As much as it is appreciated, please re-read my post. Unless it's addressed to a specific person, there's a good chance it won't get there at all. An unknown package or letter may end up getting trashed. Concerns about force protection, and limited room for mail and packages.

Unicorn, PM sent. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Read, and responded too.
And again an apology for a (small /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) overreaction.

[ QUOTE ]
Jeff said:
What else is needed and how can it be delivered?

[/ QUOTE ]
Not sure about the origins of these photos, but it looks like they could use a few pillows!
www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid58/p46cecd3b1ac022e70dd98107178a0140/fc65601b.jpg
www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid58/pfb924331b36b3091a060f54f04c99326/fc656018.jpg
www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid58/pd75843bb706b40aa72e767cf9ed93500/fc656016.jpg