A Democratic Congress may be the best means of getting our troops home, but in the meantime, while we celebrate, they’re still serving under fire.
Which is why I recommend to you one of my favorite charities: anysoldier.com
http://anysoldier.com/WhereToSend
on which you’ll find the addresses of soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan requesting stuff for their units: books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, toiletries, etc.
These are young people often far from a PX, under fire, and hoping for something, anything, from home: even if it’s only a letter or postcard wishing them well.
And it will break your heart to see what they need in some cases, what is not being supplied by the military — or Halliburton — basic toiletries like soap, and tampons for women, pillows, sheets, for God’s sake!
(And sometimes, these warmhearted soldiers forget their own needs and request donations for local Iraqi or Afghani children and families.)
Postage is negligible, because you’ll be mailing to a U.S.-based APO address (Parcel Post or SAM is cheapest for packages, and please don’t pack toiletries in the same box as food! Other mailing info on the web site.)
Please send what you can, even if it’s only a letter.
Most soldier requests are very modest, considering what they’re giving up by being Over There. I’m sending some of my books, and cleaning out my bookcases.
Often, making a trip to the dollar store, after you’ve chosen your soldiers, will fulfill most of their requests for stuff like paper, pens, basic toiletries or wholesome snacks.
Thanks,
Judy
Thanks for reminding us. Our soldiers are more than worthy of efforts to provide them with basic human necessities. It is so SO sad to see that the civilian and military organizations that should be providing many of these items to our soldiers in combat are AWOL.
And for those who, like me, hate this war, let me point you to a quote from our own RubDMC’s “Iraq War Grief Daily diaries:
we love and support our troops, just as we love and support the Iraqi people – without exception, or precondition, or judgment
Because to be fully human, we must…
It’s so good to see you and thank you for the reminder that while we are fighting for them to return home and we have a snowball’s chance, they are currently still there. With drawl will likely be pretty tough too. Most likely they will be attacked on their way out, it seems to be the custom. So our troops will need our fortification.
They have to come up with their own tampons in the middle of nowhere? Jesus.