On Monday, 9/11/06, as I pulled into a local strip mall and headed for its’ super market I couldn’t help but notice the presence of The American Red Cross. Volunteers were out in force at about four locations in the parking lot of the mall. Red Cross trucks were parked conspicuously in a couple of different locations as well. As I pulled down a row in the parking lot headed for the nearest space near the market I thought, “9/11,a good day for a blood drive”.
Then I saw a camouflage painted van truck with the words Operation Helmet painted on the side. “What’s this?” I wondered.
More on the flip side.
I got out of my car and approached the market. Several Red Cross volunteers were standing near the entrance. This is some kind of fundraiser I figured. As I approached the entrance, one of the volunteers approached me and asked if I would contribute to Operation Helmet. I asked what that was all about. On a nearby table they showed me two Army combat helmets. One had been “upgraded” with better padding and so forth on the inside. The upgraded helmet provides better protection in case of nearby explosions for the soldier I was told. The volunteer explained that “Our government does not supply the upgraded helmets to our soldiers. One of the upgrade kits costs about $90. Would I contribute so Michigan National Guard troops serving in Iraq could get the upgrade kits for their helmets?”
I told the volunteer I would think about that while I was in the store. I went about my shopping, and when I came out of the store I was approached by two other volunteers with the same proposition. I gave them some loose cash I had in my pocket, thanked them for their good efforts on behalf of our troops and then asked them to do me a favor. “What’s that?” they asked. I asked them to call their congressman and inquire as to the necessity of their volunteer work that day. I told them that from what I had read, the U.S. government spends more on defense/military than ALL THE OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD COMBINED. Why on earth then, do Michigan National Guard troops depend on charitable contributions to provide them with essential safety equipment?
The two volunteers told me that several folks had asked them similar questions that day and agreed that my suggestion was legitimate. Later at home that evening, I e-mailed congressman Mike Rogers (R. Mi. 8th district) and asked him basically the same question. To be fair, Mike usually answers my e-mails with a stock form letter response. To date he has not replied to my recent question, but I expect him to in a few days’ time. Pardon me if I do not expect as candid an answer as Representative Murtha would provide.
