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**N96337** · 10-10-2007, 08:49

Re: Treats for Troops

Thanks Ed. It was a great idea last year and still just as good this year! My oldest girl's boyfriend (most likely future son in law) will be home from his 3rd tour there in about a month.... and he'd echo all that's been said about the "lifeline" to home....
JH

**Ed O'Brien** · 10-10-2007, 09:26

Re: Treats for Troops

We buried a Navy Corpsman here a few days ago. He was gunned down in Afghanistan about a month ago while serving as a Marine Medic. I know his father who spoke at this young man's funeral. He didn't quaver as he spoke about his son, Robert. "I've never done anything half as brave as my son. I stand before you as a witness only. To tell you what I think Rob would like me to say on his behalf. Rob loved you all so much that he'd die for you... (my friend paused and summoned himself and then quietly added)... "and he did." Let us take care of our sons and daughters.
God Bless'em all;
ED OBRIEN

**hangarb7** · 10-10-2007, 10:05

Re: Treats for Troops

Group,

Isn't it interesting that we all feel the same way. My wife and I met a young gent who was back from Iraq at a party a couple of weeks ago and I asked what I could send in a care package to a soldier. Here is his e-mail message to me (note the comments about BRAND of PHONE CARD!)

"Like I mentioned before, I really enjoyed magazines. And these can be ones that you've already read and want to get them out of the pile that is building up in your house. Books are good too. I had people go to book sales etc. and find stuff but I read a bit more than the average GI.

On some of the smaller bases it is hard to get toiletries but on some of the bigger bases they have big places that sell more than one would need. I think it is harder for females.

Beef jerky is always welcomed but can get a bit expensive. One friend's mom was always sending M&Ms which we enjoyed. There are phone centers over there at the bigger places and they use AT&T and only AT&T for some reason. So if you wanted to get calling cards then those would be the way to go.

There are only a couple things that we had plenty of...feel free to send them but I just remember that we had a stock pile of drink mixes and gum. These are good things to send but for some reason everyone we knew felt the need to send them at the same time. I hope this helps you Jack and again I apologize for the delay. Thanks for your support, it means more than you can imagine."

So, AT&T phone cards only. Got any magazines to send?

I'm sending every airplane and car mag I get. Give them something to look forward to...

By the way, I am checking out a website called "www.anysoldier.com" to see if this is legit. I don't know anyone over there, so I am making an attempt to send to GIs who don't have much family or will distribute the stuff among their troops.

One more thought, my sister in law sent a couple of disposable cameras to her guys and they came back with dozens of pictures to put faces on names.

Thanks all,

Jack Dernorsek
N44057

**VictorBravo** · 10-10-2007, 10:25

Re: Treats for Troops

Let's all just pray that they all get home safely. I'm praying for my son's safe return like many of you are praying for your sons, daughters, or grand-kids.

My son called me on one of those phone cards a couple of weeks ago, needless to say it made my whole day! When I asked him how he felt about being over in Iraq and what he thought of our mission there, he said "It sucks. But either I'm going to fight these (!*$^# here, or you're going to fight with them in Los Angeles... take your pick."

Like most of the people who grew up watching the Watergate fiasco on TV as a kid, I have some pointed questions about what is really going on behind the scenes, and I have a very healthy dis-trust for that kind of stuff. But I also believe that this fight has to be fought, and I'm selfish enough to want it fought there rather than here. I hope I'm right.

**Ed O'Brien** · 10-10-2007, 12:57

Re: Treats for Troops

Tribe;
In Defense Dept. parlance a, "combat day." Is any day or part of any day in which a service member is actively participating in combat or combat related duties. In other words "how many days were you shooting or being shot at." In World War 2 the average infantryman had 57
combat days (Marines) to 69 (Army) combat days and this was over a 3 to 4 year period. Today, our troops are getting 150, 200-225 combat days in a one year deployment and some have gone 3 to 4 times. I'm not saying that the level of mayhem is the same as a full force on force engagments like D-Day... but small infantry skirmishes are all the same. You're the same scared and you can get the same dead.

A "combat day" eats you down a little each day. It saps your sense of courage and self respct. It haunts you until it finds a weak spot and then it tells you you are worthless, abandoned, and alone. DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN!!!

My point is... these young people are folks to be proud of. These are people doing what no soldiers have ever done in the history of the world. What no country has ever asked its Army to do. These are people in one hell of a fight. AND, telling them you love them, showing them you care, sending them a rememberance of home, giving them praise and a bit of tenderness... is the least any of us can do. No matter if you're Republican or Democrat, Muslim or Jew, right or left, up or down... you're looking at the bravest bunch of Dogs since history began.
With regards and respect;
Ed O'Brien

**Ed O'Brien** · 10-12-2007, 13:24

Re: Treats for Troops

Tribe;
Here's a CNN story about people donating to the troops. It'll give you some good ideas about what they need.

Latest Videos | CNN

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2007/07/02/cnn.heroes.dorine.kenney.cnn

Sorry that there's a TV commercial in the front of this piece. It's a CNN thing. I've not met the lady in this report. Donate to her fund should you like. I've made some recommendations too. Pick one that you like. Make a donation. Do it today.

Thanks for your support;
ED O'BRIEN

**M Jones** · 10-12-2007, 13:59

Re: Treats for Troops

On a similar note, I purchased a "BOGO" light (ByOneGiveOne) earlier this year, and one was donated to (my choice) one of our troops in the Middle East. This light was developed by a Marine. Its a pretty nice light to have in the plane or car by the way.

World News - Bogo News

http://www.bogolight.com/

**Ed O'Brien** · 10-22-2007, 08:24

Re: Treats for Troops

Last week, I gave a talk (sponsored by the American Legion) to some families with Marines deployed to Iraq for the first time. I met some absolutely wonderful folks... truely wonderful. My talk was to give them some advice on communications with their young Marines and tips on supporting them too.

There was a Q&A afterwards which dealt mostly with the issue that these young people are facing issues with feeling abandoned, expendable, forgotten, isolated. Not isolated one from another as Marines but alone against the
Media and Politcal debate in America. Each family stated that what they see in the news is not what they see on the ground. My suggestion is when you make a donation to any of these fine organizations in this thread that you let the Service person know your email address. Likely, they'll write you a thank you note along the line. You can find out the straight poop from the front lines and you'll be better informed as a citizen as to what's going on overseas. I think you'll be heartened through such an exchange. I know the service person will be also.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

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