We didn't really treat our troops right in the Vietnam war. I think about 95% of the people have changed their views since then as to the troops themselves. I despise Bush and I despise the fact the he got us into this war. But these soldiers are just kids, really, and they are
our kids. They join to get an education, because they don't have any other ideas about what to do, or out of youthful patriotism. Never, ever should we blame
them though. Blame the politicians.
I am a Democratic Precinct Chair here in progressive Austin Texas (the only blue county in sight). I heard about this way to support the troops through a Wes Clark email list. I recently sent this message to the Democrats on my email list of residents in the precinct and the response from them has been overwhelming. Most of them are very progressive and it is
not just Clarkies.
I am buried in Top Ramen Noodles, chocolate bars, huge cans of coffee etc and am becoming
very sorry that I volunteered to pay for shipping all this stuff--I have sent 4 boxes and have about 20 more to go. I had no idea everyone would be so generous, nor did I know quite how expensive it has become to ship things--I usually avoid having to ship things like I avoid the the plague. However, my extended family is coming to the rescue and chipping in on the postage.
I enclose letters that may subtly let them know I’m probably a progressive --without actually saying it or
ever saying I am against the war. (Things like my grassroots political group has kind of turned into a book discussion group and last week we met for pasta, salad and wine, and discussed the book,
God's Politics). I thank them for their service and tell them if they need a friend to write to, I'm here.
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THIS IS THE MESSAGE I SENT DEMOCRATS IN MY PRECINCT:
This is totally non-partisan, but I am collecting stuff for 2 groups of soldiers in Iraq that I found on line at Anysoldier.com. I wonder if you all would look around your houses and see if you have anything that could be sent to them—they feel pretty lonesome and isolated and in the little time off they have they is not much interesting to do. If you find things they might like or feel better with, send me an email or give me a call and I will come by and pick up the stuff and put it in boxes and mail it. Of course I do
NOT approve of the war, but on the other hand, my son was a Marine once (over my not-quite-dead-body). I want our soldiers treated right this time.
One group is 33 Marines (30 males, 3 females) living in an abandoned building near Fallujah. They have only a “boiler” to fix food in—don’t have a microwave etc. They have asked especially for
hygiene products for both males and females and
things that can be cooked in the “boiler.”—like Top Raman noodles, flip-top cans of Chili etc (NO PORK PRODUCTS can be sent to Iraq). I think from looking at other soldier’s requests, they would also like things like snacks (cookies candies crackers coffee tea drink mix like Crystal Light), perhaps used CDs and DVDs (many soldiers out there brought along their little players), anything for recreation (like a football --a softball etc), games, crossword puzzle books etc, magazines enjoyed by young men and women. My correspondent is a young Marine from Orange Grove, Texas named Cpl Wm. James, he is 25—almost all are young and he is speaking for his unit My correspondent was not too specific about their wishes other than the part I have put in bold.
Another group is a medical unit operating around Tikrit. They could use not only things for themselves but also toys etc for Iraqi children, especially things like fuzzy stuffed toys, dolls, beanie babies to give to frightened or wounded children. The person speaking for them is Capt. Pamela Roof, a physician’s assistant. She is speaking for 25 men and 15 women. They need all the above things plus twin-bed sheets and pillowcases that are NOT white. (Right now they sleep on cots in one of Saddam’s old palaces, but are soon getting twin bed mattresses.) She says the females like all kinds of pretty-smelling personal products and stationery, the men would like any sports equipment they could use in a relatively small space, everyone likes microwave popcorn, air fresheners, laundry soap so they can wash their own things by hand (they HAVE a laundry service but it is harsh and irregular), used books, DVDs, computer games, handheld games, recent but used magazines for male and female young people, candy --especially gummi bears, worms etc etc and chocolate).
We cannot send homemade cookies etc—everything that is edible has to still be in the package.
If you want to check this out, go to
AnySoldier.ComThey REALLY like letters too—quite a few get no mail from home at all. Keep it non-partisan—they also love to get photos in the letter of you and your family, your house, etc. I sent them one of everyone in the family, including the cat, Wessie.
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