If anybody has an address to send a troop care package to Iraq....

[librarycard]

they need newspapers, magazines, beef jerky, dried fruit, nuts, canned vienna sausages and the like, Dimetab (to help w/the desert crud), kotex, foot powder, and so forth.

The commissary/PX is very small and cannot hold much.

"Any troop" as an address doesn't work for security reasons, but I've heard there are other avenues to send a package through, w/some addresses being procured via public schools.

Support the troops by sending them a care package. They are in dire straits because of Bush, and they are scared.

The GOP won't help. We must.

[AnnabelLee]

1. Anyone who is interested in sending a care package

might want to PM SoCalDem, who is getting some addresses together.

[Elidor]

2. I've been wondering where to send such packages

If anyone knows, I'd be glad of the info. I'll give up my beer money for a few weeks if it'll help them out there in hell.

[DagmarK]

3. Maybe we should start a drive......a BIG ONE.......

and make a HUGE dent in this problem.

I just can't believe how the govt has treated these troops. It's unbelievable.

Maybe we should try to talk it up in our communities and set out to have tables or barrels outside grocery stores for collections???

where to start?

[unfrigginreal]

4. "The GOP won't help. We must."

That is so true. I hope you can get some addresses for us. These young men and women need our support now more than ever, after being used as pawns for political gain.

If you have any leads on organizations that accept donations to supply our troops with these necessities I'd appreciate them.

[patrice]

5. Here's some care you can offer them and their families.

http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/

This is a group that is organizing families of military.

[Skittles]

6. WE JUST NEED THE NAMES/ADDRESSES OF SOLDIERS

WHERE ARE YOU SOCAL?

[Cha]

7. This is an excellent idea whose time has come!

Let's do it! I work in a Co-op and I bet we could donate some great food products to offset the monotony of "MRIs".

This would be the absolute best way to Support our Troops! :kick:

[Elidor]

8. A kick for SCD

[Cha]

9. Kick!

:kick:

[Octafish]

10. This is a GREAT idea!

Back in Gulf War 1, our local paper printed names and overseas mailing addresses for the men and women in uniform. The soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, and Coast Guardsmen received tons of mail. After they came home, several told me it really cheered them up. A couple guys I read about even married their new pen pals. Let's show our Troops who their REAL friends are — LIBERAL DEMOCRATS!

[unfrigginreal]

11. Doesn't anyone have addresses?

This post was started at 5 this afternoon and we still don't have any contacts or addresses. Please, someone in the know, we need your help on this.

[SoCalDem]

12. My friend Mary is getting some addresses from her son who is near Tikrit

I will call her this morning to see if she has heard from Jimmy yet.. Several people have DU maield me and are also waiting.. I know they can use a pick-me-up :)

[William_WaLLace_]

13. Why not send

Why not send food and care packages to starving and thirsty Iraqi families? How about a fund for all the orphans created due to an illegal war under color of law. How about more concern for those who can not help themselves (Iraqis) and less concern for those who would serve as the instrument of opression.

If the troops are that unhappy there, maybe they should submit a resignation? Or get re-assigned.

I am not sure of the rules promolgating discharges for the military. I know you must get through basic, and do a small amount of time. However, the 13th Amendment prohibits involuntary slavery, so its not a sign up and you can never leave issue.

Sorry folks, with the atrocities the USA committed (troops included) in Iraq, you think progressive DU would care a bit more about our new subjects (Iraqis) and less about the instruments of opression (troops).

[MoonGod]

14. It's a good idea...

... but I believe that defense officials are discouraging the practice because they're concerned about terrorists exploiting a large influx of packages to the troops.

Perhaps you want to consider donating to the USO? Or is there some nasty underside to them that I don't know about?

on edit:
http://www.usocares.org/home.htm

Show a Service Member You Care

With hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops deployed around the world, actively engaged in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the fight against terrorism, the USO is offering a way to send a reminder to the troops that they are appreciated and have not been forgotten.

Due to heightened security, individuals can no longer send letters and packages marked for delivery to 'Any Service Member'. Endorsed by the Department of Defense, the USO program "Operation USO Care Package", provides individuals with a way to touch the lives of our deployed troops around the world.

[rasputin1952]

15. Anyone wishing to get packages out to the troops...

can check with their local VFW, American Legion or AmVets to get the info necessary to get stuff out to them. A phone call is generally all that is needed, but the best way is to see if they will accept a package and then send it off for you. Don't forget to pay the postage, as many of these organizations not in a large municpality are generally strapped for cash.

Many of these Posts also have a drop off point, where you can drop off much of the stuff you want to send, and they will divide it up, package it and send it off.

Another avenue of approach, is to find out who in your community is serving, and the families of those serving, can get you unit APO's or FPO's, making it easier to get stuff out to them.

Good thread, BTW...since the WH seems unwilling to look out for our troops, the least we can do, is make sure they have a few items to see them thropugh, till we can get them home.

As an addendum: For those who feel they haven't given enough, VA hospitals are always looking for volunteers, local blood drives are a help, and numerous other activities that cost merely time and effort are out there.

:kick: