Troop support?

[hubcap]

I was wondering if we may be able to do something on the site here in support of our local troops.

As most of you are aware, MS leads, or is close to the lead, in the per capita number of its citizens serving in Iraq. A lot of the time we don't put a face on the people who are over there serving our country. A lot of these people are in the reserves and when not serving in this capacity they are your local banker, or policeman, or store clerk, or factory worker.

So that we don't forget this, I was wondering if we couldn't do something on this site as a reminder. Maybe post photos or have a section for them to visit and give daily accounts. I don't know what the protocol is for posting photos or information about our local soldiers, but I'd like to see us do something here for our soldiers from the Pine Belt. Some sort of tribute maybe.

What do y'all think?

[aaron]

If someone knows of a soldier personally, that can tell them about the site, I'll be glad to give them a blog so that everyone can read it. I see a lot of soldiers doing that for their hometowns.

[Em.C.Spiteri]

As en ex-serviceman, I am always concerned about servicemen of any respectable Nation on the front line, as I used to be one of them. please remember that not on Americans are in Iraq, we also have British soldiers there and they ought to be recognised, many have been returned home in body bags.

[Conveyor Belt]

After the utter failure of Operation Gratitude at Checkers, and the complete disrespect of the bin that is clearly labled "Gifts for Troops, Not Trash" with lots and lots of pretty pictures and writing and then there's a completely normal garbage can within site and people just throw in all their garbage, I don't see the population as a whole actually DOING anything to support the troops. They'll give verbal support, but when it comes to getting off their ass or engaging in the labourous task of READING, it's a no brainer. Right now, the POPULAR thing to do is to support the troops but not the war. If it ever became popular to not support troops, it might really be similar to Vietnam.

I'm all for doing anything we can. I filled the one box we've gotten out almost by myself.

[justme]

I have found that sending phone cards is really nice. BUT I like to send them directly to the soldier and not to an agency who distributes them. Maybe we could start a thread/blog which ever is more appropriate and have the soldiers contact person or address if they don't mind giving it out and we could send care packages and phone cards ourselves and we could post a note if someone sent something and what they sent so items don't get over duplicated. ???

[Thyssa]

I am currently involved in sending packages to a guildie who is heading back over to Iraq. I've managed to get the guys in my office involved and when the box gets full I'll be shipping it over. As time goes on I told my friend to e-mail and let me if the guys have any special requests or needs. So I imagine the sending of boxes will grow to help the guys he's with. That's the best way i know how to support him. I will send him the MH url so he can update what's happening too....

Thyssa

[onlyme]

I am currently involved in sending packages to a guildie who is heading back over to Iraq. I've managed to get the guys in my office involved and when the box gets full I'll be shipping it over. As time goes on I told my friend to e-mail and let me if the guys have any special requests or needs. So I imagine the sending of boxes will grow to help the guys he's with. That's the best way i know how to support him. I will send him the MH url so he can update what's happening too....

Thyssa

This is a good organization and they have an extensive list of items needed/wanted:
http://www.give2thetroops.org/items.htm

Toiletries, small handheld games, magazines ( gender specific, but nothing too crude/sexual ), phonecards and supportive letters are always appreciated.

[Thyssa]

Yes, I have all those as my friend has given me his list of items they use most and go though most often, Thank you though for posting it! I'm sure it'll come in handy for people :)

Thyssa