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willie_51
58 / M / straight / Single
Springfield, Illinois
His journal posts
GIs in the boonies
I wonder just how many people have any connection to someone serving in Iraq or Afghanistan? I've been sending care packages to troops, and now chaplains, for several years and it's really gratifying to get feedback from those folks who are doing a tough job in a primitive, dirty, hot, and hostile part of the world. One of the good charities I've run in to is the "adopt-a-chaplain.org" bunch out in CA. It's not that I'm especially religious, as I deal with the more secular needs, I just figured that if anyone knew who was having a hard time and needed a little morale boost, they'd know. Also, the stuff I send is most likely to get distributed and not sold on the blackmarket if it passes through the chaplain's hands first.
I give to people who are sending them to their family members
company. It never occurred to me there could be fraud involved. I
just send personal hygiene stuff, books, games and stationary.
Stevie217 commented on
Well, fraud is always an option; some folks are just a little too
entrepreneurial and game the system. That said, I've had a lot of
stuff go over there, from snacks and personal items to sporting
goods, laser toner (who knew that they were issued printers but not
toner?), computer equipment, coffee makers, refrigerators, coffee
makers, microwaves, school supplies and humanitarian things for the
locals and translators. Mostly, I send what's requested, but right
now what's popular are powdered sugar donuts (easy to eat, a taste
of home, can hand them out quickly), DVDs of movies and any
requested TV show that they miss because it's not available on the
AFN system. Surprisingly, one of the things I get comments on are
the commercials that they miss. I guess it reminds them of home.
When the external temperatures get back down into the 70's again,
trays of brownies and other chocolate items make it into the
rotation. If I had a single, individual soldier or Marine to
support, the mix would be different, but sending stuff to a group
takes a different mindset.
willie_51 commented on
I do not watch tv, except for the weather forecast on mornings I
work, so it never occurred to me about tv shows. Makes sense. I
reckon local newspapers would be a treat, too. I forgot that I gave
a bunch of greeting cards, too. I am always buying them, then I
forget to send them. You know teenage nieces do not appreciate,
"happy four years old" cards.
Stevie217 commented on
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