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Care packages for our Troops

Charlotte — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:48:00 +0000

If anyone sends care packages to our deployed troops. I found this list of items to send. I found it at TroopCarePackages.com.

Here is a list of suggested care package items that the troops could use.

FOOD ITEMS:
*Instant coffee
*Powdered Gatorade
*Powdered hot chocolate
*Kool-Aid (presweetened)
*Tea bags
*Slim Jim's
*Crackers and Easy Cheese
*Single servings of bagged chips
*Hard Candy
*Little Debbie snack cakes
*Bubble gum
*Rice Krispie Treats

*Dry cereal
*Kraft Easy Mac
*Microwave popcorn
*Beef jerky
*Granola bars
*Power bars
*Dried fruit
*Chex mix
*Canned soup
*Tuna or Chicken (canned or in a pouch)
*Spices
*Summer sausage
*Oatmeal
*Salsa
*Lollipops
*Marshmallows
*Gum
*Chips
*Ragu Express
*Canned chicken
*Salad dressing
*Instant soup
*Fast food condiments
*Ramen Noodles and Cup a Soup
*Crackers and easy cheese
*Summer sausage
*Canned Fruit
*Canned Beans and Franks
*Sardines
*Fruit/Jell-O cups and puddings
*Pop Rocks
*Girl Scout Cookies

PERSONAL ITEMS:
*Clorox wipes
*Baby wipes
*Razors, shaving cream
*Shampoo, conditioner
*After shave lotion
*Soap or body wash
*Mouth wash
*Deodorant
*T-shirts, underwear and socks
*A big fluffy towel
*Eye drops
*Chapstick
*Lip balm
*Sun block
*Skin so soft (Avon)
*Lotion
*Dental floss
*Baby powder
*Foot powder
*Combs /brushes
*Cotton balls
*Liquid hand sanitizer
*Breath mints
*Contact lens cleaner
*Eye drops
*Nail files
*Hand Warmers
*Nyquil and Dayquil

For Females:
*Feminine hygiene products (Tampons, panty liners)
*Hair bands
*Hair clips
*Nail polish
*Nail clippers
*Q-tips
*Small mirrors
*body sprays
*Hair spray (Pump)
*Hair gel

PRACTICAL ITEMS:
*Batteries
*Sunblock
*A stress ball.
*Paper and envelopes (Note: Our troops do not need stamps as they're in war zones and may send mail home for free.)

*Phone cards (AT&T)
*Paperback book or magazines
*Disposable cameras
*Puzzles
*Film
*Journals
*Yo Yo's
*Squirt guns
*Frisbees
*Dart boards
*Small flash lights
*Hackie sacks
*Jump ropes
*Electronics hand held games
*Handmade items
*Radio head sets
*Portable CD players
*Mini fans
*Jokes and comics
*Balloons
*Hats
*Bandannas
*Wool Blankets
*Bug off
*Local Newspapers
*CDs, DVDs
*Shaving brushes or blush brushes. These help to remove sand
From weapons.
*Yankee Candles
* Joke and Comic books

Items for Troops to Give to Iraqi Children

â€¢ Shoes (used OK/sneakers too)
â€¢ Soccer Balls
â€¢ Frisbees
â€¢ Small toys
â€¢ Child sunglasses (Hot item)
â€¢ Potato stix (small cans)
â€¢ Bubble gum/Chewing Gum
â€¢ Snack mixes-Chex Mix, Gardetto's
â€¢ Cashews, peanuts, etc.
â€¢ Pretzels
â€¢ Rice Krispie Treats
â€¢ Goldfish crackers

Red Friday! Everyone please read!

Charlotte — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 08:01:00 +0000

THIS WAS SENT VIA E-MAIL TO ME. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE EMAIL AND YOU SEE WHAT IS MEANT BY RED FRIDAY.

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who’d been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

No, he responded.

Heading out I asked?

No. I’m escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq . I’m taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn’t know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier’s family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign.”

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here’s a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing
Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support
our troops used to be called the “silent majority.” We
are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for
God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We
are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends,
simply want to recognize that the vast majority of
America supports our troops. Our idea of showing
solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and
respect starts this Friday — and continues each and
every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a
deafening message that … every red-blooded American
who supports our men and women afar, will wear
something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV — let’s make the United
States on every Friday a sea of red much like a
homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every
one of us who loves this country will share this with
acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will
not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it
will let our troops know the once “silent” majority is
on their side more than ever, certainly more than the
media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked “What can
we do to make things better for you?” is ..”We need
your support and you r prayers.” Let’s get the word out
and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear
something red every Friday.

IF YOU AGREE — THEN SEND THIS ON.

IF YOU COULDN’T CARE LESS — THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON.

IT IS YOUR CHOICE.

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!

Lazy Ramadi

Charlotte — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 09:28:00 +0000

This is another one I found at Blue Star Chronicles. Soldiers have to release steam somehow

True Military Story Links

Charlotte — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 17:33:00 +0000

Iraq statue honoring American soldiers

Tooth that saved a soldier’s life

Airline passengers give up their seats for US Soldiers

Free cards to US Troops from Xerox

Question

Charlotte — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 16:59:00 +0000

I wore my red today. Did you?

Wednesday Hero

Charlotte — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 02:48:45 +0000

Army Spc. Donald L. Wheeler
22 years old from Concord, Michigan
A Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
October 13, 2003

Spc. Donald Laverne Wheeler was affectionately known as “DJ” to his family, which included three sisters and eight brothers. In the military, he picked up the nickname “Sunshine.” “They called him Sunshine at Fort Hood in Texas because he was so tall he stood out from everyone else and he was always smiling,” said one of his sisters, Andrea Barrett. Wheeler died on October 13, 2003 in an attack in Tikrit. His mother, Mary Cay Wheeler, said he decided to enlist after the Sept. 11 attacks. “He loved the Army but at the same time he missed his family”, she said. They had a photo of Wheeler blown up to near life size and brought it to his sister’s wedding reception because he couldn’t attend. “I shall always remember him, a big kid who gave everything he had on that dusty day,” said Lt. Jason Price at a memorial service in Tikrit. “It’s difficult to say goodbye.”

These brave men and women have given their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams.
Those Who Say That We’re In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don’t Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Blogs Participating In Wednesday Hero
Yankee Mom
Bear Creek Ledger
Mail Call! Supporting The Troops
Yeah, Right, Whatever
CrosSwords
Gazing At The Flag
Gawfer
Ohio Military Reserve
DeMediacratic Nation
My Point
A Day In The Life Of…..
Hooah Wife & Friends
Right-Wing & Right Minded

Blue Star

Charlotte — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 01:40:19 +0000

The significance of this button means a lot to me. It signifies the service of several of my ancestors. My father and father-in-law served in WWII. My husbands step grandfather served in WWI. My ex son-in-law served in Iraq. My daughter is currently serving in Iraq. My oldest son was also in the Army, but it was not at a time of war, but he served our country nonetheless.

I look at that star and I feel very proud and honored to be related to these brave, brave people. I feel my life is better for being related to them.

Blue Star Chronicles

Wednesday’s Hero

Charlotte — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 23:27:26 +0000

Cpl. Jason E. Meier
From Arlington, Wisconsin
1st Team, 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Bravo Battery, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Wing Support Group 37 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Air Wing (Forward)

Cpl. Jason E. Meier plays soccer with an Iraqi boy during humanitarian efforts while on a Mounted Combat Patrol in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq, November 8, 2006. Meier is the vehicle commander for 1st Team, 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Bravo Battery, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Wing Support Group 37 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Air Wing (Forward). He is an Arlington, Wis., native.These brave men and women risk their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams.
Those Who Say That We’re In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don’t Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

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Gifts from the Homefront

Charlotte — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:03:29 +0000

Send a gift certificate from AAFES to our troops

Gifts From The Homefront

Calling cards for the troops

Help the troops call home

Wednesday Hero

Charlotte — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 02:23:21 +0000

SFC. Paul Ray Smith
33 years old from Tampa, Florida
Bravo Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

April 4, 2003 When you think of the word Hero, SFC. Paul Smith is the person you think about.

On April 4, 2003, Smith was setting up a temporary enemy prisoner of war holding area during the seizure of Saddam International Airport when his unit came under attack.

Smith kept his soldiers focused during the fight while engaging the Iraqi force of around 100 men with his M16, a hand grenade and an AT4 anti-armor weapon.

Smith tossed a grenade over a wall then he climbed atop the armored vehicle. Disregarding personal danger, he sprayed the attacking troops with .50-caliber machine gun fire. According to the Army, he told a soldier who accompanied him to “feed me ammunition whenever you hear the gun get quiet.” He fired more than 300 rounds at the enemy before being mortally wounded himself.

For his action on that day, SFC. Smith was posthumously awarded the Medal Of Honor by President Bush,

becoming only the 3,459 serviceman to be awarded the honor since the Civil War.

His “conspicuous gallantry, above and beyond the call of duty,” according to his citation, protected the soldiers in his platoon as well as other troops at an aid station nearby.

These brave men and women have given their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams.
Those Who Say That We’re In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don’t Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Blogs Partcipating In Wednesday Hero

Yankee Mom
Bear Creek Ledger
Mail Call! Supporting The Troops
Yeah, Right, Whatever
CrosSwords
Gazing At The Flag
Gawfer
Ohio Military Reserve
DeMediacratic Nation
My Point
A Day In The Life Of…..
Blue Star Chronicles
Prying1
Pet’s Garden Blog
Pictures From My World
Freedom, GUNZ, Glory and EBYJO
Gunz Up
Screw Liberals
Did You Ever Get The Feeling
A Rose By Any Other Name
My Weekly Thoughts
Rightwing Guy
Trying My Best To Support The Troops
American And Proud
Maryannaville
Hooah Wife & Friends
Right-Wing & Right Minded

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