How can you read his post and not request his address? Ok, so he's just new today, but is contact for 141 folks out in the hinterland?

Thanks, Mom

Hi Thanksmom,

Thanks for bringing Matt to our attention.  Oh my.....just so unbelievable...I will get a box off to them in the next couple of days.  There is only one female there....God love her...will have to make sure to stick something feminine in the box as well.

Rosemary

Since he doesn't give any clue as to what they need, I did a search for "patrol base" and unit from "Kentucky".  I found a total of 9, including SSG Vinson, so if you want to find a sampling of what some of them are asking for, it might give you a hint.  I suppose any of them out of the wire could use similar things.  One of them had several pics, and a couple had some good examples of what they wanted the most.  One of them gave the name of the FOB that was near them that they hardly got to see.  Hope that will help with the supply issue.

Gran

Hi all,

I just wanted you to know I got an e-mail from SSG Matt Vinson, today, 1/26/08.  He said he got a couple of my boxes.  I want to share with you one thing he wrote.  

"We can't reach the parents very well because they are set in their ways, just like my parents and grandparents, but we can influence these children to actually "WANT" a better lifestyle for their future.  It's little things like this that keep my Soldiers going on day to day, to know that they may end up making the ultimate sacrifice but one day it will make a difference, it's just hard to see, being on the front line because all we do is fight.  These care packages, Mary, help my Soldiers remember some small things back home that keep their minds right as well, even something as small as a familiar taste that takes their mind back to a better place, even if just for a moment or two.  So again, thank you so much for the support."

I ordered the packages from TreatAnySoldier on January 12th, so I know he got those, and I am sure he will be e-mailing all of you when he gets the mail. 

Mimi Z.

 I

l     

Thanks for sharing that with us, Mimi.

Anna 

  I had requested their address the day they posted. My first thought was to figure out a way to send "tarps" also. I just mailed a box of things for the one female in the group today. The next box I send will be to the guys. Hopefully, I will find a way to continue to support this group. After checking again today, I can't believe they still have so few requests for their address.

Just a side note. I haven't been on here for a while. I had some kind of systemic allergic reaction to something and my face was swollen like a balloon for a few days. Now skin is dry and peeling and I look like I'm 20 years older :) But I'm healing now, just slowly.

Karen

I agree with the above statements..

it is indeed hard to think about what to send, obviously necessities like wipes and hygeine stuff.. and I took the advice to read other patrol bases/KY like them.. got a few ideas..

I don't know what I can do, but I will try to think of something and then request the address.. if anyone has any specific ideas or places to get things for this group, please post it here.

thanks

Thanks for posting about this contact. I think tarps are an excellent idea. I would suggest camping supplies as it sounds very rustic there. Of course, the soldiers need abundance of goldbond foot powder and socks. Are any of you near a military clothing store where you could purchase socks? Maybe we could pool money and send a shipment of socks.What do you think?

Dan

Hello.  I think tarps would be a great thing to send but I wonder if the color of the tarp matters, so many times when we send things they have to be certain colors.  Maybe clear plastic sheeting would help, the thick stuff.

  To dry their clothes I was thinking a retractable clothes line would be nice, for inside.  You just hook them to the wall and when not in use it's just on the wall, but when you want to use it you just pull the cord out and hook it onto another wall and hang your clothes up.  I'll look at Walmart today.

Another suggestion would be air fresheners, especially with their plumbing situation.  And hand sanitizer, so important in that environment.

I'm sure mud is a big problem for them so any kind of boot brushes would also help.

Well, I guess I'm off to go shopping.  Money is a little tight right now but I'll see what I can come up with.

Mary

Mimi- any hint if they get mail delivery or must go back to the FOB to pick up mail? I'll send lighter things in individual packs if they don't get delivery, I can send more canned goods otherwise. I'm hoping Matt will let me know soon.

As to tarps, a good friend works at a tarp place and she is trying to get something going with her suppliers. No news yet but I'll let you know if it comes through. Postage will be a problem I suspect, more than the donation of materials but this friend knows how to get donations from veterans groups and all...  Don't hold off on anything you may have to send as it may fall through, on the other hand if purchasing items perhaps tarps need not be top of your list?

 Thanks, Mom

Hi Mom,

He said he has quite a few guys under him, and that a lot of them do not get many packages from home.  He said he is in a light Infantry line unit, we run missions quiet often and don't get much down time.  He said they have pretty bad living conditions this time around, no  plumbing, have to burn our own trash, 2 hot meals a day, 1 tv and the kids ask him if it gets any better.  He said he told them "Not really, but it's all about your perception."  He said a lot of the young guys are learning quickly that it is terrible there, because they are so used to having it so good in America.  He said in the overall scheme of things, even though we have to burn our own fecies, and trash and our food is terrible, all of these Iraqi children have lived their childhood in far worse conditions, and their parents too.

I think they will be happy with food, and whatever would make anyone a little more comfortable in that situation, and from the sound of it, they must see a lot of the children.

Mimi 

Hey Dan,

I think it is a great idea to pool money and send a shipment of socks.  Count me in.  Oh, he said in their down time they like to go to the gym.  Maybe we could all pool for a tv, but I have no clue how to get it to them.  Your thoughts Dan.

Mimi

Mimi,

 Sent you a PM

Joy