Got an email from our favorite Major and it sure looks like he could use some more support but being a Marine is dealing with the heat, flies, etc. So get out your hygiene items, drink mixes, cigars and letters of support to the ONE AND ONLY!

Meaning no disrespect, but I'm a little confused.  The Major has had 358 requests for his address in the last 3 months...considerably kazillion more requests than any other contact on here.  Aren't these people sending anything?  And yes, I know he is a site star and deservably so...but I wonder who are these people that are requesting his address...and why anyone would continue to request his address seeing that 358 number and not choose another contact who is receiving little to no support...just curious....

Rosemary

Well Rosemary,

I think his request reflects the fact that his address has changed 2x's in the last 3 month.  He also has 200 men in his unit.  So really, 358 requests are really not that high.  And I also think he's done a few tours and has supporters from them.  Of course, this is my opinion.  His posts are also enjoyable to read and show his sense of humor. He also acknowledges on his posts that he receives a lot of support and thanks everyone.  He is not one of my contacts, but I think I might make him one, as we all have said that you only have to send a letter which any of our soldiers/marines treasure and keeps close to their heart.

I know you call attention to many of the soldiers that have not been requested, do you support those soldiers, or do you only expect others to support them.  I mean no disrespect.  But any of the contacts I request, I support.

Mimi

Mimi Z:

I know you call attention to many of the soldiers that have not been requested, do you support those soldiers, or do you only expect others to support them.  I mean no disrespect.  But any of the contacts I request, I support.

Those comments were totally uncalled for and an absolute insult after the hours I have spent shopping, packing and sending packages to soldiers.  Requesting a contact and bringing attention to them are two entirely different things.  I don't "expect" anybody to do anything.  You needn't worry.  I won't be drawing attention to anyone in the future.  I thgought I was helping out, but I just got slapped in the face for it so I'm done!

I also want to make it clear that I was not disparaging Major Bourland.  My comments were legitimate.  If 385 people are supporting him, that is indeed many times more than most people, any way you want to interpret the numbers.

Wow.......let's take a step back and take A DEEP BREATH!!!!!

I believe the point that Rosemary was making was the amount of support Maj. Pain (B) has with the ratio to his troops.  As we have all talked about........there are units with 900 troops (Victor Baumgarten...and only 57 requests) or (Richard Roe with only 47 requests).   Yes, there might be multiple contacts too for the units.......but the ratio here ......versus the ratio with Maj Pain(B) and his troops was I believe the point she was trying to make.   Remember Mary Noyes......she was a person with a huge number (I believe 800-900).  She was one of my contacts and now she's been dropped (and I no longer hear from her too).   There could be any number of reasons......but it does make me wonder if it was from little support.......as we've seen so many contacts say ("been awhile since we received anything"......or "havent received anything since Christmas".......)    

We all pick our contacts for our own personal reasons............PLEASE   PLEASE   PLEASE.........let's not forget what we are all here for.    I've even had contacts tell me I can support someone else because they receive soooooo much support.   Again...........PLEASE.........FOR OUR TROOPS SAKE........LET'S NOT GET TO BICKERING........REMEMBER....THEY TOOO CAN BE "LOOKING IN ON US" here on the website/forum.

MANY   BLESSINGS TO ALL...............Love and peace................Anne Marie

I suspect that most if not all AS supporters would agree that Major Bourland is a remarkable man who is deserving of plenty of support.  His posts provide humor, wonderful information and lots of pride and heartfelt wishes for his men.  He is an asset to his marines and deserves lots of attention.  I have been tempted to write to him too during his most recent deployment.  These site "celebrities", like Major B, manage to maintain a special relationship with junkies by their posts and emails.   And as a consequence, they tend to get a lot of support. 

That said, I think that Rosemary raises a valid issue.  There are presently only 3 contacts who have more than 200 requests for addresses and he has over 350, more than anyone else.  I grant you that he has 200 men to provide for but we have many others who also supply large numbers, with far fewer requests for their addresses.  A few of them are:

Nathan Witt   48 requests, with 240 people to help

Dawn Lee Young    44 requests, for 360 people

Victor Baumgarten    57 requests, for 900 people

Jermaine Windham   32 requests,   for 210 people  

Now I am NOT saying that anyone should refrain from requesting Major Bourland's address.  Everyone must follow their own heart regarding how they support soldiers and who they support.  This is why the AS program works so well.  If you feel compelled to write, by all means do so.  Even soldiers (or marines!) with large number of address requests sometimes need an extra boost...we all know of warriors who are coping through trying times, such as from losses in battle or troubles at home. 

Personally I used to request every dog handler's address to send them packages and letters.  Ever since the site has started posting the number of address requests, I have backed off on that because they tend to get a disproportionate number of requests, especially considering the numbers they support.  Plenty of others are continuing to support them and if I notice one that has few requests or if the handler is an "old friend" from a previous deployment, then I will get the address.  But now I really try to focus on folks who are getting less support.  I'm very glad that my "dog guys" get so much attention.  I am happy that they are well-supported.  My method is not "right", it is just my way.  I think Rosemary just wanted people to think about the situation. 

 Rosemary,  I appreciate your efforts at drawing attention to the less requested soldiers.  I no longer have time to read all the posts and tend to be overextended in my efforts to support our troops.  But every so often I read your words and am inspired to send out just one more letter or package to someone who may have been overlooked.  Please do not stop calling attention to these folks.  I think you provide a valuable service to the site by taking on this task.

Kathy   

PS  Major Bourland, if you read this, you are a true hero and in no way are these comments directed to you personally.  You are just doing what you do best... supporting your men.  It is an tribute to your personality that you have attained this "star" status on site and it is deserved. 

Mimi & Rosemary I would like to Thank EACH of you:-)

I have been in the Forums for a Very short time compared to alot of you Ladies, but I supported and never signed up for the Forum for quite a while. When I first came to AS there was no forum so now we have a place to talk and communicate ideas, needs, attention needed to certain areas, and above all Our Hearts and Ideas and Actions working in Unison for the Greater Good of our Service members.

Mimi I notice that you get TreatAny Soldier Items out VERY Quickly and attend to the needs of those who have Immediate concerns to take care of, I am not as quick nor can I attend to such things as you do. Thank you I am grateful for that from the bottom of my Heart Mimi, THANK YOU.

Rosemary, your unwavering patience and perseverance at finding those who are in dire straights is EXTREMELY helpful to me as, Although I may not be able to help financially or with fullfilling that direct need they have at that point, I know that your posts and time taken to bring attention to those in need WILL help me in MY Support of our Servicemembers in the future. Truly Rosemary, THANK YOU.

Both of you are coming straight from the Hearts in your desires to Help Support, I see that in your postings as plain as the nose on my face.

We have so many requests being made for addresses but these requesters are not always even plugged into the Forum and the only way we know if they are getting supported is by what the Contacts write in their posts. I certainly do not have the time or patience or have acquired the experience to find these particular posters who are in need of help Immediatly.

I Thank You Ladies for being here in the forum, not just for our Servicemembers and your support of them; but for my own Self-Centered needs of seeking your Experiences, Strength, and Hope. I need you here, I need to hear what you have to say, and I need to see your continued actions. This gives me Hope, helps keep me plodding away when I get no responses or when I have little to give and get depressed.

Love & Hugs, Ladies. Both of you have been an inspiration to me, for ALL you do, THANK YOU:-) Nanc

Rosemary,

I am so sorry for having upset you.  Every person is unique and important in their own way.  Everyone does things in their own way.  You have your way, and I have my way and the most important thing is that these soldiers get support from us.  We have heard that many supporters have a high number of requests, yet when they post again, they say they are getting no support.  So a "junkie alert" goes out for them.  Just as supporters request people who have very few requests.

What I meant when I said Major Bourland has changed his address twice, is that if only 125 people requested him, if he changed his address, they have to request him again and then again, and this in turn reflects in the numbers.  But then again, some people will have only 17 requests and get a tremendous amount of support from their requestors.

I didn't mean any disrespect to you when I posted my opinion, just as you didn't mean any disrespect when you posted yours.  You are a great help in letting every one know who is "sad" or doesn't have enough support.  I'm sorry you thought I slapped you in the face, I didn't mean to, I was just stating my feelings as you stated yours.

Mimi

HI Everybody...I have been silent for a while, but wanted to jump in on this one.  I don't think we can assume because someone has a large amount of requests, they are getting a large amount of support...I have seen many contacts write that they haven't gotten any support for months, yet they have had their address requested as much as 50 times...So with that ratio in mind, someone with 350 request could have as little as 7 supporters, and it might be less if he has moved and had an address change...I even think someone with a high amont of request may be over looked, because everyone will think, they are getting a lot of support or supporters may not continue sending support because they think someone else is...

You all ROCK... for posting the guys that have little requests, when I have extra stuff to send I look there first... and for reading the updates and posting contacts names that might have a lot of requests but still need support...It is the action of all of US that make this effort such a great success and helps to insure no one gets forgotten...so keep doing what you all are doing...

Rosepeddles and Mimi,

I appreciate all your posts and know that you both are being helpful and not intending anything negative. I always look at the number of requests relative to the number in the unit, so that makes sense. I would have skipped over this request if I hadn't read the point about the address changes mean that the same people have to request multiple times. So thank you for discussing these considerations.

(this is supposed to be a hug)

Pat Hodges Furth:

It is the action of all of US that make this effort such a great success and helps to insure no one gets forgotten...so keep doing what you all are doing...

I'm impressed how so many people on the site have jumped-in and found their own niche where they can help everyone.   I have found lots of helpful information on older posts - issues discussed a long time ago.  It helps newcomers find where they can get the most bang for the buck with their efforts.