SPC Young, My, you have a way with words! I also am tearing up reading your post. I found this site after my own son joined the army March 2006. When I went to his graduation ceremony I was so impressed with all the young men and their parents but was also saddened that many had no family support. The army was their family! I was surprised when my son enlisted at age 22 but it seems to be a good decision for him. What would I do for my child? The answer is EVERYTHING possible. You are America's children and I will do whatever I can to show that you are loved and cared for. It is the very least I can do and it is an honor. Your son will grow up bragging about his daddy and will be very proud , Just as I am proud of my son and all of our military. Come home safely Matt and thank you for your wisdom and guidance to your buddies in the sandbox. Diane

SPC Young, THANK YOU!!!!  It is clear that you feel called to your work, that you have a deep love and devotion to our country... you are an extraordinary person.  (And look at your beautiful family!!!!)  We will never have the words to express to you how much your service and your sacrifice mean to us, but you should know that the tears are flowing on both ends.  No one ever *wants* a war or a tragedy of any kind, but as we've seen so many times in this young century, such times often bring out the very best in us, and as Americans, we've seen these trials reveal the Shining Stars that are our Military Heroes.  And you truly SHINE.

With gratitude, Kristen

Dear SPC Young,

I confess I peeked at your MySpace page and your son is a real cutie!!  What a joy!!!  I am not as eloquent as you or Diane or Kristen, but I second their emotions and thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You are a true American and a wonderful gift to our country.

Stay safe until you come home.

Vicki
 

 All too often I find myself on AnySoldier, perusing the forums, answering random threads and trying to help in any way possible. Not only is it self-gratifying to know I've helped someone helping another Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine, but it somehow fills a void in one's heart that sometimes you don't realize something is missing until you are this far apart from family, friends and civilization. What I am saying is this: it is only in part to you that I can say Thank You For All You Do And For Who You Are, because without you I could not help any of these Soldiers either.

I have had the chance to speak with many Soldiers lately about some of the items they need that the PX is constantly out of stock of because of the amount of Soldiers the Commissary has to provide for, not including the influx of a new unit coming in. I decided to take some time and make a list of the top 3 items males and females here in my unit can use right now, so here it is....

1. Pens. That's right ladies and gentlemen, I said pens. If they have a clip so they don't fall out of our uniforms and get lost, that would be super! That's why we always need more :( You could also include paper, stationary or note cards for us to write letters back. I especially try hard to write a handwritten letter to anyone that sends a care package, card or letter whether I know them or not :)

2. Shaving Cream

3. Mach 3 Razor Refills. As you know, we have to shave every day and for all the soldiers in my company, 97% are males, so that is a lot of shaving. After the first shave of a new razor 25% of the sharpness of that razor is gone! (Just a small fact) I'm sure the females would greatly appreciate some TLC in this area as well, too :)

And remember, a handwritten letter (or even a typed one) from whoever, especially the sender of the care package, is always good to keep morale and spirits high. I especially love to see them!! Colored pictures from your kids, whatever it is, throw it in there, we love to see them!!We put all kinds of pictures, letters and drawings up on our doors, walls, lockers, etc!!

I firmly believe that this dilemma is not only unique to my area of Iraq, but to areas all over here and Afghanistan especially those without PXs and those without the ability to access them often.

Also, from now on I will be updating a list to be featured on my signature including the names of all the friendly folks that have sent care packages this way! Check my signature on this message to see some of them now, your name may be on there! It is called Support 4 Soldiers

If you have any questions about anything, whether it is what is the new raving Xbox game or what color and size of underwear should I buy him/her, what gloves should I get per US Army Regulations, please send it my way :) Ask it on this thread, I am always checking it :) You can even send me a message on here too, that way if others are asking I can post what is needed on the forum :)

I hope this helps

I thank you for your time, love and undying devotion in which you follow where your heart leads you...

Greetings from Raleigh, NC!!

I might be a bit late, but my gratitude is sincere! I cannot tell you and your fellow Soldiers how much I appreciate your service. Funny, I have been struggling to find a new group to "select" lol to send stuff too.. I have a pile of stuff at home,-- maybe I could spoil you all just a bit? --

and yes! I do have a question.. .what if I don't have enough  for everyone? I always try to send enough of one item for all, but if I don't , are you guys ok with that (hey it might sound dumb, but I would rather do it right! :)

 Also, I have some cooling scarves (ties) that my unit last year said worked great, and so I ordered some more this year and ha! they are getting ready to come home (thank goodness-- hey I need to change my avitar-- so I will do that after this post)- do you think you all could use them? I know it is hotter than you know what over there and they may not work miracles, but maybe it will help?

We all wish we could help every single Soldier, Marine, Sailor and Airman over there, but we know we cannot. You'd think it would be easy just to select someone and wa- la-- but often, we struggle because we want to be sure you all know that what we send is with care and love. So, thank each and every one of them over there for us! And thank you for your generous offer to help us out and "teach us"   We all care so very much, and we all are grateful beyond words

 Take care- stay safe and God Bless

Lynn

Matt--

You rock!  Thanks for the explanation about the razors.  I thought it was all a bunch of hooey having grown up in an all-female household.  I didn't know you had to shave every day!!!  I guess I just thought you did it for inspections or such, particularly since there is so much blowing dust/sand and relatively little water.  It never occurred to me that all those photos of the fresh-faced young men in uniform were fresh-faced because they shaved!  DUH!  LOL  How much we take for granted!  Anyway, from now on, as much as my budget will allow, when I send razors it will be Mach 3!  And, better quality pens.  You humble me, sir!  Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your life with us.  We are grateful for that and most especially your service and sacrifices.  May God always hold you safely in the palm of His hand.

Debbie

I thought I should let you all know that I have updated my "Where To Send" page for all you that already have my address or would like it.  It includes some information about my location, what we do everyday and some pictures for you all :)

 Hope you like it.  I will be updating quite often and will always put new pictures up!

Sorry for the late reply, been quite busy as you imagined.  I was just looking over the thread again and noticed that I hadn't answered it!

If you don't have enough for everybody, we will make do as that is what we do.  It is always the thought that counts (honestly) and the Soldiers know that.  It is not the what is inside the package that counts, it's the knowing that somebody is thinking about you back home and sliding your fingers across the cardboard box, reading the address and knowing somebody cares about you.  It is what makes your heart beat a little faster and what brings tears to your eyes...

I have a friend that used to live in Raleigh and have been thinking about moving there myself sooner or later :)

Cooling ties/scarves always go quick and are ALWAYS welcome, as is anything.

Matt,

I moved to Raleigh after I ETS'd and I've been here ever since.  It's a great place, very family friendly, and the job and housing markets here have stayed pretty strong.  If you ever want to come and take a look, give me a shout; the hubby and I will be happy to put you up and show you around.

Sam

Matt,

Please tell your men that we enjoy sending the packages as much as they enjoy receiving them!

Of course, I think that our men and women serving should have everything they need from the military. I should never have to see someone here asking for toilet paper for their unit, or towels for wounded soldiers, or scrubs for the operating room. Barring that, I am so proud to see everyone stepping up and sending things that are needed! Nothing is worse than a bunch of people sitting around saying, "Isn't that sad? Someone should do something!"

One person here said they'd like to give a care package to every one of the troops, and I think that sentiment is shared by just about everybody.

I have all my "goodies" found on sale lined up on the kitchen table like little soldiers: rows of sunscreen, body washes, deodorants, shave gels, shampoos, etc. Then I have stacks of food (some junk, some healthy, some salty, some sweet) and bags of towels, sheets, and clothing items.

I stand before them like an artist before her palette. I power up my laptop, lay out the boxes, and build care packages based on what my contacts (which I rotate) say they need. If a box doesn't come out "right," I take everything out and build a different one. I even color-coordinate; I've been building "sleep packs" lately with a set of sheets, a pillowcase, a towel, a pair of pajamas, and slippers.

Then I write a handwritten, personal note and seal up the box. When I have enough for a "P.O." run, I pray over the boxes that God will get them into the hands of those that need them the most. When I load them into my trunk, I feel like Santa Claus on the night before Christmas.

Every service person should have a comfortable bed, comfortable dry feet, and enough healthy food and treats and hygiene products to feel fresh and secure, to concentrate on their work. There is nothing I want more than to log in some day and see row after row of contacts saying, "We have enough!"

God bless you and keep you safe!

Boston Blonde

I agree that I think the military should provide all necessities to the Soldiers, but it is not soon after you join that you find out what the reality of the situation is.  Even though some things are "provided" you realize that what is provided is poor quality and you need something a little better to get through the day.  Like the socks that they used to provide when I first joined were 100% wool.  Each time they were washed they would shrink more and more and soon they wouldn't fit.  Plus they are quite uncomfortable and you just don't want to deal with those things when you are on a mission in the jungle, it's raining and you are about to assault an area!

Matt,

Perhaps you can answer for me...  Do you anticipate that there will be mail delivery today (4th) there for you and your troops?

BTW, if you go to Raleigh, NC also take a tour up in the mountains near Asheville & Waynesville....Soooo pretty up there.

Debbie

Haha, I was sure I just responded to this thread, but no problem.

I would hope the military would do it, but honestly I have no idea and would say no...but I have no clue.