Looks like things are really heating up in A'Stan. Scary stuff. If you have contacts there, this is a good time for a little extra attention.

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Looks like things are really heating up in A'Stan. Scary stuff. If you have contacts there, this is a good time for a little extra attention.

 

Indeed, I do have several contacts in Afghanistan. I just got a request for more guardian angel cards from one of my Marines...done and done! 

My son is there.  His computer service has been disrupted much of the last week.  The phones have not been working either. I did have a small internet chat with him on Sunday, when he wished his dad a Happy Father's Day, but he lost service after about 5 minutes. I know I shouldn't complain as there are others who have no way to communicate except through the mail, which is a long time wait. He did tell us that his area hadn't been affected by the prison break, at least not at that time, although he is quite a ways from Kandahar (a couple hours helo ride over the mountains).

Looks like the insurgents are really getting busy, taking over towns and bombing bridges in preparation for battles near Kandahar. So our troops around there are really going to need extra support. I hope some others will also send a little extra love to some Afghanistan contacts. Several of my contacts there have mentioned that they feel forgotten, like all attention goes to Iraq.

PatrioticLady - Your angel cards are a great idea! I've thought about that but don't have a laminator. I'm guessing you laminate them. I think I read a description in another thread and they sound nice.

CptDansMom - Thanks for mentioning that internet hasn't been working. I haven't heard from two of my contacts who normally email and am guessing that might be the case there. I hope you hear from your son again soon.

Even if you don't have a laminator a simple option which is possible, is to get the clear sticky plastic available from a craft store and cut 2 pieces a bit (1/4") larger than the piece to be "laminated" and sandwich the card/note/picture/whatever in the middle.  It will provide lots of protection if not a true lamination.  I wouldn't use this on a one-of-a kind irreplaceable photo, but would make a copy to do it with.  Does that make sense?

Scary. :( I have had four different contacts in Afghanistan, all have dropped off...  I've got to reach out to someone new, for sure. 

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PatrioticLady - Your angel cards are a great idea! I've thought about that but don't have a laminator. I'm guessing you laminate them. I think I read a description in another thread and they sound nice.

Yes, I laminate them. I have access to a laminator at work. I run them on card stock; they print 10 guardian angels per sheet; then I laminate and cut them out, and they're ready to go. I am going to send a copy to EmpressFrancis so she can make and send some to her peeps; if you'd like I can send you a copy as well. I don't mind sharing; it's for our kids! My hubby says "What will you do if someone steals your idea and makes money with it?" I say in response "then I hope they can look at themselves in the mirror every day." The more guardian angel cards we get sent to our men and women in uniform, the better!! (Of course, he also can't understand why I feel compelled to donate blood every eight weeks, and platelets every three weeks...if it were closer to home, I'd probably donate platelets more frequently, but I have to drive to Nashville, and the process itself takes two hours...the Red Cross is always grateful to have me there, so guess I'll stick with my schedule. LOL!) Just send me a PM if you want me to mail you a "master copy" that you can use for your own guardian angel cards. And EmpressFrancis has a good idea about the clear contact paper for "laminating." That would work very well. 

I heard from my son this afternoon.  He said that the last couple of days had been  'busy ones'.  I think sometimes he is a master of understatement.  He wanted us to know that everything was alright where he is located.  Thank you for your prayers and words of concern.  Please Keep praying, we know it works!

They also sell self-laminator sheets, which are pretty much the same as the sticky plastic, it might be a touch heavier.  I have seen it at Sam's or Costco by the box and smaller packages at various stores.

CptDan'sMom:

I heard from my son this afternoon.  He said that the last couple of days had been  'busy ones'.  I think sometimes he is a master of understatement.  He wanted us to know that everything was alright where he is located.  Thank you for your prayers and words of concern.  Please Keep praying, we know it works!

Way back when my girls were in pre-school, one of my parent volunteer jobs was to laminate pictures using contact paper. Instead of cutting the plastic for each picture individually, they told me to peel off a sheet, place the pictures on it (face down so any wrinkles would be on the back?), cover with a second sheet, and then cut out the pictures. The tricky part is getting the second sheet down evenly. But it goes much faster. Hope this helps. Mellie

Since as I mentioned above that I no longer have any active contacts in Afghanistan, I just went and did a little research (because heaven forbid I actually WORK... LOL) that I thought I would share here, in case anyone else is looking for a new A'stan contact.  Keep in mind I only had time to look through Army, and since there are hundreds and hundreds, I only looked at the ones with larger # served (I've totalled up male and female) but a lower number of requests.  But it's a start!  (I'm sure many of these are covered in the "Overlooked Contacts" thread as well-they rock in that thread!  But I'll put them here anyway since it's directly related to the topic :o)

SCF Carlos Rentas, expected to leave 6/30/09: currently has 12 requests for 125 Soldiers

Sgt Billy Ray, expected to leave 3/09: currently has 8 requests for 60 Soldiers

1Sgt Barry Moose, expected to leave 7/09: currently has 18 requests for 125 Soldiers

Cpt. Cheila Matthews, expected to leave 7/09: currently has 19 requests for 112 Soldiers

SSG Christopher Kurz, expected to leave 2/09: currently has 9 requests for 105 Soldiers

Andrew Kemp, expected to leave 4/09: currently has 18 requests for 675!!! Soldiers

Cpt Kathryn Fleming, expected to leave 6/09: currently has 16 requests for 120 Soldiers

Brian Carnahan, expected to leave 4/09: currenty has 41 requests for 110 Soldiers (not as low as some, but still...)

This next pair is fun/interesting: the first is the Chaplain, and the next is his Assistant , so there is probably overlap but it's still a great support opportunity with a variety of needs!

Cpt William Draper (Chaplain), expected to leave 2/28/09: currently has 9 requests for 160 Soldiers

SPC Cloyd Rodkey (Assistant Chaplain to Cpt Draper), expected to leave 3/09: currently has 11 requests for 350 Soldiers

Thanks for all the tips on laminating the manual way. I forgot about that option.

Very helpful, Kristen! I pick up people from the Overlooked thread, but you have to check each name to see their details. It's nice of you to gather a list of Overlooked in Afghanistan'ers.

Check out some of the contacts at anysailor.com

LCDR Pethel has had some good postings and needs stuff for the patrols coming back from outposts as well as for the humanitarian missions they are doing. Astan is getting to be quite a place these days in terms of the challenges the forces are dealing with.

LCDR Pethel does have fantastic posts - great reading. He has also had very large number of address requests compared to most that I've seen, and seems to be getting a good amount of support. I try to go for those who aren't already getting lots of requests. I will add him to my list of "read only" names.  :)