George,

   You are a wonderful man!   Thank you very much for all the information it's a big help already and I just got started reading some of the things you suggested.   Inky thank you too if my friend can't make them, I'll be buying them there, I'm going to send her George's whole posting.   This is a wonderful site, very caring people.  I think you make a big difference in those troops lives.   I happened on the site by accident and am addicted and happy I'm addicted also.  George now I can go clothes shopping tomorrow for the troops.

   I packed another box up tonight for one of my guys in Afghanistan, they get they meals trucked in and that could be cut off to them-they are tower guards.  I've been sending for about a month now I haven't heard back from anyway yet and hopefully I will if they can, if not thats ok too as long as they are safe.

   Thank you all for being who you are-wonderful Americans-I'm learning alot from you so far and sure you can teach me much more.

Mary

I have a lot of friends deployed in Afghanistan right now. I was worried because when I talked to my friend Wednesday night, he said he would call the next day. He always gets to call when he tells me he will, but I haven't heard from him since. I am thankful I atleast got to talk to him on Wednesday, but still. Anyways, if anyone wants to give me addresses, I would be more than willing to send them letters/cards of encouragement and care packages throughout their deployment

Hi!

Sometimes they have a communications blackout when there are casualties. That means all internet and phone service is shut down to prevent any possible info leaks about the incident until the next of kin is notified.

As far as someone to write to, you can go to the search function and type in Afghanistan and that will give you the names of all the contacts AS has in Afghanistan.

Good luck!

Yea you're right. I guess I really wasn't thinking about that. I guess sometimes ya always think the worst ya know? Thanks for the extra information. I will have to check out the contacts. =)

inkydigits:

Jenifer...

If you hear from one of your AFG contacts in the KOP can you please ask them if they can divulge the unit that is replacing them? I realize they may not be able to do this due to security purposes. All of my KOP contacts have expired addresses and I haven't heard from them in a while.

Hi Jen,

Same thing here - haven't heard from any of them in awhile. I've heard from other Afghanistan contacts, but not those from the 2/503rd.

Wow, hot thread. No I really have overlooked that region. I have two Combat Medics (I'm sorry, I am a Medic junkie!)  there I believe, both in the 101st AAD [They changed it from ABN - AirBorNe Division, to Air Assault Division) but that's it. I definitely will adopt a few more because of that article. Thanks!

 Hi Lulu,

The following information is from the "what to send page" 

T-Shirts must be Brown for Army (Tan for the new digital uniform, the 'ACU') and Navy, Green for Marines, Sand for Air Force. If the troops ask for t-shirts but don't specify the color, write to them before you send any and ask them.

I haven't heard back from a couple of my guys there who usually say hello after receiving boxes. I'm guessing they are extremely busy, on blackout, or internet is down.

Here's another good article about what's going on in the region right now. 40% increase in attacks since Jan, more targeting of local progress (destroying schools and government buildings and services) and increasingly complex attacks. Plus refuge in Pakistan for the insurgents. Tough fighting I'm sure.

 

Here's a new article on Marines in southern Afghanistan.

..."The Marines live in harsh conditions, sleeping on the ground amid goat droppings and flies.

The heat and dust are debilitating. There is precious little shade; they cluster under a small tree, changing positions as the sun moves across the sky.

The men wash in a communal well. They survive on bottled water and packaged meals, or MREs. There is no electricity, no plumbing. They burn their waste."

Some of my Army contacts are also in similar conditions in Afghanistan. Quite a far cry from living on a FOB, eh? All our troops deserve support, but these guys really deserve some treats. I've adopted a few more contacts and am sending envelopes full of drink mix packets in between boxes.

I sent several packages to LCDR Pethel earlier and got a really nice, prompt thank you.  I love reading his posts.  The ones who post like he does always draw alot of supporters so I have since started mailing to those with fewer supporters.  Same thing with Major P!  My gosh if all those who requested his address send packages they will be totally overwhelmed.  Wonder if he's set a new record for address requests? 

Anita

Hi, everyone!

Jason Prinster posted for the first time today, he's an Air Force Combat Stress Psychologist (what a job this must be especially in A'stan, especially now...) and notes that he can get things to troops stationed at remote outposts.  Hs lists 400/100 as his numbers... this may be a good way to reach out to troops at multiple locations across this dangerous place...

When i joined up with AnySoldier this past winter, it took me FOREVER to figure out how to select my "prey".  Eventually, i settled on Afghan as my focus, if for no other reason, the winters are wicked cold, and it seemed like there were fewer requests per soldier.  I also tend toward larger groups because it seems like they appear overwhelming and may frighten off some potential supporters with limited resources, such as myself.  But, we are Americans and one thing that sets us aside is that so many individuals will stand up and rise to the occasion, that we ultimately accomplish our goals.  And we may never meet.  But if we do, we feel like we've known each other all our lives.

 Some groups i have been supporting include:

Bruce Anthony (departing 04/2009) 166 soldiers 32 requests at the time he was medivac'd (i'm waiting to hear from his alternate on how to reach him and also how to find out how 1SG Anthony is doing; sending pkgs in the interim anyway)

Joseph Temple (departing 06/2009) 75 soldiers, 21 requests

Paul DerMiner (departing 01/2009) 205 soldiers, 25 requests

Ted Howard (departing 06/2009) 130 soldiers, 31 requests; these guys are really isolated

Joseph Richard (departing 05/2009) 105 soldiers, 21 requests

Barry Moose (departing 07/2009) 125 soldiers, 28 requests

Annette with Bogie Basset, Allie Basset, and Zoe Basset

It was in the news today that the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment has been ordered to stay a month longer in Afghanistan:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080805/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_afghanistan 

I know there are several contacts from the 2/7 on AnyMarine, so I bet they could use a pick-me-up.

Jenifer:

Thanks for posting that. A wonderful AS supporter sent me that link earlier today. I currently have two units with the 2/7; they're in a very rough place. I received an email from one of them today and they finally have a microwave and they could use food, hygiene, dvd movies and magazines.

Thanks again,

Jen

Wow, I hadn't seen that, thanks. My group sent boxes to the 14 contacts I could find in the 24th over the last month to give 'em a boost, and I have one in the 2/7 on tap for my next boxes....and will definitely look for more.