Hi Amy and Donna! yay! I'm glad you posted that, no worms here! The very power of this site is in our numbers, our thoughts and prayers. It is about the support, not the stuff. Every single person and every single letter sent means so much. When i first started supporting guys in the Valley about two years ago, i lurked this thread for months before i posted to it. What u posted will touch a lot of people who read but don't post for the same reason and I'm so glad you said it because now we can say, absolutely yes what you do is sooooo important. Especially if you're able to sustain it. We're going into the holidays and a lot of people come out to support the troops in the winter months, but in early spring, if you're still there sending a card even, it means so so much. Korengal guys may seem to get overwhelming support because of the momentum of the thread, but their needs are overwhelming so don't be put off by that please! There are guys all over out there with great needs too, Amy like the one's you've supported on the "overlooked contacts" thread and of course the 6/4. You can impact a lot of contacts in such a great way with Operation Cocoa Hug!

Sometimes i send a lot, like going into winter, but not all the time. Often i will send a puffy envelope with a card, a package of beef jerky or a movie or something of the sorts. It costs about $10 to fill and mail it. Hot Chocolate is an awesome thing to send!! If someone reading isn't sure what to send specifically, u can search Korengal or Vegas on the search page in the address line, pick one guy and go by his post. Jimmy Howell is the contact in the Korengal who can reach the most soldiers. About this time in the deployment, it's clear to them who doesn't have a whole lot of support from home. I'm sure he would be thrilled to have some cards for them. Be sure to put your email addr in the note! 

Hope that helps and I'm so glad you posted Shelly

Amy and Shelly,

 Thanks for the kind words.  Back when this thread started, I picked up a few Korengal contacts.  I do continue to send to them what I can - letters and small packages.  I have sent a lot of coffee (a friend and her husband own a business and donated coffee and supplies for me to send).  I rarely post, because I figure my meager offerings don't mean much.  For this reason I tend to avoid big group projects.  The one time I tried to join one, I was made to feel that way.  That being said, I do continue with the support that I can do and I hope somewhere, some how it helps someone.

Amy, you have a great perspective and I will proudly stand on the sidelines with you and cheer on the efforts of others while we continue to do what we can.

-Donna

Amy,

I am with you, I unfortunately don't have too much time and not near enough money but you gave me a good idea, one pack of hot chocolate with one of my cards from the card swap for each of the guys. I can get swiss miss at the dollar store (not expired of course) so that is only 6 - 7 boxes of hot chocolate. I can do that!

 Angela

Hello everyone, just wanted to stop in and wish everyone a good week.  I seen posts about not able to do "too much". Let me tell ya ladies and gentlemen...ANYTHING you do, whether its a postcard, letter, hot chocolate or a huge box full of goodies, it goes far beyond words of thanks for the soldiers and their families. I remember when Michael first got to the Korengal I wasn't able to hear from him the first 6 1/2 weeks because they had no commo. When I first got his phone call of course I was over joyed. However as the 15 months dragged on and he was able to email me of all the kind words, pictures, drawings, and packages he received from AnySoldier I felt even more overjoyed.  I can tell you from a wifes experience, knowing that other people are able to maybe pick up some slack on things you can't give is so wonderful.  Here in Italy things are limited at our tiny PX, but the things that came from all over the US to the KOP definetly made up for it.  Michael passed everything he was given down to the soldier who replaced him and hoped the new guy enjoyed and cherished it as much as he did.  So since I'm rambling on, I just mainly wanted to say "NO GIFT, WORDS, THOUGHTS, OR PRAYERS ARE EVER TO SMALL."  Everything ever sent to a soldier and his/her family is a gift that will touch them for the rest of their lives.  I am still in contact with alot of people who supported the 173rd at the KOP and they will always remain in my heart...always.

Ideas for the holidays.....for those of you who want/can send a big box. I sent a Christmas dinner box that the boys loved. My hubby had 9 soldiers under him so I sent 10 of each::: hot cocoa, apple cider, Danty Moore Turkey and Gravy, a box of instant mashed potatoes, 4 cans of Corn and Green Beans, crackers, and the microwavable Duncan Hines desserts.  Michael said that the guys loved it.  The guys already had pots and pans of some sort so I just sent along a measuring cup (for potatoes) and plastic silverware and plates.  Just an idea. The girls and I aslo did 9 stockings (we got at the thrift store) and used glitter paint to add their individual names to them. We stuffed them with a magazine, cider, hot cocoa, tea bag, single coffee bag (Folgers, Michael LOVED those), candy canes, Chips Ahoy individual bags, beef jerkey, ramen noodles, and a card made by the girls.

I'm not sure if I'll be back on soon or not. We are planning our first trip back home in 2 1/2 years in December so we are busy trying to make sure everything goes as planned.  We are all so excited, I can't wait to see my parents and grandmother again.  Take care everyone and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and all of yours!

Angela 

DonnaC:

I rarely post, because I figure my meager offerings don't mean much

That's not true! Everyone's offerings do MEAN alot, especially to the soldiers. My biggest thank you's have been for a simple card. Most of the guys are just grateful to be remembered and thanked by a fellow American who cares.

Do what YOU can. I send pkges when I can afford to, funny cards when I can't fill a box. And I have made all my family members and friends aware that I ALWAYS accept donations. I've learned to ignore the "Are you STILL doing that troop support thing" questions, and just go merrily on my way. I refuse to argue politics and the war with busybodies who question my efforts. Don't let ANYONE make you feel bad. I take quiet pride in knowing that I am doing more to support the troops than just displaying a bumper sticker. And I only answer to myself.  

Hugs,

Joanne

OPERATION COCOA HUG!!  I just LOVE that!  How perfect!!!  Hmm...why do I get a mental picture of a big, furry bear (like the Charmin bears), wearing a camo uniform, holding a piping hot mug of cocoa with the initials AS on the side of the mug?  Anyone else see it too??  LOL

Ladies, if you feel more comfortable on the sidelines, then I support you 100%.  Just as long as you take to heart what has already been posted by some really neat people here, that everything we each do makes a difference.  This isn't a contest to see who can do the most.  We all have our own, personal reasons why we are jumping into this insanity.  I call it insanity because it IS work.  But as I keep calling it, it's my "love job."  And the insanity part, at least for me, is finding out how much arm twisting really does have to take place sometimes to do this love job.  Here you two are, thinking you're not doing enough, & yet I watch people who have just overfilled their bellies on mexican food walk by my donation container & not even drop a penny.  It just infuriates me.  But hey, I like a challenge.  So you keep doing what you're doing.  I'm so proud of each of us...even myself.

Now, has anybody noticed that Bob DeWater is MIA?  I haven't seen him post in a long while.  I hope all is well for him.  Bob, if you're reading this....SAY SOMETHING!!  We miss you!

Ok, I'm off to lunch & to check the donation cans.  Wish me luck that some millionaire came a long & left a huge check.  yeah, right...as IF.

Hello ladies!!!  What an inspiration...

HOT COCOA HUGS  

  (I know it's coffee, but they didn't have mugs  lol)

Beautiful.

If anyone can cut and paste some of these sentiments over to the 6-4 CAV thread, the supporters that just read that thread would benefit greatly from these words and ideas...

http://forum.anysoldier.com/forums/t/8175.aspx?PageIndex=10

It would be soooooo appreciated!!!     Thank you, Kaylynn

Gotta new question...

Do we have a running list, such as the one Marilyn has got for the CAV, for our Korengal guys?  I'm particularly interested in the ones that have 15 or less requests.  When I go to the AS & search, I get a listing for all of them, both our guys, the CAV & probably a few other units I don't know about.  I wish I could help them all, but I can't so I need to focus on the most needy at the moment.

Anybody got any answers for me?  I'd appreciate it.

Hi Marilyn, did you gang?

oh   oh   oh   oh, duz this mean we're kinda like a state side posse  ??     ehehe

I've started a small project that hopefully will develope,  I am trying to work with a local stone ware / novelty dish / mug manufacturer about bulk mugs.

My design was simple, all black mug, army star, and below it   "heros all"

And since im am partial to the vipers   ie: me youngin  have vipers on it as well, could be custom for other units as well,

Wudda ya think ?

Bob

p.s.  there, i posted, are ya all happy now.........geesh!      lol

Dang it, anudder typo...............who knew

ment to say before     "did you say gang"

my im bad, i mean my bad     hhehehhe

1Lt Glenn W. Burkey just posted today with 40 unit members from FT Hood. Sounds as if they could really use some assistance.

  Is there a restriction on the package size Chaplain Cooper can receive???  Its not going to be refrigerator size, lol, but much bigger than a FRB.  I am trying to get the Company to ship APO. They said they can, but its extra paperwork.  I agreed and said its for a good cause. Also told them I would be placing more orders.

  So, what is the largest size package someone has sent over?  

 Thanks

Amy

BTrattler:

1Lt Glenn W. Burkey just posted today with 40 unit members from FT Hood. Sounds as if they could really use some assistance.

Lt Burkey is the platoon leader for 1st plt at Restrepo- the firebase featured on the NBC reports.

Joanne

Found this link to pictures from Korengal Valley....

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/11/afghanistans_korengal_valley.html

cwmom98:

Gotta new question...

Do we have a running list, such as the one Marilyn has got for the CAV, for our Korengal guys?  I'm particularly interested in the ones that have 15 or less requests.  When I go to the AS & search, I get a listing for all of them, both our guys, the CAV & probably a few other units I don't know about.  I wish I could help them all, but I can't so I need to focus on the most needy at the moment.

Anybody got any answers for me?  I'd appreciate it.

Ummmmmmm -- did somebody say LIST????   Here you go

As always -- please add anyone I didn't catch on this first go-round!  (NOTE:  edited to reflect Joanne's/LongIslandGirl's additions)

Love,
--Marilyn