Good thoughts.    And on the holiday cards.    The COPS farthar out are becoming more established, and will be having more people soon (from my mouth to God's (you know who) ears).     They are learning to set up for the guys coming in to replace them.    So holiday cards are always a good send.    think of the guys coming in finding Father's day cards right there on the COP to send back right away.    What a good start.    And birthday cards to send to their families, right there.    Anything you send is never wasted.    Well, never purposely wasted.   If not needed it is passed on to those that can use them.    What some are doing, is as room allows, setting up mini (emphasis) on the mini PX's, but they do not have to pay.    These are AMERICA supports.    Remember, ANYsoldier.    No good thing done for these guys is wasted.     We have all been told the stories about something we sent for one purpose, and it winding up being used for more things that we never dreamed.   A small blanket sent to a soldier, that he gave up to a child who had NOTHING, whose mother was so thankful, she sent her son/husband to tell the good people at the COP of some guys who were up to no good.  That soldier will survive to come home to the warmth of his family.  You will never look at the stacks of colored throws on the end of a WalMart shelf the same again.     And I guess you have heard of the cuts that the pentagon was ordered to find Friday to cut from their budget.     AnySoldier will allow the Americans to step up for the soldiers, marines, AF, sailors, and coasties.

I doubt highly that anyone would post specific FOB names that take longer delivery times. So if you DO know, it might be better to send personal notes re: this info.

Generic cards are great, but even delivered late I've heard how much the cards cheer up the guys, after the Holidays.

Logistically, my hunch is mail may be slower for some time after the new folks move in. At least until they figure out the new systems, work out kinks, etc.

But THANK GOD for those new Soldiers moving in. Woo hoo! ;)

--KLM

There is no denying that mail reaching our Heroes in A-stan is a frustrating thing....especially so for the more remote areas that receive only by air drop. Last year some of my packages took as long as 5 months for delivery--and I only used FRBs to send to KOP hoping that they would make it faster. I had one package that I mailed in February returned to me in September as undeliverable. That was especially disheartening.

On the other hand, I received a letter a couple of weeks ago from a young man. He was feeling a little down right before Christmas. He went over to where they house items received from supporters. (They have a "take as  you need" kind of PX set up.) He saw a stack of cards & letters lying there and decided to take one and see what it said. He happened to pick up one of my 4th of July cards. I cried thinking that he had to read my summer and parades and picnic references at Christmas time. But the heartfelt note he wrote telling how much it meant to read that someone knows he is there, "gets it", cares and thanks him for his service reminded me that they deal with the "time warp" a whole lot better than we do.

It all works out somehow. That is one of the most amazing thing about AnySoldier. My suggestion...be sure to mark "Sender's Instructions in Case of Nondelivery" on the customs form (block 17) with "give to any local Chaplain" or "Addressee's Commander" as Marty and company recommend. And seal with prayers...

 Thanks for all the feedback.  I do appreciate hearing from you all!  I do ALWAYS use the FRB to mail stuff in to Afghanistan.  I guess I will get back to sending our packages.  I did tell the girlfriend that I was sure SOMEBODY was surely enjoying what we had sent.  LOL  I always send plenty to share around with the guys.

Hi CJW, I sent your son a birthday box too, don't know if it's arrived or not.

I've been sending to so many firebases and keeping myself confused about who needs what since I don't hear from them and try to glean what I can from posts here, so I am going back to sending from this point on to the Ex. Officer for 6-4 that took Joshua's place and he repacks boxes for what each group needs and sends it up the mtn to the guys.  I just had an e-mail from him and he said they could use everything on my list, and added washboards so the guys can get their clothes cleaner! I'll make sure to include some lotion for their hands!  Poor guys, hope they have a way to at least warm the water.

Anita

Hi all-hope everyone is recovered from the Super Bowl parties...

FYI on shipping: The Korengal Outpost received a large amount of mail around 1/24/09 (first time since right after Christmas), pkges I had mailed on at the end of December, 1/2/09 and 1/6/09 were received (and none of them were FRB).

Firebase Vegas received mail by helo around 1/28/09 -however it was hit or miss which pkges made it through on the sling load-one box mailed 1/5/09 and 1/13/09 (!!! that was fast) were delivered, yet boxes shipped together on the same day didn't make it out there yet.

All the pkges were mailed in regular plain boxes shipped first class. However, I did ship a rather large box by parcel post at the end of November that is missing in action so far. I knew I should have divided into smaller boxes, but i was lazy! Ugh. Maybe it will show up before they leave!

On another note, the guys with 1st Platoon say they are overwhelmed with mail from December still (Burkey, Adams, Young, Newcomb)  3rd Platoon @Vegas (Kane, Calvert, Graddick, Longakit) could use some more food, keep your fingers crossed they keep getting regular mail and resupply drops. Halase is still 2nd Plt and Moffit is the NCOIC-in case you want to spread the Girl Scout cookies around to different groups.

Some of the guys have been coming and going on leave, so if you haven't heard anything, be patient. They may not be there right now to get there mail.

Hope is well with everyone!! Praying for Spring in NY!!

Joanne 

My husband is in 6-4 CAV, but the info I offered about mail applies to the whole area. 1-26 IN and 6-4 CAV are both up there, similar problems with mail.

--KLM

MomAnita:

.....I just had an e-mail from him and he said they could use everything on my list, and added washboards so the guys can get their clothes cleaner!

Anita

Don't forget about about the Columus Washboard Co. Here is the link to the washboard discussion a long while back....http://forum.anysoldier.com/forums/p/446/4084.aspx#4084

Bonnie

Hi Anita - could you remind me of the name of this contact who canre-distribute things?

Longakit posted today and needs food.

I'll request his name and send a box of food tomorrow. And send them prayers.

Hey Anita,

I believe it was the one that went down about 1 1/2 weeks ago at the KOP. All but one warrior didn't make it. I think it was announced on an earlier post.

Angela

CosmoGirl:

Longakit posted today and needs food.

Hi,

I was able to confirm that the helicopter that went down did NOT have any mail on it. Mail to Vegas has been slow though, due to less helo deliveries to the firebase. 

Longakit also posted photos @ Vegas

Joanne