Hello Mimi, blix, Ruth and Dan,

This is where we are at with ACOGs - not such a good place.  I have decided that I will return your donations and redirect my efforts to other tactical gear for our soldiers.  Here are the reasons:

1.  The cost is about $841.50 plus tax, mounting accessories... (we knew that, though)
2.  The sites I have contacted have said there is a 2-3 month lead time before shipping. 
3.  At best, we would only be able to send them to just a few soldiers.
4.  Once in Afghanistan, we cannot even be sure if they would reach the hands of the intended, or how long it would take!
5.  It is the opinion of some very good sources that these kind of scopes are used by special forces, Rangers and such. They almost certainly have ACOGs already.

Good news ~ The new President of Pakistan, Zardari, seems to be cooperating with our forces and allowing our military more access to Al Qaeda strongholds in Pakistan.  On Monday, one of the leaders of Al Qaeda, Abu Haris, was killed in Pakistan along with others.   It seems that we have special op units in A'stan that will be able to do more now! 

President Bush said that 4,500 more troops will be set to Afghanistan.  That will mean a lot more contacts that will need plate carriers, watches, GPS units, fleece hats, hand warmers, electric blankets, warm gloves, boots, and the list never ends!  I think that they said there will be many Marine troops going there.  On a side note - it is a good thing that the Marine Corps will be supplying plate carriers for some or all? Marines in A'stan

So, please send me your addresses so that I can send a check back to all of you!

I would love to hear your opinions.  If anyone cares to keep trying on the ACOGs, let us know!!!

Kaylynn

Hey Kaylynn,

My opinion, Kaylynn, is to take the donated money I gave you and buy House Raffle tickets for AnySoldier in the name of your children.  You have to be in it to win it, and AnySoldier needs the donations.  The money is yours to do with what you like.  If you have any left over, use for packages for your contacts.

Love to you and your kids,

Mimi

Dear, sweet Mimi,

Your heart is so warm and caring!  You know that every penny of your extremely generous donation will go to these guys up in the mountains of Afghanistan, and to keep this incredible organization alive and well.

I am getting ready for the winter.  When you think about the lead time for sellers to send to us (or even to APOs) and then for the packages to find their way to our men -  we're already talking October.  With their elevation, these guys are going to be very cold, very soon...

I searched for hand warmers and the best buy I've found is on Amazon.  They sell boxes of 40 pairs of toe/ hand warmers and it comes out to less than $1 each.  Then there are Wigwam or Merino type boot socks, helmet liner beanie hats,  gloves, electric blankets, etc.  This is on top of our initial requests for tactical gear...

Mimi, just a thought, but would you want to send me some "Dear Soldiers" letters or cards, so I can put them in the care packages?

Thank you again,

Kaylynn

Thank you so much, blix! 

I will buy a plate carrier in your name...  Would you like to send one or more cards/letters to these young men?  I can send them for you if you have not requested their addresses.  Please, let me know which soldier you would like to receive the tactical gear.  They are all listed in the "plate carrier" thread.

With love and gratitude,

Kaylynn

Hi,

I think you should just spend the money on some other equipment for the guys. That would be fine with me. I'm not good at writing letters, either. The most I can ever think of to say is just stay safe and know that we are praying for your safety.

Ruth

Hey Ruth,

I agree with you on sending a letter or card to Kaylynn.  By the time I get the letter written and mailed across the country.......you could have had the packages made, sent out, and gotten a reply.......

Kaylynn, I think you should have your kids write a little note and send it in the package.  I am sure the Soldiers or Marines would love to hear from your boys.....

Love,

Mimi

Hello Ladies!

You have me giggling right now!!  I know I talk about my boys a lot (cuz I love them so much!!! ), but they are 14, 16 and 18 years old now.  Yep, three teenagers.  I am 5'4" and they are all 6' and over!!  They are really wonderful, beautiful sons, and I will probably always call them "my boys"...

However, imagine a letter to one of "my" soldiers.  I don't usually say much about myself or family when I first write to them, but when I sign off it seems strange to say something like ~ 

With our thoughts, prayers and love,
Kaylynn and the young men

LOL - Now Mimi, I know you know what I'm thinking!!  It kind of sounds like I have a harem of young men going on over here!  It's almost as bad as calling someone "my boyfriend" at my age!  Of course, it would be fun to say ~

Kaylynn and her F-I-I-I-N-E Hunks!!!   

Anyway, if you could, will you e-mail me a couple of sentences for these guys and also whatever name you want to use.  Maybe you want to give them an address or e-mail to write (if they get the time!).  Or you can attach a picture and I'll print it out.  Blix, thank you for choosing your soldier for the plate carrier!  I'll keep in close touch with all of you...

With love to you young women,
Kaylynn

Ooops, I forgot - my boys do e-mail and sometimes chat with our soldiers via myspace.com.  They have sent sketches, too.  I'll e-mail you a couple of pics, if you would like... Kaylynn

Hello Kaylynn,

You may use the donation I sent as you see fit. I have sent warm clothing to the troops in A-stan from

www.sierratraders.com 

I want to remain a part of Team Kaylynn

Dan

Yeah Kaylynn,

He wants to be one of the "FINE" Hunks, which he proves over and over with his generosity.

Scoooooby,

I love your doggie.  It's so good to hear from you.

Mimi

Hi Kaylynn,

How about signing Kaylynn and sons or Kaylynn and 6' sons or Kaylynn and my three sons or Kaylynn and my three hunky sons, or Kaylynn and my three fine sons.  

 Ha-ha, how fun!

Can't wait to meet you and the three young hunks.

Vicki 

Hello to all!

Scubadogbones - thank you so much for your donation to Team Kaylynn.  You're the only  FINE hunk of a man with all of these woman. You lucky guy!! 

Vicki ~ I think I'm gonna stay with "Kaylynn and the boys", even when they're 46, 48 and 50!!

Good news, I got a very long e-mail from 2LT Mario Barrett TODAY!!   He fully understood that there are too many things that he calls his "kids" (even though 75% of him are older) need very much.  He thanked us for the research [on OGs] and for all of our thoughts and support.

Following is the last paragraph that Barrett wrote.  I would post more of his very interesting post, but not sure about all of the OpSec stuff:

"It is a very comforting feeling to know that people like you all exist
back home, filled with support and love.  That feeling will take you a
lot further than I would have ever imagined.  Please keep supporting
and praying for us.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to
ask.  Thank you very much again for everything you do.  Take care and
God Bless."

I encouraged him to go ahead and let us know whatever is needed, giving him examples of other things the soldiers have requested.  He did say he gets mail every week and he and his platoon Sgt, take it back to be shared among his outposts.

He asked for:
Razors - Note:  I got an unbelievable price on Gillete fusion razors, deodorant, shave cream and body wash PLUS a 10% discount on everything I bought for the soldiers from Walmart.  So, I am sending 30 razors and some refill cartridges Monday.
Boot socks - black, green or tan.  Says the Army issued wool socks are good and inexpensive
T-shirts - Tan, size L,  he is asking for the Army issued type.

Does anyone know where we can get current "ARMY issued" things like this?

Another short paragraph from Barrett's post:

"Anything extra you want to send will be used.  Candy, gum, trail mix,
body wash...anything.  I feel guilty even asking for anything due to
the price it costs families back home."

So, there we ARE!!!  Contact with one more Contact!!!

I will include this in the plate carrier thread, too.

Kaylynn

I haven't tried T-shirts yet, but the wool/cotton blend boot socks that US Cav and several other places describe as *Army Issue* are essentially disposables (fortunately, they're priced that way).  If you're going to wear them for a week or two straight and then burn them, they're great, but they don't wash well and have to be line dried.  They shrink like crazy in the dryer even under low heat.

SmartWool Light Hiking socks have been requested by some of my contacts previously. They're comfortable, long lasting, retain their shape and line-dry much faster than a wool/cotton blend. They do not shrink in the dryer.  The best price I've found on these is at Outdoors & More http://www.outmore.com/smarlighikso.html.  It's 3 pair for $30 and free shipping for orders over $100, so I buy a dozen at a time and try to slip a pair or two in each hygiene package.  They only ship UPS.   NOTE: these do not come in black, green or tan but do come in Taupe, which is a light brown that looks pretty much like dirt.  You might want to ask if these are acceptable.