STL:

LT!!! Thanks so much for posting and communicating with us! It helps us so much to have good ideas what's best and helpful to send. Well, and it's a lil like Elvis has entered the building too haha We're awfully proud of you guys and appreciate so much what you do. Keeping y'all in our thoughts and prayers. Shelly

Yeah!!! What Shelly said !!!

Hi, LT -- Welcome to the Forum

--Marilyn

I have a box ready for Lt Fender. It has some canned microwave meals, gatorade/energy/wylers drink mixes, granola bars, and gummy bears. The washbard kit was ordered today as well.  There is a second box for Fender with toothpase and toothbrushes and toothbrush holders and some floss pics too.  Enough for the number of contacts he listed.  It filled the box!

Bagged everything with liquid or paste as recommended!  Hopefully nothing leaks and they will be able to reuse those freezer storage bags.

The washboard company confirmed the shipment of the kit to Fender. 

OK, the kids found something on clearance they want to send, it is a remote control spider.  It is small and takes up very little room.  One for them, one for the soldiers...how can you look at a 3YO and a 6YO and argue with that? 

I can add it and batteries to a box with laundry soap, clothes pins, a clothesline, baby wipes, bug spray, air freshener and playing cards.  The kids think it is cool and the guys would have fun.  They are having fun picking out things and helping pack the boxes.  If this is an OK thing to send, I can get the box out tomorrow.  If not, I will repack and use the leftover space for something else.

I will be back at work on regular shifts tomorrow from my recent injury.  Hopefully lots of down time in the evening to sew and sew and sew pillow cases.  I have several kinds of fabric, John Deere seasons, fishing, trout fishing, hot peppers, sharks, beach type theme and a cartoonish pirate theme with sharks swimming.  Any other suggestions?  Cards?  Vegas?  Baseball?This should get me started.  Hopefully by my next care package mailing, I will have enough to fill a flat rate box or two.  Maybe with a few cool ties thrown in too. 

I'm sending another 90 tuna packets off to Missman tommorrow. $6.00 at Albertson's.  Sale ends tonight. 

One spider won't hurt.  LOL    Tell them it's to befriend the camel spiders.    

They are going to be so excited with the pillowcases.   And the ties?    Sounds like time for a fashion show to me.    You rock.

Hello Lt Bettis! Glad to see you on the forums!! A word of caution, do not put your address on here, we can request it from the AS site and it's safer for you that way as this is an open forum. 

We are proud to support you and appreciate all that you do for us in serving our country...you do not have to repay us, my goodness you are already giving so much of yourself, this is a way for us to thank you and show you how much we love you guys. It's our honor to be able to support you, and we also thank Marty and crew for providing us a means to do so.

You guys ROCK!! You're the best!!

fireftnchick,

I read through quickly, but wanted to suggest that you not make the cool ties out of the colorful fabric, since those would be like part of their uniforms, and anything that has to be laundered needs to be of colorfast colors, and particularly not contain a lot of reds due to possibility of fading and turning their white socks pink.  Many of them request dark colors for bedding, etc. so that they aren't easily stained.  Keep in mind that sometimes and in some places, their laundry is done with no detergent at all, and things look grungy really fast if they contain lots of white or very pale colors.

They will treasure your gifts, I am sure.

 I posted this on 6-4 CAV, but some of you might have supported the 6-4 CAV, too.   one of our AS contacts was awarded the bronze star yesterday.   I thought you might like to see Josh's picture and the ceremony.   I was not there.  They stood out in 106 temperature.

 http://haolewahine.vox.com/library/post/raider-day-6-4-cav.html

I am shocked and sadded. Spc. Gregory J. Missman was killed on the 8th. 

Our sincerest condolences to his squad and his family.

My deepest sympathy.  His family and fellow soldiers will be remembered in our prayers.

My heart breaks for his family and battle buddies.

There will NEVER be a good time to get such horrific news.  To Greg's family, I am very deeply sorry for your loss. I wish there were words to ease your pain, but there just isn't, other than for the short time that we got to share with your Greg, he made us all smile, laugh, & looking forward to beginning a new year of loving support for his brothers in arms.  I promise you that his passing will not be in vain.  This is all the more reason that I choose to continue my mission, & I don't care who's arms I have to twist to do it.  I feel no doubt that all the volunteers here on AnySoldier feel the same way.  You & Greg will be in my heart always.

 cwmom98, I will use your note as a reply to get this info out to everyone.  There will be a memorial in country for Greg July 14, Afghanistan time.   I will not print the time or place, but remember to add an extra prayer for Greg's company, tonight.   God knows the company details and place.  Greg's company commander is taking it very hard.  "They all performed heroically when in contact."  We all grieve Greg's loss, but I can still read Greg's giving heart in his posts, here, and his emails.  He touched so many.  His death was well spent.  Freedom is not free. 

AND now we all carry on, knowing WE WILL NEVER FORGET.  And we will use his example to keep our spirits up when we are too tired to pack that one last box, too busy to remind others we are at war.  We, too will spend Greg's death well.

Received a very heartfelt email from Lt Robert Hull whose father is one of our forum members. He mention that some of our guys from the 173rd are back in the area with the 4ID. Also wrote " It's like Christmas  comes twice a month ( if we are lucky) in the form of aerial resupply that might have some mail on it." Dave, what a nice young man you raised, you must be beyond proud.

Diane