Phillis, Thanks so much for the link - what a marvelous story that we junkies can certainly relate to. It opens up information about another way we can all help even after our wallets tell us to slow down.  

I love this thread and I love saying thank you to vets. Yesterday at Wal-Mart an elderly gentleman with a Navy hat was sitting down waiting for his daughter to finish shopping. I nodded at his hat and said: ''Thank you for your service.'' as you all have described. His eyes twinkled and he said it was nice to be appreciated. Knowing he was ...

I don't believe Maj. Andrew Olmsted had ever posted on Any Soldier, but I found his farewell blog incredibly moving. He had written it to be published in the event of his death, which came from small-arms fire on Jan. 3.  It can be found on andrewolmsted.com or rockymountainnews.com, where the newspaper has a lot of tear-producing coverage.

Lani, I agree that it's worth sending them, but if you feel awkward about the potential low-quality supply, include in your accompanying letter exactly how you got them. You can even joke about now knowing anything about cigars. If true aficionados, they'll know not to expect the good stuff, but will still appreciate your generosity and that of ...

As a journalist and an support junkie, I really appreciate the heads-up to this amazing story. I also saw the author on CNN yesterday, but wasn't sure when the story would be available. It's a powerful piece of reporting and I wish there were more examples like it to remind this country what's going on and what's at stake.

I read about AS in a letter to the editor in the Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier. Someone was sick of all the complaining between the anti-war and pro-war letter-writers and suggested doing something practical instead of whining. The letter provided the Web site address and I checked it out immediately. The rest is history.

Welcome Chrissy, Hopefully you've encouraged your brother and friends to explore whether their units or platoons already are represented here for support requests.  

Wow is right. For those who don't read the whole thing, how's this graph grab ya? We could memorize it and reply to all who ask why we are supporters with the following: 4th Platoon has been through a lot these last almost 7-months. When we had losses you shared in our pain, and when we laughed you helped us laugh harder. You see THAT is the ...

Add my voice to the chorus praising this thread. I love sending brand new sheets because it's easy to fit in an FRB and generates the best thank-you letters. There's room to toss in a few hygiene items like body wash, foot powder, deodorant or dental stuff. The most time-consuming, but ultimately worthwhile box I ever packed was filled with ...

You're right Pamela, That post makes me want to fill up a big box with sox, gloves, blankets, cocoa, coffee and a hug. Even though he's had 47 requests, he and his platoon are in a remote location and probably can use everything they get. I like it when people point out particularly poignant posts (how's that for alliterative?) for those days ...