Troops in the Middle East, Part 3

Here is part 3 of our wonderful Christmas project...now comes the time when our soldiers RECEIVE the gifts we have sent.

I think we all believe that it is truely "better to give than to receive"! Jo

Here is the old thread..or Part 2. Jo

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/472423/

roadrunner.......My package went out to soldier Tyre . I also went to the Any soldier website and picked out 3 more to send out....I made a total of 4 boxes.....Ya gotta love that flate rate box....such a deal!! Once box I made up was for a "Girl Soldier" and noted it......I also wrote letters for each of the boxes, telling the troops how we Americans are supporting their efforts, and are very apprecative of what they are doing for us.

My boxes weighed about 9 lbs each, give or take a few ounces, go figure that one as other then the girl soldier box they all had the same amount of stuff in there. I send each of them a throw away camera with a mailer envelope to send it back to their familes to develope, Witting pads, Evelopes, Chapsticks Life Savers, Gum, Hard Candy, Skittles, Pop Tarts, Hot Chocolate, AA Batteries, Granola Bars, M&M 's, Dot's, Pens, Pencils,
I cut each of them a CD of Toby Keith's CD called UNLEASHED, which has that song they all love....Courtesy of the Red White and Blue. I know I stuck more stuff in there, can't remember for the life of me now...But in my letter to each of them I included pictures of my husband and myself, my dogs, even my two Mallard ducks I call "The Webster's". I also included a self addressed stamped envelope for them to reply to me when they get the package to let me know they received it. In the girl soldier box, I put some hair products in there, like Pony Tail bands, scrunchies, clips, and I even put in Tampons....Oh, and anti bacterial hand wipes. They asked me at the post office if the hand wipes had alcohol in it, and I just said no.....Does anyone know if it does.....but my post office went over my customs list pretty good....as I had to write next to the hand wipes, no alcolol......

When I get an answer I will let ya all know....What a great feeling to do something like this.....but we must keep this up....I intend to keep this up with the soldiers I have sent to. Maybe send them a package every month or so....

Deann

Woohoo, got an email from my penpal Nesbitt!! His dad gave me his email addy, and i emailed with just a quick "Hi". Here is his reply:

Hey there! Yes ma’am. I just finished writing a letter and dropped it into our Community Activity Center (an even bigger tent than the ones we live in) to get mailed out whenever the next shipment was going out. So be expecting a letter from me… oh, within somewhere around a month. The outgoing mail here is terrible, while the incoming is pretty decent. Go figure eh? J But yes, this is my email and You can just write to me here if you prefer. Thanks a bunch for the package and letter. Was downright nice of you to do so. Me and my friends (who helped me eat the cookies) appreciate your support for us over here. Happy holidays and a safe Christmas!

I have to tell ya, this is one of the best things i've done in a long time. Someone mentioned that it had awakened the Christmas Spirit. Personally, i can say yes it did.

Jen

Love it !

You must feel extra special today Jen :)

Tears here!! How wonderful. No Scrooges here! Jo

I've heard from my first soldier!

He's sent a picture along with a very nice note.
Enjoy! and Merry Christmas!

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Rose,
Thank you so much for the package! I can really use everything you sent. I really appreciate the support you have for not only me and the men and woman I am currently serving with here, but also all my brothers in arms across the middle east.

To tell you alittle about myself; I am 21yrs. Old, I joined the Air Force when I was 17yrs. old on June 11, 2001. I was stationed in Korea for 1 year and then got stationed at Patrick AFB, FL. Where I have been for the past 2 years. In those 2 years at Parick I have deployed to Saudi Arabi, Iraq and now to my current location where I have been here since Sept. and wont be coming home until sometime in March. I just got engaged on Mother's Day this past spring to my high school sweetheart and we have our wedding all planned out for June 25 of 2005 (basically 2 months after I get home) I don’t even get to help that much with the planning. She's great though, she is in College right now finishing up her last year in Nuclear Medicine with a GPA of 3.8, plus doing all of the wedding arrangements. Once I get out in 2 years I will become a deputy sheriff in Florida. I like to listen to country music and go to the gym, that’s about it besides playing basketball. Well I better be going thanks again for the treats and hope to hear from you again via email. I attached a picture or two of me that was taken in a couple of days ago. Thanks again..



Joshua Armour SrA. USAF




This message was edited Dec 18, 2004 6:23 PM

Look up 'Heart Warming' in your funk-n-wagnel and you'll see a picture of this thread!!

Thanks for sharing Melody!!

Now that is the truth 8ftbed :) I just looked it up !

And I just gotta add, he's so proud of his bride to be :)

Thanks so much Melody for sharing this !!

AND...he's a handsome dude too! LOL Jo

Just had a thought - is this a closed forum, for members only? If not, should be be careful about posting names with pics and addys? (just being a worry wort here.....)

It's great to see that the packages are arriving so soon. I really didn't think they would get there before Christmas. I wish I would have included my email address with them all. I think I did with the last one, but not the rest.

my nephew is in Iraq and I just sent him a big pkg courtesy of the 'flat rate boxes' - he wanted mountain dew, candy bars, and junk food. I did the candy, junk food, and added some powdered drinks (no mountain dew!!) I was surprised how detailed the postmaster wanted. I thought I could just write food items - he said NO- had to list the food. I took a guess as to what I included. How long did it take for your boxes to make it over there to the person you sent them to?

Kooger...it's not a closed forum, but the hyperlink I put in is on the second post...so it won't show to non-subscribers. If ya'll all think it should be moved, we can start a new thread in Parking Lot. Jo

I am still waiting to be taken to jail. My postman was not concerned at all with what I wrote as for contents and neither was I! I just couldn't remember it all and there was too little room on the form anyway. I just sure hope there was no pig in my sticks and no alcohol in my wipes.

I think that Joshua Armour sounds like a real doll and I sure will add him to my prayers to get him home to that great life he has all planned with his sweetheart.

I just got this in the mail. Thought you all might love it as much as I did!

A Christmas Poem for All Americans

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't to near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!"

"Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light,
Then he sighed and he said, "It's really all right,
I'm out here by choice. ~I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,
And now it's my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white and blue. . . an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home,

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother
who stand at the front against any and all,
to ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.

So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all to little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone.
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled
is payment enough, and with that we will trust.
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Very touching! Jo

Nobody but subscribers can see past the first post. Non-subscribers can see the first message, but nothing else.

I'm going back and editing out his address anyway.

I'm already planning my next package!!! Having a blast!

Jo,
Arent ALL men in uniform handsome??? I wonder if Bill can still fit in to his retirement dress, lol.
This has been great to see this whole thing unfold, and now were hearing from them, which just makes it so real!!!
Kell, we'll come bail you out if they come looking for you : )
Jen

Today my I was working in my greenhouse and DH hollered out I had a phone call. It was from Airman Nagel, one of the two soldiers we sent packages. He is from Chicago and has four months to go before he can come home. And he is only 18 years old. He could not talk long and I was almost speechless. After we hung up I thought of all the things I wanted to say. lol DH had some friends over and my brother was here. They ran in and listened. Grown men had tears in their eyes. He said the packages were making a big difference in the morale in his company It was so cool and such a surprise.

Great, Shaddowgirl....I just wish I knew if my 3 (or any of them) made it to my soldiers.

At the post office when I had to fill out the form I just put "gifts", and the lady took it. I hope it didn't get searched and side tracked!

Wonderful sharing. RR, I am with you; was not very specific at all and they took it....Really would like it to get to Ms Finn-in good time and intact.

When did you mail? Mine went out last Saturday so I imagine they are working hard to get them to the troops. I sent one box priority and one parcel post. Don't know for sure if hegot both of them. My customs form was not specific to contents so I don't think you will have a problem there. I bet you will hear something soon.

Mel...was your message from Joshua email? Snail mail? (Am still trying to figger out how fast mail travels back and forth.

I'm crossing my fingers that my packages go thru...I just listed my contents as "snack food, candy, pens, paper"....postmaster said that was fine. However, sometimes I wonder if I shoulda checked the box that says "return if undeliverable". Then I would'a known for sure if it arrived or not. Live and learn.

Edited to say THANKS MEL for posting the words from Joshua. That was very comforting and rewarding reading to me! Really great to be hearing the reports from our adopted folks overseas!

This message was edited Dec 19, 2004 12:01 AM

I sent my packages on the 8th....I heard from Joshua via e-mail on the 18th.

The way I understand the military mail system, the priority mail gets your package to the American base where it is then turned over to the military...your postage is to get it there...then the military takes it overseas.

My package contents list was very general. I listed, snacks, personal items, toys and candy. I guestimated the numbers of things and my postmaster just asked if I had and pork, alcohol or pictures of Jesus.

It helps that I mail stuff all the time from there and mail overseas to family members often....I keep customs forms at home.

My postmaster is a Vietnam Vet and when I explained what we were doing , tears came to his eyes and he thanked me. He said he had a good tour , and nothing bad happened to him in Vietnam, but there were so many more who still have problems. He was thrilled to be able to take my packages.

They have never asked me about Jesus!!! I remember when i sent the superbowl party over, there were some pretty risky posters of the Miller and Bud Girls...i just listed them as posters.
I've probably, accidentally put in pork products. In the 1 1/2 years hes been there, not one box has been opened. Not saying the next one won't but i think they know that if its going to a service member that the intentions are good. I do believe that the packages are kept in US hands from our po to the mail handlers over there.

US military mail does not leave the US system.
From your post office to the military post office on either coast.
Then it's in the military postal system and each branch of service has their own job rating that trains and works specifically with mail. That is their specialty. They are the military counterpart of your mail carrier except in the military they have to learn the entire job. Not just delivery or sorting. They handle everything from stamps to claims to insurance to receipt and delivery and are governed by the rules and regulations of the United States Postal Service. There may be local restrictions applied according to the location.

I have a question................why can't we sent pork products??? Why can't we send a picture of Jesus???? Is it because of them being in a Mouslin country??? They even asked me if the hand wipes I was sending had alchol in them.....what's with that?

Deann

yes, that is the reason why. Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol or worship Jesus. :)

The young soldier I talked to told me his wife sent him Pork Rinds all the time, as he loved them...and never got repremanded. Jo

Confusing, isn't it. I've read it depends on location and who's working. ???

location, location location
I had already made 3 box mailing trips to 2 different p.o.'s in IL using the little green customs form. Then in that little office in Saginaw MI (with 3 more boxes in my arms) I got sent to the back of a long line to fill out the big white customs forms.

I could be wrong but if you read back over this thread, it seems the more rural the post office, the closer they try sticking to the letter of the law.
I generalized on everything I sent as well and was never questioned.

You could drive 5 mph over the speed limit everyday, on the same street for a year and suddenly a get a ticket when a new officer is on that beat. Down in Mayport FL I knew it was technically illegal to fish off the piers (this was on the Naval base). I did it anyway since it was a crap shoot on who had duty or who was in a bad mood. 95% of the time, security would hang around and chat for awhile while watching the action. Then once in awhile I'd be ran off by someone feeling 10 feet tall and iron clad... or p.o.'d because they had duty or domestic problems and misery loves company.

the local post office in my area gave me two different kinds of custom's forms to use:

1. for a pkg over 4 lbs. USPS Customs Declaration and dispatch Note -CP 72 [white form], it is otherwise known as PS from 2976-A

2. for pkg under 4 lbs. USPS Customs -CN22 [green form] - aka PS form 2976

i did not have any problem, shipping the pkgs. i sent out Dec.8. hth

No one is more "rural" than my PO...they know me by my voice when I call...and I can get my rural carrier to bring me boxes the SAME DAY! They let me say "gifts". (They're also slow!) LOL Jo

Posted on another thread on the 14th:

Brugie
Chariton, IA
Zone 5a
Dec 14, 2004
2:46 PM



My soldier penpal has received his package and wrote me today. I'm going to share his note with you all. I sent lots of jerky, beef sticks, trail mix, chocolates, and some personal items that were on a list I saw.

Dear Shirley,

Thank you very much for the holiday package. I really enjoyed all of the snacks and I shared them with my friend on post. I really appreciate your holiday spirit. All of us here at Al Dhafra Air Base are doing well and staying safe. My wife and child are home in Bellevue, Nebraska. My wife has told me that she also has gotten some snow already and that they are doing just fine.
We are all over here doing the job we chose to do and knowing that we are all contributing to keeping our families safe and helping another country gain their freedom.
Shirley, I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and safe and wonderful New Year!


Sincerely,

Michael Mohn
380th ESFS/SFOA

That is so nice Brugie. Sounds like such a nice guy. Must be so hard to be away from your family at Christmas. I sure hope the families have enough finacial support for a great Christmas for the kids.

Not a photo of this project, but our other one of providing popcorn and movies, etc. to the troops. Bernie just sent me these 2 photos :)

and the other one

AWWW How nice!! Jo

Wow Dea, what a great thing you did. Lets them relax for a little bit and recharge. I really am so affected by having our guys all so far from home. I listen to the news with such sadness.