Author Topic: How do you send gifts to troops in IRAQ? (Read 341 times)

Drifter1234 · « **on:** December 02, 2003, 04:03:24 PM »

My children have decided that they are going to make up Christmas packages to send to the troops in Iraq.

Anyone know where they need to be sent so they can be distributed to random soldiers?

Any help with this would be appreciated.

Drftr

Hawklore · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2003, 05:10:45 PM »

I'd go with looking up a local military base and asking the C/O there.. If you have the guts to do that..

I sure don't..

Magic · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2003, 06:18:31 PM »

Programs that allowed the general public to send mail addressed to "Any Service Member" were cancelled more than a year ago.

For more info goto:Tips for Mailing US Troops in Iraq War Zone

Drifter1234 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2003, 06:51:42 PM »

Thanks Magic,

That really stinks, dissapointing in what our world has become because of a small group of zealots.

Will look for other ways to support our troops.

Drftr

-Concho- · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2003, 06:55:02 PM »

mebe the red cross can help

BGBMAW · « **Reply #5 on:** December 02, 2003, 07:09:33 PM »

http://www.kintera.org/site/pp.asp?c=iuLVI3OXH&b=12838

try that..its the USO..good people

Sandman · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2003, 12:35:44 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hawklore
I'd go with looking up a local military base and asking the C/O there.. If you have the guts to do that..

I sure don't..

He's a man. He puts his pants on the same way you do. Call his secretary and request an appointment. I'll bet you a month's subscription to AH that he'll be delighted.

Tumor · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2003, 01:23:46 AM »

Drifter..

Try this:

http://www.centcom.mil

Check with Public Affairs, they should be able to help. Otherwise, I will do what I can to dig up a unit or two you could send to. Would be best to send to the CO or 1st Sgt and let them decide who should be the recipient.

Ton's of stuff got sent over to CENTCOM Forward back when... I helped put ton's of it on pallets destined for boots in country.

Email me at qatar_rat@yahoo.com if you need any more help.

Chairboy · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2003, 02:07:18 AM »

If you want to do something that really makes a difference, go to http://lbeh.org and contribute some money towards buying plane tickets home for soldiers for the holidays.

It's Ernie from Ernie's House of Whoop-Ass. He did the same thing last year and raised over $30,000 and sent 94 servicemen home for X-mas.

mrblack · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2003, 02:19:06 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Chairboy
If you want to do something that really makes a difference, go to http://lbeh.org and contribute some money towards buying plane tickets home for soldiers for the holidays.

It's Ernie from Ernie's House of Whoop-Ass. He did the same thing last year and raised over $30,000 and sent 94 servicemen home for X-mas.

Now thats a Dam shame Our people have to buy there own way home!!
Thats BULLCHIT:mad:

Get them On a military transport of somekind.
Hell I used to catch free rides all the time.

Geezus that Is really sad as hell.

Chairboy · « **Reply #10 on:** December 03, 2003, 02:34:58 AM »

From lbeh.org:

Quote

Q. Can't military personnel fly for free on military planes?

A. Space-Available travel (or Space-A for short) is a program started way back in the 1970's when the military had lots of open bases around the country and around the globe. Each day hundreds of flights with thousands of seats were flying virtually everywhere. But during the 1990's 60% of the military bases in the United States were closed, along with 50% of our overseas bases. To compound matters, fundings for training is the first to go after budget cuts, that means training flights are one of the first "luxuries" to disappear, and with them all the extra seats that would be available to space-a travellers. So now we have less seats on less flights, and those travelling on official business or those on emergency leave are given the highest priority. The lowly (and lesser paid) enlisted personnel trying to visit their familes will be prioritized last, even though they're the ones that can least afford to purchase a commercial plane ticket. So yes, while a recruiter will gladly tell you you can fly anywhere for free, realisticially it's just not a viable option for our younger troops.

mrblack · « **Reply #11 on:** December 03, 2003, 02:43:34 AM »

Like I said sad.
but then again most enlisted mens families are on food stamps now anyway.
So im not suprised.

wklink · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2003, 06:38:53 AM »

They will fly you to a certain point. I myself came home from Kuwait on leave (was basically told to stay home from there so I didn't have to come back) using Space A travel and got to Ft. Hood Texas. I went from Ft. Hood to Olympia Washington from there. I probably could have made it from Hood to home using Space A but I didn't want to wait any longer.

Donating to the travel for troops is a good idea. Another thing is to write to airlines encouraging them to 'adopt a soldier' coming home on midtour. Airlines have thousands of seats left open each week, many could be given away to returning troops on midtours or at least sold at reduced prices. I payed 350 dollars to fly from DFW to SEATAC. It didn't bother me so much, I'm a Captain in the US Army but to a private (I started out as one BTW) that is a lot of money.

Raubvogel · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2003, 08:01:52 AM »

If anyone is serious, I know loads of people deployed over there that would enjoy a Xmas package I'm sure.