Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

Someone told me something yesterday that I find hard to believe. I don't know the person very well, but he was talking about his cousin who is turning 20 in Iraq next week. The family asked what they could send him for his birthday. He said batteries. He said he needed batteries to run his night vision goggles. It is very dangerous at night, but to have the capability to see and not be able to because you don't have batteries strikes me as crazy.

He told his family the military is out of batteries and he doesn't know when they will get any. Could this story be true? I can't stop thinking about it.

For the price they charge the military you'd think they would get better and priorty status with the suppliers.

As far as the batteries... I don't know, it possible that there are a few units out there still waiting for supply to catch up with them. Anything can be the reason for it. Suppliers, shipping delays, supply clerks, lost paper work, contracts with suppliers, lack of renewed contract, lack of proper request for them (ie chain of command doesn't know they are out).... (When I was in it was typical for the suppliers to hold up shipment for some odd reason, stores full of them but due to contracts we weren't allowed to buy them from the stores... unless we did it ourselves- no papertrail).

When my husband was in Iraq in Desert Storm... batteries were on the list for care packages because even if they had batteries for their equipment.. many loved to play their walkmen on downtime.

I have a client in Iraq. I think I shall e-mail him and ask him if this story sounds true to him. It makes you feel sick to think that our soldiers who are risking their lives, can't depend on basic supplies. I know there was a controversy about the body armour that they were not providing, but basic batteries....it's just sad.

anyone know of any addresses or addys where one can write to Cheer a Military Personnel??

how about with Thanksgiving right around the corner??

any addresses to send Card of Thanks??

and >>>>>>>>>>


how about for CHRISTMAS CARDS... or ecards?>?>?

any info would be appreciated... I have toys to send to Service Members for the Children of the foreign countries... Dollar Store has plenty of little dolls/trucks that I keep adding to my package.

Any Info on these subjects would be much appreciated. Thank You!

Check these out..
http://www.anysoldier.com/WhatToSend.cfm
http://www.anysoldier.com/WhereToSend/

I think this is a better source.. and possibly more legitimate. The other I noticed had alot of things you can 'buy'...which means it might be sponsored by some of the manufacturers..
http://www.stripes.com/03/mar03/support303.html

When my son was in Iraq I used to send him batteries. They do run out and run down real quick!! BUT, when you send a package over there you have to put on a paper what you send.........

These Military people don't have what we have and they are giving us the best gift of all........FREEDOM.

You can go to the webs that KPW listed. Those are good sites. A couple of years ago when my son was there, my younger son was in a bowling group. I copied some Christmas cards to color and brought them to the bowling alley. I had crayons, markers etc to decorate these. I put them in a package and sent them directly to my son. He gave them out.

I'm sure each and everyone knows someone who has a family member there. You can send these to that person and they will hand them out. It was a great success for us.

Also, some churches have different groups that send care packages.

I for one was greatful go family and friends who sent my son something.......I always added bigger bags of lollypops. The kids in Iraq love these.

MANY THANKS!!