...to send to our troops in Afghanistan. No money, just any things like DVD's, music, magazines or regional specialties or novelties to make their lives a little more enjoyable.
I'll take care of shipping it. PM me for address.

Got one!

Make that two!

Three! Remember, it doesn't have to be new. These guys don't have much and everything is new to them.

Five!

Pat is there a timeline you're looking to meet? I'm away from home until next week-

Nope, I suspect that once I've committed myself, I'll probably never stop. I can't promise that I won't have to inspect any nasty magazines that I suspect of possible immoral content though.

pm me where..

See your little flaggy thingy flashing by "My Stuff"?

I've lost count now. Any one of you to which I sent my address, feel free to give it to anybody you trust that would like to contribute.

there a couple of lads that I ship a package to each month. Toothpaste, Anti Monkey Butt powder, playing cards, jerky, candy, batteries.............

They also love to get pens, crayons, and other things they can give to the local kids.

Non-perishable food items okay?

Thanks for doing this!

Hoop

I know that our troops can rest well knowing that you have their six. What a guy!

My union wants to pick up the shipping cost! I'm feeling really good about this.

Sure, especially stuff indigenous to a particular area.

Thank you Sam. All good ideas too. Anything they can't get in the middle of nowhere. Apparently DVD's and such are very popular.

i hear tell that good boot socks are also appreciated. i will see what i can round up Pat.

AA batteries, Powdered Gatorade & Crystal lite powder in bulk are some favorites also small & medium zip-loc bags to carry it in out in the field. This time of year the chem hand & foot warmers go over well, NOT the electric or lighter fluid kind.

Seriously here now, NO naked pictures, porno stories or booze, it will get them in DEEP KIMCHE!

I want to emphasize that you don't need to spend money on this, just your heart. Homemade jerky, old DVDs, CDs,...

The things we take for granted are the things that these guys miss most.

Pat,
Hit up some co-workers, should have a good mix of magazines, and books. Aside from my staples of hotrod and gun mags. Figuring on throwing in other stuff as well. Will probably get it out to you Thursdayish...

Thanks Thomas, I've got about 10, or so, pledges to send stuff. When I get as much as I can send at one time, I'll take a pic of the stuff and post it and hopefully we'll get word from RAS when they receive it. Thanks again.

It will come as no surprise to anybody that Mickey Coleman was the first to stand up.

No surprise. I already send stuff.

Our township fire department does that also. It is amazing the amount and variety of stuff we get.

Don't know if helps, but we are lucky enough to have a place will deliver it, and it doesn't cost us anything to get it shipped overseas.

Best of luck to you with this!

I know you do, I do too, but my other packages go to Japan. Lots of folks don't know where to start, so I just figured I'd make it easy on 'em!

I used to send stuff often before my cousins all retired from the Marine Corps.
This is great way to get back into doing it again.

Pat, my wife has a great idea..she is the organist at our church and knows the parish would help out with Movie DVD's and such.. PM me with your address...I'm sure "ET" will vouch for my credibility

Pat, how's the TIMELINE on this look. I'm gathering, and can Mail tomorrow.

That on track ?

GTC

P.S. just rang off with Brett Boyd,....he'll be sending stuff your way from York, S.C.

cheers,

GTC

^

Pat the box will go out tomorrow.
Got a few DVDs of random movies and comedians, some skydiving magazines, some music magazine, car and gun mags, and might score some candy or such as well.

PM sent

PM sent

Sorry for the delay in answering all the PM's guys, I took off a couple of days to go huntin'. Deer season is over for me!

Lotta flotsam comes across the internet, including the Fire. But it is more than balanced out by enterprises like Pat's initiative.

I was not smart enough to think of this, but it is no surprise that Pat was. Good on 'ya Pat.

Steve

Pat, There's a "Medium Flat Rate Box",.....11 Lb. 6.8 Oz., headed your way from Hereford Az. today.

Packed full of "High End" Shooting Mags.

Semper Coonass

GTC

Great initiative Pat! Our son in law has 2 tours under his belt over there and the things he liked most was canned foods (ravioli, spaghetti,) and instant mashed potato packets. Stuff to make bottled water tastier like mentioned before was also high on the list and anything media related. We do a package drive monthly thru the Legion Post here and people really support it. Good luck with your endeavor. We'll see what we can get coming your way.

Scott

Thanks all, nothing really on my part. RAS gave me the place to send stuff, which the hardest part. Like I said earlier, the police department wants to pick up shipping, so all I have to do is have fun and feal good.

PM me your mailing info. and I'll get a large flat rate box of goodies out within the next few days...

Gonna check out the video's at St. Vincents tomorrow and try to get something headed your way Pat. I had a GREAT turn out from the 'fire back in 2006. One guy even sent a bunch of homemade jerky including Goose that went over big time with my nephews unit.

I can't imagine what it's like to be 7000 miles from home, family and friends, wondering every minute whether you will ever see any of them again. I know you can.

The guys and gals over there are doing an incredible service to our country, and the world, even if it is not recognized either by our own people, or the rest of the world.

We have opinions on what they are doing. They have their lives on the line. Big difference.

God bless them, and keep them from harm.

Steve

Big +1.

you kill anything? I'm hoping my daughter will get some brown down Saturday....our rut is in slow motion.

you may need a dolly for my box...damn sciatic nerve went nuts when I lifted it in the Burb, so I used a dolly at the office. UPS guy was giving me the evil eye.

Pat, shoot me a PM with the address.

Alan

I'm the committee chair for The Wounded Warrior/Veterans committee for SCI in the DC area. We also receive a lot of donations from NRA for the troops. We shipped about 600lbs. to a Army unit in Afghanistan that arrived prior to Christmas. We will be making another shipment in a few months. If someone has the address of a marine unit serving in Afghanistan please PM me. We ship either to the commanding officer or chaplin so that those most in need get priority. It is a great thing you & others on the Fire are doing for our troops. Since I'm in the DC area I see first hand the horrible damage done to our fighting men & women. We have a retired marine that visits Walter Reed almost every month giving magazines & other donations to the WWs. We also have taken a number of WWs on hunting trips. If anyone chooses to furnish the name, APO, & choice of magazine of deployed men & women I will process a NRA membership. May all of our men & women defending our country have a safe New Year.

And "tbear" many thanks for all you're doing back there.Bunches of really good people doin some really good things here at present!!

I haven't even been here a year yet but have met so many great guys/gals who I hope will let me call friends!!It's truly an honor getting to know you!!! ... Woody

I'm in, Pat. PM sent.

Pat;
Don't know who the hell you are, but drinks are on me if we ever meet.
.
Anything for home was GOLD.
.
PM the address.
Thanks

Hey Rick! Thanks for making this a sticky. It deserves to be at the top.

Pat inbound PM and a huge thanks with my goods to ship your way.

Need ship to:?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

David

dang I near missed this, I usually turn a blind eye to the sticky topics.


Kudos on you Pat, we have a local group here that does the same gig.


it's a wonderful time of year to be remembering our troops and letting them know by our actions they're not forgotten.

bless all you guys for participating.

Pat shoot me a PM with addie and I will get box of gun mags. on their way
. Boss lady has been after me to clean them up and this will be a perfect cause. happy New Year NC

Pat, package # 1 is now incoming.

Thank you for doing this. I'm humbled.

L

Yes, Thank you Rick! The latest from RAS is this is the stuff that the guys really want/need.



Hard candy.
Nuts.
Hot chocolate.
Coffee.
Hand warmers.
DVDs of hunting or fishing.
Hunting and fishing magazines.

Pat,thanks for the list this really will help us out on this end...........Woody

Jet me your addy Pat....

Pat,

I don't have any mags or dvds but have tons of books if that fits the bill?

RAS said that anything is appreciated.

Twice yesterday,Pat, your name came up in conversations in a most complimentary way. First with my son and then with Steve. You're good people,Pat. It's a pleasure to know you!

Did my name come up?

Not this time but if a fantastic BBQ rub would have been a topic of conversation, your name would come up for certain.

Why, thank you Bob. (Even if you are an introvert.)

What's a fella got to do to get and address. Previously
requested with no response. Help as I want to help having spent
9 yrs. in service myself. Cheers NC

I am so sorry, I must have missed it. PM incoming.

Pat,
Let me know when it arrives.
I will send more when I get some put together.
Thanks for doing this buddy.
Tom

I got 5 pacakages today, AK, Sierra Vista, Corpus Christi and two unmarked.

Sierra Vista would be Crossfire I reckon, and I stuck a note in our from the boy and I.

I'll open them in a bit and let you know.

Sounds like you got the package. Double check those dvd cases Pat and make sure I put the dvd's in them, I forgot to check them before I sent them out.

Will do, Thank you!

Got it...we LOVED the note. They grow too fast.

The eclectic tastes of our members is going to really make the young men and women happy.

Mine went out this A.M. priority mail

Speaking of eclectic.

I'll see if I cann't get something together in the next day or so. PM send for shiping address

More outbound from Sierra Vista later this week.....

Semper Coonass !

GTC

If you're scratching your head about the anonymous box that had rags ranging from Field and Stream from the early 80s to New England Game and Fish from the 90s to recent Wildfowl issues, as well as an oddball mix of DVDs...




Looking into maybe getting a bulk/library rate. Stand by for more incoming, Lt., please.

These Marines are gonna get everything from Tejano to Rap, Hotrod to Blackpowder...

Excellent!
Glad it got there.
Should have another to send perhaps next week.

Box incoming, Pat

Having been on the receiving end of some of this type stuff, it really is appreciated!

Shoot me a PM I've got some John Wayne movies and will get some pogey bait to ship to you.

Mike

Question for you folks that have BTDT, I remember seein' pictures of some of our guys in Iraq do a little fishing for carp and such in their leisure time. What are they using for bait or lures? I'd like to send some their way.

SteveNO...got anything left in the library?

Got it today. There was not doubt who sent it...and good stuff too.

Excellent. Thanks for the confirmation, Lt. I'll hit you when the next batch is incoming. BIG thanks for doing the heavy lifting on this thing, friend. If helping out in such a small way can bring one of our fighting men (and women) just a few moments of recreation from back home, it's worth it a hundred times over.

Again, thank you so much.

L

All I had time to do was

1. turn wrenches on helicopters
2. get sand out of helicopters and oil residue off windscreens of helicopters

Don't know about what the guys are able to do now.

Mike

P.S about all we had to drink was bottled water so any kind of lemonade or flavor packs was appreciated, MRE's only had one pack so it didn't last long.

Box going out in the AM Pat!

Thanks to you and the Dept for heading this up!

Mike

I got thank you cards from soldiers for all the things I sent, but what they seemed to appreciate the most was cigarettes.

My box went out Thu. afternoon

more where that came from when you're ready to make up another load, amigo

They say the best gift is something you would like to receive. I'm sure the cherry Poptarts will be well received!

Pat I trust my package made it?

I hope the phone call sufficed!

For sure....I'll be getting another package together shortly...Thanks!

Who doesn't like John Wayne and cherry pop tarts

It's an honor to support those who serve!

Mike

I'm sorry I've been a little out of touch lately. My own Marine has been home on 14 days leave, and I put him on a flight back to Japan this morning. It's always tough sending him back, and a whirlwind when he's here. A 20 year old Marine, at the peak of his "Oorah", that hasn't seen an American girl or his car in 8 monthes is hell-on-wheels. Add that, at best, it will be a long time before he sees either again and you can only imagine. Good news for Mom and Dad is that he has been reassigned to headquarters in Okanawa as the Battalion Information/Intelligence Management Officer. He doesn't much care for that.

Anyway, an update. Thank you all for the wonderful items donated, and those still in route. Thank the many of you who send care packages already. I have started on 25 large flat-rate USPS boxes and customs labels, to be sent early next week.

Damn fine job Pat, thanks.

Shipped a 40 lb box of gun and hunting books yesterday to Pat, which he has acknowledged.

There probably are not too many things we do that will have such a significant benefit to the troops. They are always in harms way, and deserve and need a break from what they are doing for us.

Big time kudos to Pat for his leadership on this.

Steve

Thanks Steve...just got a call from my son, he's back in Japan, pretty depressed after leaving his family,girlfriend and freedom. It's kinda ironic.

Pat,
My oldest son was a Marine pilot flying F-18s. If he ever got an assignment that did not involve flying, he would probably have gone AWOL.

My best, and utmost respect to your son. Hope to meet him some day.

Steve

Everyone surely appreciates it, and he's not joking, gents. It's a lot of stuff!

And yes, IMO is POG and Gay.

Ready to go!

Wow Nice haul Pat when you shippin em out?

Tomorrow if there's no rain.

use a dolly, man.....I speak from experience


let us know when you start assembling the next wave

Will do Steve. I'm sure you contribution will be appreciated.

Ewwweee...the post office wasn'nt very happy with me! The crowd got humbled when I explained what was going on though. I'm hoping to do this quarterly, it's about what my shipping budget will allow. I'll hit up some of the businesses around for donations too. Thanks again.

Pat,
I'm sure that many of us at the Fire would be honored to contribute to help out on the shipping charges.

If you tell us how to send the checks, I'm sure you'll get a lot of contributions.

When it comes right down to it, money is cheap compared to the lives that are being risked by our troops.

Steve

Thanks Steve, but I'll take no money from you guys. I'll get the shipping done from this end, one way or another. It's the least I can do.

Good job LT. I really do not know what to send them or what they can have over there. If there is something specific would you let us know.

Dink

Thanks, these have been the recommendations...

Hard candy.
Nuts.
Hot chocolate.
Coffee.
Hand warmers.
DVDs of hunting or fishing.
Hunting and fishing magazines

Of course Ready on the Right (BTDT) says that Cherry Poptarts are the shizzle!

Impressive. Very, very impressive.

Kick azz Pat, that is really awesome!
Nice job campfire folks!


Already setting aside more for the next go-round.

Looks like the USPS's 'if it fits it ships' boxes are purty popular.

+1 on letting folks know when the next batch is needed, El T, and thanks again.

Thanks L, I'm gonna try to get the next batch out 1st of April. Hopefully RAS will let us know what they need.

Sorry I've been so long in getting mine sent. Had a short stent on the sick list again but Im home now and ready to send mine. When do you need the box to get it out in the next shipment? Also, can you share what the shipping cost is to go out from your place? Id be more than happy to pay the shipping on my contribution to get it to its final destination. Id even like to help, even in a small way, with the overall shipping. Thanks so much for the opportunity to participate in such a great cause!!! Hats off to you for your efforts!!!

Kat

I need the address pm'd again please.

pm me an address also please
my family and I want to help....

Box headed your way from Wyo.

I be here!

Pat, PM me an address plz.

Pm me an address please, I just noticed this.

Gunner