Hi Folks,
There's a new editor's letter on site:
EDITOR'S LETTER 32
A soldier's request: Please support the troops in Iraq.
August 14, 2004
Hi Folks,
Recently, Inline Hockey Central received the following letter from Martin Larson of Support Our Troops:
A Soldier's Request
Here are some letters from American soldiers in Iraq that I thought I'd share with Inline Hockey Central's readers. If anyone would like to send them something, their addresses are below their letters. Thank you.
Martin Larson
Support Our Troops
2331 East Lily Lake Road
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-0154
<A HREF="http://troopsupport.cjb.net" target="_new">http://troopsupport.cjb.net</A>
<A HREF="http://trooptournament.cjb.net" target="_new">http://trooptournament.cjb.net</A>
The letters that Larson forwarded are shown below. These men and women could use various items graciously donated by Inline Hockey Central's readers.
Whether you think that America's war with Iraq is right or wrong (and I firmly believe it's the latter), I believe that it's important to support our troops.
Until we can bring them home safely -- and I hope it's very soon -- let's at least try to fulfill some of their needs while they're putting their lives on the line.
***
Mail is Worth its Weight in Gold
I am originally from Miami, Florida, and my unit is stationed out of South Carolina. Anything would help, even a simple letter for us to respond to; mail is worth its weight in gold. Hygiene supplies are always needed too, including black cotton socks and foot-care products. I am a father of four beautiful children whom I miss very much; I can't wait to return home. We live in hardened buildings in the middle of the desert, and sand gets into everything. Temperatures are overwhelming and sometimes harsh. All voltage is 220 volts, and our cooking capabilities are minimal; we have one microwave. I am representing my squad directly through this site. If food is sent, please ensure it is nonperishable. Books, writing utensils and paper are always good --and maybe even a hometown newspaper. We are glad to be of service and really appreciate everything you do. Together we can all provide the blanket of freedom we all enjoy and have learned to love and adore. One special request would be a study Bible, We are trying to get Bible studies going here and have no materials. Once again, thanks so much for everything, and may God bless us all.
GySgt Rene R. Benedit
VMFA(AW)-332 Q/A
UNIT 78545
FPO AE 09503-8545
You Make a Difference
This is A CO 3/141st INF National Guard unit out of Texas. We live fairly comfortably in plywood huts with A/C and 110-volt electricity. Our squad has access to laundry service, but no cooking ability (only a dining facility). We are just looking for packages to come in for soldiers who don't get much mail, so they can contain a variety of things, such as candy, razors, towels, phone cards, AAFES gift cards, soaps, shampoos, foot/baby powder, letter-writing utensils, deodorant, disposable cameras to send pictures back home, baby wipes, etc. Some guys are particular about food, like low-carb meals, but for the most part, we'll eat anything -- Pop-Tarts, potato chips, Oreo cookies, etc. Thank you all so much for remembering your troops out here. Americans like you really make a difference to us.
Jarrod Bolin
A co 3/141 INF
BAF, QRF 2
APO AE 09354
Thanks for All You Do
This is for my platoon and it will be greatly appreciated. We need paint brushes to clean weapons. The guys like beef jerky and powder for drinks, magazines, good candy and newspapers. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer are good, too -- and we could really use envelopes and paper. We chew Skoal because we are infantry, but I know that's asking a lot. Thanks for all you do; it's very decent.
1LT Vincent B. Caliguire
A CO, 1-109 IN
APO AE 09333
Snacks Are Much Appreciated
We are 2-101 from Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, and we are part of the 101st Airborne Division. We live in trailers that have 220-volt power, but we're able to use 110-volt appliances. Our free time is mostly spent watching movies on our laptops. We always need personal-hygiene products, and my female soldiers can always benefit by receiving female items. Other stuff that would be beneficial to us are DVD movies. Other stuff would be bagged candy and chips; stuff we are unable to get out here. Board games would be greatly appreciated, as well as toys -- such as water guns and stuff of that nature. Books and magazines are always enjoyed by the soldiers, as we use them to pass away the boredom. Though, just in general, snacks of any type are always a good thing. ;-)
SGT Kale M. Chevalier
HHC 2-101 ATHB
FOB Endurance
APO AE 09334
Could Use Cooking Supplies
Hi, my name is Al'Tamika Coleman and I'm with 4/3 ACR. My living conditions are all right; I live in a trailer with three other females. We don't have anything to cook with or on. My unit is from Fort Carson, Colorado. I'm a single mother with a little girl. Thank you for all your prayers and support. Keep praying that we all make it home. Your gifts and letters will help me and my fellow soldiers get though the rest of the deployment. Thank you.
SPC Al'Tamika M. Coleman
Camp Sykes
HHT 4/3 ACR
APO AE 09379
Small Items Very Helpful
I am writing on behalf of my troops in the Aviation Life Support division. We are from the Marine Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina, and are currently in Iraq. We are living in trailers and have electricity, and have access to a microwave. Although there is a small exchange here, their inventory is limited. Some small items like kettle popcorn, gummy worms, black uniform boot socks, coffee, Mach 3 and Sensor razor blades, and beef jerky would be greatly appreciated. Any small items and snacks such as these would be very welcome. Thank you for your kindness.
David F. Craik
VMFA(AW)-332 S/S
Unit 78545
FPO AE 09503-8545
***
Thanks in advance to all IHC readers who donate items to the U.S. troops in Iraq!
Sincerely,
Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central
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