Don't forget our troops on this holiday season

[Drac]

Good day all,

There are many of them that will be away from home this holiday season all around the world. For those from the US they will still be getting their turkey if even in MREs but it is a far cry from being with their families. As chapter prez of a vet's association I get to have fun helping out the troops. We have been running several campaigns for the troops and their families.

Some boxes we packed up this past summer and just mailed out Saturday. We mailed out 149 out of the 205 we packed up (the others had been mailed eelier) Saturday. The Post Office was not happy -



With the extra snack and personal supplies we took to the USO at the DFW airport. If you haven't seen it is the best USO you will ever see and I've been to over a dozen in 16 years of service. The only disappointing thing is as much as this looks it is only about 2-3 of stuff for the soldiers. They don't charge anything for the food and supplies. It is all donations -



We also ran a drive for the Fisher House. If you aren't familiar with them they are like the Ronald McDonald House for the VA Hospitals. Collected over 3000 loads of detergent with the help of the Sea Cadets -



There are many programs like this around and it takes so little to make a difference.

Jim

[Seumas52]

Congratulataions on a great job well done. Very worthwhile cause.

[Luckey]

Job well done Jim! Don't know if I've ever told you before, but my deepest gratitude for you and everyone else who defends our country.

[davedove]

my deepest gratitude for you and everyone else who defends our country.

As well as their families, who must sit and wait as their loved ones go into harm's way.

[Drac]

Job well done Jim! Don't know if I've ever told you before, but my deepest gratitude for you and everyone else who defends our country.

Thank you but here I'm just another Joe trying to help those who are doing the job.

As well as their families, who must sit and wait as their loved ones go into harm's way.

That's why we pushed to help out the Fisher House. They do so much for families at the hardest time of their lives. Imagine you have a husband/wife injured in combat and you can't afford the hotel to stay near him/her. It can mean a great deal for the family to be there.

Jim

[BLHS209]

Some boxes we packed up this past summer and just mailed out Saturday. We mailed out 149 out of the 205 we packed up (the others had been mailed eelier) Saturday. The Post Office was not happy -

Before I rant -in the future would they be willing to pick up, especially seeing the quantity?

Begin Rant - PO not happy??? Not wanting to do their job??? And this isn't an Ebay shipment - it is to the troops overseas. Next time tell them to "suck it up" and do their job!!!! End Rant

Good to see all the goods going overseas. Reminded me that we (my family) should also get involved again.

Chris Shepherd

[Tartan Tess]

Last year I learned firsthand how Awesome the Ronald Mcdonald house was and always donate to it when I can. thanks for letting us know about the Fisher house. how do you donate to them?

[Drac]

Before I rant -in the future would they be willing to pick up, especially seeing the quantity?

Begin Rant - PO not happy??? Not wanting to do their job??? And this isn't an Ebay shipment - it is to the troops overseas. Next time tell them to "suck it up" and do their job!!!! End Rant

Good to see all the goods going overseas. Reminded me that we (my family) should also get involved again.

Chris Shepherd

Oops. It was a bit of a joke. Sorry. They would be more than willing to come pick them if I called for it. The guy helping load them into the carts is a Desert Storm Vet so it was good natured gripping.

Last year I learned firsthand how Awesome the Ronald Mcdonald house was and always donate to it when I can. thanks for letting us know about the Fisher house. how do you donate to them?

We worked directly with the local one but here is their website for donations -

http://www.fisherhouse.org/donate/index.html

Also from their website, additional orgs and way they help (I rather like the cookie brigade) -

http://www.fisherhouse.org/community/giving.html

Jim