I would write a letter just to find out if they are having a better time over there now that they are getting my letters or would they rather get the hell out of there and never need to be adopted again.
Originally posted by: chrisms
Originally posted by: KidViciou$
disgruntled soldiers -> weak military -> falling out of our #1 place in the global society
Our soldiers can be as disgruntled as they want, short of attacking the U.S., and we still won't lose that spot for some time.
Originally posted by: TexDotCom
Originally posted by: tami
Originally posted by: Baked
And this would help because?
you don't realize that soldiers overseas appreciate these gestures so much. having no real contact with anyone besides their own peers is limiting. getting letters and maintaining correspondence with other people is really heartening for those who are watching suffering (and possibly enduring some as well) on a regular basis.
thank you nik for posting this.
As a soldier who has been deployed to Kuwait for almost nine months, I can attest to a number of things:
1) The amount of "your taxes" going into our pockets is, in most cases, quite insignificant
2) Most of us aren't here for the paycheck, but because we feel it's the right thing to do, that we have an obligation ("giving back" to our country), and/or pride in the efforts our country is making to increase the standard of living for those in Iraq and Afghanistan
3) The theater has matured quite a bit, and very quickly, but there are still many areas where the living conditions for Service Members (SMs) are...well...less than desirable
4) Care packages and other correspondence is not only appreciated because of the excitement that comes from someone else putting forth effort, time, money, etc. on your behalf. They also bring a personal touch from "the homefront" and serves to lessen the loneliness and homesickness many of us feel.
I will admit that, being in Kuwait, I have it better than a lot of the other SMs over here. In fact, most of the care packages I receive I turn around and send up north to Iraq where I know some folks who are all too eager to receive such things...and who need them more than I do. I think the OP had a great idea and should be commended for sharing this information with the members/lurkers of this forum and does not deserve to have their thread crapped on *ahem...chrisms*
If you don't want to sign up/contribute, then don't. But please know that if you do, your efforts and actions will not be in vain and will be greatly appreciated by the members of your Armed Forces (if you're a US citizen, anyway).
</discourse>
Originally posted by: TexDotCom
and thanks for your support and appreciation. it sucks over here, but at least I can find some time once and a while to get on ATOT. talk about a morale boost! :thumbsup:
You are a sad sad sad little boyOriginally posted by: chrismsI don't think it's right to get a soldiers hopes up so he feels good about fighting another day. That'll only lead to re-enlistment and then his/her eventual death or injury. I'd rather see them miserable, so when they get back they'll do everything in their power to not return or see anyone else go over there.
Disgruntled soldiers->more pressure to withdrawal->quicker end to war->less deaths
or
Soldiers with high morale->Believe "the job" must be done->long, drawn-out quagmire->more deaths
By involving myself in this program I am contributing to the deaths of American troops. No thanks
Originally posted by: chrisms
Originally posted by: Nik
Originally posted by: chrisms
The soldiers get enough of my money. It's called taxes
It's not about money. Christ. It's about morale.
If you were a father, would you just throw your paycheck at your wife and go to bed, not caring about anything other than whether they have money to take care of themselves or not? :roll:
Of course not. Stop being such douche bags.
I don't think it's right to get a soldiers hopes up so he feels good about fighting another day. That'll only lead to re-enlistment and then his/her eventual death or injury. I'd rather see them miserable, so when they get back they'll do everything in their power to not return or see anyone else go over there.
Disgruntled soldiers->more pressure to withdrawal->quicker end to war->less deaths
or
Soldiers with high morale->Believe "the job" must be done->long, drawn-out quagmire->more deaths
By involving myself in this program I am contributing to the deaths of American troops. No thanks
Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
Why isnt this stickied yet?
You're an idiot. Don't talk anymore. ByebyeOriginally posted by: chrisms
Originally posted by: Nik
Originally posted by: chrisms
The soldiers get enough of my money. It's called taxes
It's not about money. Christ. It's about morale.
If you were a father, would you just throw your paycheck at your wife and go to bed, not caring about anything other than whether they have money to take care of themselves or not? :roll:
Of course not. Stop being such douche bags.
I don't think it's right to get a soldiers hopes up so he feels good about fighting another day. That'll only lead to re-enlistment and then his/her eventual death or injury. I'd rather see them miserable, so when they get back they'll do everything in their power to not return or see anyone else go over there.
Disgruntled soldiers->more pressure to withdrawal->quicker end to war->less deaths
or
Soldiers with high morale->Believe "the job" must be done->long, drawn-out quagmire->more deaths
By involving myself in this program I am contributing to the deaths of American troops. No thanks
Originally posted by: DonVito
This is a good idea, though some GIs may find it a little patronizing receiving care packages and letters of support from strangers. I know it really boosted my spirits when I was in the middle east for OEF and received handmade cards and letters from a bunch of 4th-graders (a friend was a 4th-grade teacher at the time).
The Department of Defense has asked the general public to stop sending unsolicited letters and packages to service members in Iraq. Instead, DoD suggests: (1) sending e-mail or donating a prepaid calling card to members at www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html; (2) donating $25 to Operation USO Care Package by calling 866-USO-GIVE (866-876-4483) or visiting www.usocares.org; (3) supporting families of service members by calling the local American Red Cross chapter or visiting www.redcross.org; (4) sending a $10 or $20 ''Gifts from the Homefront'' certificate that troops can use at post exchanges by calling 1-877-770-GIFT or visiting www.aafes.com/docs/homefront.htm; (5) visiting veterans under care at Veterans Affairs hospitals in your area; or (6) sending donations to one or more of the service relief organizations: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at www.nmcrs.org/iraqwar.html; Air Force Aid Society at www.afas.org; Army Emergency Relief at www.aerhq.org; and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, www.cgmahq.org.
Originally posted by: chrisms
Originally posted by: Nik
Originally posted by: chrisms
The soldiers get enough of my money. It's called taxes
It's not about money. Christ. It's about morale.
If you were a father, would you just throw your paycheck at your wife and go to bed, not caring about anything other than whether they have money to take care of themselves or not? :roll:
Of course not. Stop being such douche bags.
I don't think it's right to get a soldiers hopes up so he feels good about fighting another day. That'll only lead to re-enlistment and then his/her eventual death or injury. I'd rather see them miserable, so when they get back they'll do everything in their power to not return or see anyone else go over there.
Disgruntled soldiers->more pressure to withdrawal->quicker end to war->less deaths
or
Soldiers with high morale->Believe "the job" must be done->long, drawn-out quagmire->more deaths
By involving myself in this program I am contributing to the deaths of American troops. No thanks
Originally posted by: Thera
I heard something on the news about this the other day. The DoD has asked people to stop sending stuff. I'm not sure if the request is still on, I found this on the net. Just FYI.
The Department of Defense has asked the general public to stop sending unsolicited letters and packages to service members in Iraq. Instead, DoD suggests: (1) sending e-mail or donating a prepaid calling card to members at www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html; (2) donating $25 to Operation USO Care Package by calling 866-USO-GIVE (866-876-4483) or visiting www.usocares.org; (3) supporting families of service members by calling the local American Red Cross chapter or visiting www.redcross.org; (4) sending a $10 or $20 ''Gifts from the Homefront'' certificate that troops can use at post exchanges by calling 1-877-770-GIFT or visiting www.aafes.com/docs/homefront.htm; (5) visiting veterans under care at Veterans Affairs hospitals in your area; or (6) sending donations to one or more of the service relief organizations: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at www.nmcrs.org/iraqwar.html; Air Force Aid Society at www.afas.org; Army Emergency Relief at www.aerhq.org; and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, www.cgmahq.org.
Originally posted by: Wapp
Originally posted by: chrisms
Originally posted by: Nik
Originally posted by: chrisms
The soldiers get enough of my money. It's called taxes
It's not about money. Christ. It's about morale.
If you were a father, would you just throw your paycheck at your wife and go to bed, not caring about anything other than whether they have money to take care of themselves or not? :roll:
Of course not. Stop being such douche bags.
I don't think it's right to get a soldiers hopes up so he feels good about fighting another day. That'll only lead to re-enlistment and then his/her eventual death or injury. I'd rather see them miserable, so when they get back they'll do everything in their power to not return or see anyone else go over there.
Disgruntled soldiers->more pressure to withdrawal->quicker end to war->less deaths
or
Soldiers with high morale->Believe "the job" must be done->long, drawn-out quagmire->more deaths
By involving myself in this program I am contributing to the deaths of American troops. No thanks
Here is my old neighbor, one of those soldiers that you want so badly to be disgruntled.
SrA Kolfage
In defense of both brothers, one in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan, and as a military member myself, please die in a fire.
Originally posted by: chrisms
Originally posted by: Wapp
Originally posted by: chrisms
Originally posted by: Nik
Originally posted by: chrisms
The soldiers get enough of my money. It's called taxes
It's not about money. Christ. It's about morale.
If you were a father, would you just throw your paycheck at your wife and go to bed, not caring about anything other than whether they have money to take care of themselves or not? :roll:
Of course not. Stop being such douche bags.
I don't think it's right to get a soldiers hopes up so he feels good about fighting another day. That'll only lead to re-enlistment and then his/her eventual death or injury. I'd rather see them miserable, so when they get back they'll do everything in their power to not return or see anyone else go over there.
Disgruntled soldiers->more pressure to withdrawal->quicker end to war->less deaths
or
Soldiers with high morale->Believe "the job" must be done->long, drawn-out quagmire->more deaths
By involving myself in this program I am contributing to the deaths of American troops. No thanks
Here is my old neighbor, one of those soldiers that you want so badly to be disgruntled.
SrA Kolfage
In defense of both brothers, one in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan, and as a military member myself, please die in a fire.
If we would have pulled out earlier the death toll would've been hundreds fewer and your neighbor would still have his limbs. Of course we can't let those first deaths be in vain, so we have to maim and kill thousands more troops in order to fulfill some sense that we tried our darndest before crawling out with blood on our hands.
Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
Originally posted by: chrisms
If we would have pulled out earlier the death toll would've been hundreds fewer and your neighbor would still have his limbs. Of course we can't let those first deaths be in vain, so we have to maim and kill thousands more troops in order to fulfill some sense that we tried our darndest before crawling out with blood on our hands.
Wow. Just when I think you can't get any fvcking stupider you prove me wrong. I guess then we never should have fought in any wars? Should we have let the Japanese get away with bombing Pearl Harbor in order to prevent any additional soldiers from dying? Christ you might be the stupidest fvcker I've ever met.
Originally posted by: chrisms
If we would have pulled out earlier the death toll would've been hundreds fewer and your neighbor would still have his limbs. Of course we can't let those first deaths be in vain, so we have to maim and kill thousands more troops in order to fulfill some sense that we tried our darndest before crawling out with blood on our hands.
Originally posted by: chrisms
If we would have pulled out earlier the death toll would've been hundreds fewer and your neighbor would still have his limbs. Of course we can't let those first deaths be in vain, so we have to maim and kill thousands more troops in order to fulfill some sense that we tried our darndest before crawling out with blood on our hands.
Originally posted by: Thera
Here's an official list on places where you can donate and support the troops, maybe add this to your main topic Nic. defenselink.mil
The ban is during holiday times when they want family packages to make it through and not get mixed up with random care packages.