beechcomber
spending too much on rocks
Summertime!
Member since March 2006
Posts: 345
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Post by beechcomber on Mar 20, 2006 21:51:32 GMT -5
I hope no one minds a little request for a prayer if you read this. I have a friend with a son in the service who finally came home (well, to the states anyway) and those men and women (more like girls and boys) need all the prayers they can get. I say a prayer here and there when something catches my eye on the news, and I realize I should be praying EVERY NIGHT for them.
Yeah, I know some people don't like talking religion much. If you don't want to, please don't take offense and just bypass this post. But if you haven't lately, maybe this is just a small reminder to keep them in your hearts and prayers!
Thanks!
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jlc0321
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2005
Posts: 408
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Post by jlc0321 on Mar 20, 2006 22:10:03 GMT -5
I don't pray as much as I should, but our servicemen are in my prayers. The church we attend keep our servicemen at the top of our prayer list. I didn't see any action, but I served just shy of 8 years in the Navy, chasing Russian subs around in the Atlantic.  Jeff |
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Post by docone31 on Mar 20, 2006 22:24:16 GMT -5
There is a lot of power in prayer. I am a Viet Nam era vet. I know the feeling of aloneness. Being in a war is hard enough, it is hard to explain how much harder it is to come home. I am so full of shrapnel I cannot fly on conventional airlines, even before 9-11.
We were boys and girls when we arrived, we were terrified when we were there, we were homesick untill we got home. We were lost in our own bodies and when it was quiet we wished we were anywhere but where we were.
I welcome your wishes, and stating your hopes. My prayer is that I am there for the returning soldier who does not yet know what he feels, that the clamour of the world has not made me immune to the look in their eyes that I had for so many years. That I am there and our eyes meet, warrior to warrior, that for that moment we are not alone without words, that our eyes tell the story, and we need not tell it more. That I am there to answer the question that has not been yet formed.
Prayer is an action that transcends. Who am I? What do I want? Why am I here? Give a man a fish, you give him a meal, Teach a man to fish and you feed his family for a lifetime.
I certainly do not mind your request. I hope you do not mind if I also pray.
Maybe some day, it will be a perfect world. In a lot of respects, I believe today is not that day. I hope I recognize the look in the eye and I can say the right thing. I hope my words are true and help.
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Post by xenaswolf on Mar 20, 2006 23:09:49 GMT -5
Doc, whether you meant it to be or not, that was beautiful. I hope your prayers are answered and your hopes fulfilled.
I pray for our service members daily and for those that love them.
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inflight22
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 710
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Post by inflight22 on Mar 21, 2006 4:35:10 GMT -5
That was really nice, Doc and Beech. I am an atheist, but that does not mean that every time I hear about our war, or another person killed over there, that I do not care. I cannot put myself in the place of anyone who has ever served in a war, but I am greatly touched that anyone would put themselves and their lives and their families in jeopardy for the cause of our country. That sacrifice should never be minimized should never be out of our thoughts.
BTW, my daughter and I have done some volunteer work for our local homeless shelter, but we have been wondering about sending care packages to the troops. I understand that they could use simple everyday items like soap, razors, chapstick, etc. Does anyone know how we can go about this or where to send packages?
jj
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Post by rockyraccoon on Mar 21, 2006 5:35:30 GMT -5
pray loud and be proud!
kim
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Post by Toad on Mar 21, 2006 8:16:00 GMT -5
I have to admit, I wasn't praying every day until someone from our church went over. Now I have a picture of him in my cube and am praying for the troops everyday. Here's to a successful mission and a safe return!
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beechcomber
spending too much on rocks
Summertime!
Member since March 2006
Posts: 345
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Post by beechcomber on Mar 21, 2006 8:46:18 GMT -5
JJ, I'm not sure of a good site to use for personal care packages. It seems that most of them want you to make a donation or sponsor a care package. I can look on my hometown news websites and get back to you. Here are two I found with a search, but haven't dealt with them personally. soldiersangels.org/ and www.operationusocarepackage.org/Where I worked, we had two soldiers in Iraq and one of the secretaries took care of the addresses and we all would pitch in with our donations. Chapstick and lotion were big items, but we also sent toilet paper, cookies, CD's, pictures from home and their hometown, etc. I think that would be great if you and your daughter did that. Not only for the soldiers, but it sure makes you feel good too! ;D |
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Post by Cher on Mar 21, 2006 10:18:13 GMT -5
It breaks my heart thinking of our soldiers over there and pray that they come home soon ... all safe and sound. Unfortunately, I'm the same way and don't pray often enough for their safety and wellbeing.
In regards to sending packages .... You need to know someone and have their correct address to be able to send a care package. I found a friend on my forum a couple years ago and along with my daughter, grandkids and mother, we bought all kinds of stuff for daily use and sent it to him. I had planned to send one over to JC in February last year when he was there, shamefully due to family problems, I didn't get it done. If anyone is planning to do this, here's a list of what I sent. I did a lot of research at the time to find out items that they could use. We sent a lot of travel size items that would fit into a small area.
Disposable camera
Playing cards
15 pks of travel size Tylenol caplets
Colgate toothpaste
Hand Lotion
Band-aids
Shaving cream
Moist wipes
AA Batteries
Bic Pens
Writing tablets
Chapstick / Blistex (must have a screw on cap)
Pampers unscented baby wipes
Kleenix Tissue Pocket Packs
Sunblock 60+ spf
Johnson's baby powder
Halls Plus cough drops - (must be individually wrapped)
Wild Cherry Lifesavers - (must be individually wrapped)
Sugar packets
Creamer packets
Beef Jerky 4 oz package
Ramen Noodles
Ritz cheese sandwiches 12 snack packs
Zest deodorant soap
Combos cheddar cheese pretzel snack 8oz
Nerf footballs
The Pampers wipes box was too big so we repackaged them into ziplock baggies. This was also done so he could share some of the stuff with his friends.
I bought a lot of stuff at a supply store and mentioned to the manager what I was doing. He discounted everything I had picked out there so I made sure I included him in the note I sent to our soldier.
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drupe
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2005
Posts: 1,245
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Post by drupe on Mar 21, 2006 10:44:57 GMT -5
Prayer does work. I have a grandson who is in the Marines and just got back from Iraq in one piece and a very close friend whose vehicle got blown up by a roadside bomb. He wasn't expected to make it but he did and he and I both know that prayer was the reason.
They guys and gals in the service need our prayers and deserve the effort you make to see that the Lord protects them from harm. Pray often, pray hard, pray with sincerity. You will be heard.
Pete
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inflight22
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 710
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Post by inflight22 on Mar 21, 2006 13:09:56 GMT -5
Thanks for the information, Cher. I found a website called "AnySoldier.com" There's a lot of reading to do, but you can read what soldiers have personally written about themselves and their unit's needs, and how to go about sending a care package.
What they do is get a soldier to volunteer to receive the package, and if it says ATTN: any soldier, then he/she knows that it's for disbursement to others. And, the best way to do this is in our favorite flat-rate priority boxes!
BTW, you were pretty much right on with your list!
jj
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Post by Alice on Mar 21, 2006 15:54:34 GMT -5
For those interested in sending a package over to Iraq... Don't bother sending things like chap stick with sun screen. That's all supplied to them for free. Things that are of necessity are given to them. I can get a list from hubby of things that are readily available to them (for free). When I send a package off it's usually filled mainly with Junk food. Everything from chocolate bars, to tick tacks. I sometimes throw in a t-shirt or a ball cap so he can trade it off to his friends. Money seems to have no value over there (Among themselves). Chocolates and candy's on the other hand is another question  Things Hubby has to buy for himself at their PX type stores are things like soap, Shampoo, Cigarettes, toothpaste, cleaners (like wet wipes), Socks, etc... I'll get that list of things that are already provided for them. |
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inflight22
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 710
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Post by inflight22 on Mar 21, 2006 18:14:40 GMT -5
That would be very helpful!
jj
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beechcomber
spending too much on rocks
Summertime!
Member since March 2006
Posts: 345
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Post by beechcomber on Mar 22, 2006 10:03:43 GMT -5
Alice,
Do you have an address that we can use to send stuff to Iraq? Is your husband still there? Thanks for the info on the free stuff too. I might be able to get some beer t-shirts from a local beer dist. to send over.
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Post by Alice on Mar 22, 2006 11:11:01 GMT -5
beechcomber, Yes he's still there and will keep doing his job over there for a number of years still (he's a contractor) Hubby wrote back and said even though they get stuff supplied to them for free, they often run out and have to wait for the next shipment to come in (Which can take months). When that happens they have to go to the PX (a store on base) and buy whatever they might need. So whatever you want to send, it'll be greatly appreciated. Out of all the things I send over to hubby these are the most favorites (He shares his boxes with everyone). Coffee Tea Chocolates & Candies (They love licorice!) Souvenirs from our home town T-shirts ball caps Little Debbie type cakes (Doesn't HAVE to be little Debbie... just something they can share) Air fresheners (for the bathroom, lockers, odor eaters for shoes) Wet wipes (To clean your hands, your car, windex type, ect...) Phone cards Honey (Be sure to double bag honey... it can be messy if it breaks open) Maple syrup Little desk type toys (brain teasers) As for addresses... it depends on where you want to send your package off to. Iraq (Which base? Which department?), Afghanistan (Which base? Which department?), Some other country (Which base? Which department?). The web site JJ provided is a good place to look for addresses. anysoldier.com/index.cfmYou might want to include a note with your address. The soldier just might write you back, and become a life long friend |
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beechcomber
spending too much on rocks
Summertime!
Member since March 2006
Posts: 345
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Post by beechcomber on Mar 22, 2006 13:40:56 GMT -5
Thank you so much for the info....not just for me but the others here that would love to send a package!!
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thehawke
freely admits to licking rocks
My Lord and Master
Member since January 2006
Posts: 866
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Post by thehawke on Mar 22, 2006 18:38:35 GMT -5
Don't pray, but do think alot about the soldiers in harm's way. Am pleased to report a couple I knew were in Iraq made it back safely.
Despise the falsehoods which led to them being in harm's way. But that isn't their fault. Seems to me that is the biggest difference between Vietnam and now: that we know enough not to blame the soldiers and sailors for doing their jobs and take our issues to the policy-makers.
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