Think about OPSEC.
Volume of mail has tripled in a very few weeks, but so far they are getting it over there. When troops are on the move, their mail gets put in storage until they get to a semi-stable camp. Then they deliver it as they can.
Yeah, they’re saying family only, but I think if you’re sending sensible stuff, you can play a little loose with this. It’s not like they are going to ID-check you at the post office and refuse the box.
It sounds like Bluesman’s pals are somewhere stable and semi-permanent, so much of this may not apply anyway. Of course, there are only so many planes for mail, so don’t be frivolous.
Those of you who are writing forward-moving troops, remember that they can’t carry much just now. It makes sense to send only stuff that is consumable, disposable, or small.
operationmilitarysupport.com is no longer accepting pen-pals; I’m VERY disappointed.
However, for all of you who got in early and have an address to mail things to, please take a minute to look at their list of things to send:
http://www.operationmilitarysupport.com/listofstufftosend.htm
It covers things like feminine products (do) and home-made cookies (don’t).
Somebody please e-mail me and let me know if they’ve got a military pen-pall they’d like to share - I really want to sign up!
Casper,
I signed up for two - I thought there would be way more names than could be filled.
please email me and I will send you the address.
OK, let’s mobilize the SDMB forces!
Pass the word about OperationMilitarySupport.com to anyone you know that has family or friends in the service.
Post on other message boards or e-lists.
If you are in the military, tell others! I know there are support groups at every base - make sure they know about it.
Any other ideas?
Okay, I’m going to try and get some responses in for Bluesman. He’s been working pretty hard lately, and is now at home getting some much needed rest.
Arden Ranger, if you still are following this, please feel free to re-post on your message board.
Juniper200 one of us will e-mail you soon. I think the idea of kids sending stuff is a great one.
TVeblen, the small boxes with lids that you mention should work fine.
The various people who asked about sanitary products. They are provided, after a fashion, but, as Serendipity said, we women can be very picky about what brands we like. My suggestion (having been active duty myself), is to not send any products in a general package, but if you are coresponding with a female service member, it would be nice to ask if she would like a shipment of her favorite brand.
Tristan, the address provided in the OP will get the packages to people who will screen them and then send them along. Those packages will go to people specifically deployed from Bluesman’s squadron. Of course, any support you want to give is great, whatever organization you deal with.
mishaa, I honestly don’t know about pre-paid phone cards for the specific OP request. Maybe Bluesman can ask about that next time he’s at work.
norinew, I think having your daughters write would be a fabulous idea. Any support from back home is important.
Bad News Baboon, since the OP is a specific and officially sanctioned request, I don’t think it should be a problem. If there gets to be too much to handle, Bluesman’s leadership will let him know, and we will post it here.
I think that’s it. I know Bluesman has already said it, but it’s incredibly heart-warming to see so many people wanting to help. Thank you so very much. The effects of your efforts on troop morale are incredibly important.
ummmm, Be careful, this is how my grandmother got hooked up with my grandfather during WWII.
But seriously folks, Operation Military Support is overbooked. The OP stated that there were 13 or so folks in that group, and I think this thread has more than covered them already. I am ITCHING to send someone a care package. What’s the best route given that OMS is not giving out names? Any suggestions from the military personnel on the board? I don’t know anyone who’s been called up this time, at least not anyone who’s actually in Iraq. It’d be really nice to have an actual person to send stuff to, rather than to just some collection effort. Anyone…Anyone…Bueller…?
Also, would it be acceptable if I include a small sticker that says “This bomb is happily sponsored by //\etalhea|)” and asked them, as a token payment for the goods, to attach it to the nearest munition and send it towards the nearest convenient target? That would give me immense satisfaction.
Thanks for the info. I have two boxes almost ready to be mailed; just need to write the notes/letter to enclose. They’ll go out tomorrow. It seemed a little oogy to mark them “c/o Bluesman” or “The Straight Dope Drive.” (I could just see the mail folks thinking, “Who? And who the hell’s he hanging around with? Handle these boxes with long tongs.”)
The towels will have to wait until next payday, and I sure hope somebody else was successful finding mini-fans. They’re seasonal items around here and can’t be found for love or money. Maybe Dopers in warmer climates may have better luck.
Anyway, first shipment’s going out tomorrow. Hope Bluesman gets some rest.
Veb
I’m confused–I did get a name for Operation Military Support, but today NPR is again saying that only family and personal friends should write to the troops. They mention Operation DearAbby as being discontinued in October, but then go on to mention that the military has discovered others doing the same thing, and wants it to stop (saying it is well intentioned but could be a danger to the troops).
I know I’m not a danger to the troops, but should I send my letter if the military wants this stuff to stop? Any advice?
I’ve got a letter and package all ready to go. Am I allowed to send it or no ?
I’m seconding this.
If you send a general package to someone non-specific, please be prepared to see it come back as “Return to Sender”.
Tripler
Having a specific person or address is a must.
I have a specific name, it’s just that it was given to me by a “well intentioned” organization (like the ones the military is now saying shouldn’t be doing this) and I want to know if it’s okay to use it? And if someone told us non-military types what OPSEC stood for, it would be useful to say the least. Thank you. And yes, my panties are in a knot, thank you very much for asking.
Sending it to the address in the OP is fine. Bluesman’s leadership has endorsed this, is expecting it, and is fine with it.
OPSEC=Operational Security
Regarding ranks, check here.
I’m sorry, what i meant was that I got a name from Operation military support. Is it OK to send a care package to him ?
I would say yes, simply because the soldier signed up for this project. They are signing up because they don’t get mail from home.
They are some websites that are posting addresses out in the open - I would avoid those like the plague!
I sent a letter and a package yesterday to my Marine. (I hadn’t heard about holding off on sending them.) I hope he likes it. My best friend tried to sign up, but was too late to get a name, so she’s sharing my soldier.
Might as well. If they’re taking them s/he’ll get it, and if they aren’t taking them they’ll just send it back.
RE: Operation Dear Abby (Any Soldier) – I was led to believe that that was discontinued right after 9/11 when the anthrax attacks were happening. Then a couple days ago on the radio I heard a soldier being interviewed saying “We know despite the protests that people are supporting us by the way truckloads of packages arrive addressed to ‘Any Soldier.’”
I’d sent letters after 9/11 that were returned to sender, so the program must’ve been reinstated at some point then cancelled again? I went ahead and sent my letter and package anyway and it only cost like $6 or something. I figure even if it gets returned supporting the USPS is a step in the right direction, haha.
I’d keep checking the Operation Military Support site in case they get more names.
I sent my Marine a letter. I didn’t want to send a package right away because he doesn’t know me and therefore might be leery of opening Box From Stranger. I always err on the side of caution with anything like that (as you can tell from my extreme level of worry about what to call him in the first place). Maybe it’s a problem, maybe it’s not…