My Child's School Trying to Collect Needed Supplies for Soldiers in Iraq

[Mrs. Overall]

Just unpacked my son's backpack and found this flyer and it really made me upset. We have several families at the school who have husbands/brothers/sisters/fathers in Iraq and apparently the soldiers do not have enough of these items and need them now:

Writing Materials to write home

Non-melting sweets (for quick energy)

Coffee

Nuts (or other protein items)

Socks

Batteries

Books

Visine

Medicated Foot Powder


It's bad enough that we are also trying to collect money to have the essentials in our school, but this really angers me that our soldiers aren't being given adequate supplies and the Bush Administration is relying on elementary children to collect and send these items to Iraq.

[DebJ]

1. Could you please tell me the name of the school or organization

that is doing this? My husband and his friends are teachers. I would like to see the kids (who may be in uniform themselves in a few years) get involved in this.

[Mrs. Overall]

4. Sure--it's in Western Washington State

North Kitsap School District:

www.nksd.wednet.edu/ (contact info)

I'm not sure if this is through the school district or if it is simply something someone at our local school decided to do on his/her own.

[Gawdfrey]

2. How neat. Teaching kids that selflessness and patriotism are important

This experience is more important than any school subject. God bless them!

[denverbill]

8. I agree. Let's increase taxes and get them all the supplies they need.

What say you Gawdfrey? Are you with me?

[Mrs. Overall]

10. I think it is teaching our children that if they are ever sent to war

they will not be given what they need to be successful.

I would rather have my children learn to think than to be blindly patriotic.

[DebJ]

12. BINGO! I'd like to see the kids go home and tell their

parents that: under W, if we go to war, we will not be given what we need! And under W, he's planning a few more wars, ain't he?

[denverbill]

13. You got that right. In 2nd grade, I learned about Vietnam.

I read about it in the Weekly Reader. I learned how the evil commies had invaded the freedom loving democratic South and how our valiant troops were defending them from the infidel invaders.

It wasn't until I was in high school and the war was over and Nixon impeached and the Pentagon Papers were published and the whole truth started to come out that I realized I'd been had.

[derrald]

3. shameless plug, sorry

but a few things of brown underarmour are also good to send - they're specially designed shirts that keep you extra cool, which is important in the desert

http://www.underarmour.com/ua2/ua/detail.asp?dept%5Fid=2&pf%5Fid=0039

remember, if you order any, it's gotta be brown/beige or the army wont allow it

[necso]

5. As the weather grows cooler,

it will also be possible to send chocolates, which are a favorite with the troops.

There are a number of sites where one can do stuff, including send packages, to help the troops. I recommend doing so, in a totally apolitical manner.

But I will not provide any links because of the risk these days of being pursued from site to site by thugs, who would disturb one's tranquility, though failing in their attempts.

Do be careful of the many ripoff sites, as war profiteering is a favorite of the unclean.

[Mrs. Overall]

6. I Think Everyone is Missing My Point!!

Yes, this is great that the kids are sending things needed in Iraq,
BUT--shouldn't the GOVERNMENT be giving the soldiers the supplies they need????
It upsets me that these soldiers are going without these items and having to rely on school kids to collect them.

The damn flyer made me cry!!

[sadiesworld]

9. After hearing about family members sending kevlar vests...

schoolkids sending candy seems almost quaint. :crazy:

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. I know hiow you feel

I got the same gut renching reaction when my husband was deployed OVER A YEAR AGO and we got the email from ombudsman

Now this is spreading

By the way, send me a physical adress I have two packets that need troops

[Gawdfrey]

14. Think of it from this perspective....

When you go to college, you pretty much get the necessities at your dorm, a basic bed, three basic meal, a shower...but it sure is damn nice when you get that care package from home...maybe some little naughty snack...some brownies or homemade rolls...some cash.
Of course the necessities should be provided, but sometimes it's nice to have a little extra from people who care and it makes these soldiers feel cared about and supported.
The lesson in giving and caring about our country is also an important one for those kids. Both groups benefit.

[Mrs. Overall]

15. But we aren't talking some "naughty little snack" here--

I understand what you are saying about the giving and receiving and the lessons therein, BUT the anger I feel has to do with the soldiers seeming to not be adequately equipped.

I have read other stories of communities needing to send bullet-proof vests and in some cases, even bullets. It also seems that their food is not rich enough in protein and many soldiers are losing weight and coming down with some deficiency illnesses.

Your comparison to a college care package is just not appropriate, in my opinion.

When my brother served in Vietnam we sent what he asked for--homemade chocolate chip cookies. He had everything else he needed. Our men and women in Iraq do not seem to have what they need.

Iraq ain't no Yale!

[Gawdfrey]

16. Well yes

I agree that the soldiers should be well equipped enough. If we have any hope of them succeeding in their mission, our government owes that to them, so I agree.

[the Kelly Gang]

7. Good Grief..I bet Haliburton employees aren't going short

but God bless the kids