Help Support the Marines in Iraq

[captivereefs]

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I speak with my youner brother Darrick about once a week via E-mail from Iraq. He says that some guys do not get anything sent over from home and that some stuff is in short supply. Items like deoderant, toothpaste and kleenex are hard to come by.

If anyone would like to help support there unit while they are deployed that would be great.

I am told items should be in clear zip loc bags.



Address it to the following. Put a small note in the box requesting that it be divided amongset the marines!


BATTALION COMMANDER
2/24 F CO (platoon)
UNIT 43505
FPO AP 96426-3505


There must also be a retrun address on it as well. If you do not want to put your own address on it use the address of the reserve center below.

Marine Corps Reserve Center
2401 South Lincoln Memorial Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53207


All mail should be sent via USPS Priority Mail.
A customs form (provided by the post office) must be filled out for each package.
Keep the value of the package to a minimum on the form to avoid theft.





Here is a link the shows what are good items to send and some ideas for a care pack!

http://foxcompanyfamilies.org/family day info.htm


Thanks Everybody this really means alot to me!

 

[wooddood]

well i belong to the american legion post 10 in my home town and we have sent many many care packages to our troops over seas and continue to do so today. so yes they need all the help they can get from us at home.PLEASE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS people they are fighting for our freedom. thanks for thr post.





dave.

 

[NaH2O]

Thanks Darin!

My brother is a Major in the Marines, so the troops being over there is close to home with me, too.

 

[captivereefs]

Here is a small list my brother E-mailed me. He said these items are pretty valued by the marines and sometimes hard to get.


foot powder.
tang or kool aid (the powdered drink mix)
tooth paste
disposible razors
books,magazines (no pornograpgy)
dry foods such as beef jerky or trail mix
small can goods such as tuna fish, soups, ect.
small bottles of shampoo, shaving cream.
hand lotion
q-tips
baby wipes- non scented.
mouth was.
hand sanitizer
used dvds (no pornography)
letters form strangers telling us were doing a great job.
batteries (any type) aaa, aa, ect


Also if anyone wants to send my brother a positive message here is his E-mail

lcpldarricksewell@yahoo.com
__________________

 

[Curtswearing]

Great idea Darrin!!!

This is something small that I can do that apparently means a lot to the people fighting for our country.

letters form strangers telling us were doing a great job.

I'm also going to send your brother an email because I'm sure there is a lot of discouragement over there. If I can say something nice it might make their day a little better.

 

[captivereefs]

HEre is an update on what my brothers unit is doing. I know alot of you sent him E-mails so i thought you might be curious! And thanks again for sending him some positive words; they meant alot to him!

This is from his Battalion commander.


FROM LT COL SMITH
2ND BATTALION COMMANDER

Hello,

Actually early on this update. However, want to keep all in the loop since
media coverage has been extensive. We are the focus of Operation Phantom
Fury, that you hear referred to. The 24th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit)
is our HHQ and they are Headquartered in Camp Lejeune, NC. Do not be
frustrated if the media does not mention 2/24 specifically, we are not here
for the glory or fame, simply to destroy terrorists and terrorism.

With that said, and even though our email is back up, a large percentage of
the Battalion is operating forward from the Forward Operating Base. Myself
and the Command Staff move virtually daily about our battlespace checking
up, planning and supporting the different elements as they close with and
destroy the enemy in their assigned zones of action. They do it very well,
and are only getting better each day. In addition, they truly are bringing
stability, freedom a nd peace to people who have known nothing but terror and
oppression. The town of Yusufiyah had not had any government presence for
months and the terrorists had absolutely dominated the people and their
lives. Randomly killing and demanding money and youth service for
anti-coaliton fights. NO MORE! Now the must deal with the Warriors of
2/24. That is a deal they are losing, and losing in a big way. They have
thrown every sinister attack you can think of, including multiple attempts
at suicide car bombers. All have been thwarted with only the suicide bomber
being killed in the process. The saddest part is how they have seriously
injured several Iraqi children. Children who have life saving first aid
applied to them by the very Marines and Corpsman who just seconds before
were engaged in full scale combat to destroy the terrorists. To see that in
action is to see the battle between good and evil played out before your
eyes. And to all the anti-war, anti-American crowd, I ask them, where else
do you see such disciplined and proper violence, followed by such compassion
and mercy. I guarantee you it is uniquely American! And there are no
better ambassadors of it than the WONDERFUL Marines of 2/24. They
absolutely humble me and everything about my existence, and you should feel
nothing but extreme PRIDE in them. They are amazing.

That said, currently many of them are without the standard comforts and are
living spartan in support of the mission. We are working non-stop to push
them mail, hot chow, ice, fruit and all we can possibly support. We also
are pushing a couple of satellite phones around so they can attempt at least
some 5 minute phone calls home for an update. PLEASE BE PATIENT! The focus
of the day is combat. But, everywhere I am I see the Marines with pictures< BR>of their loved ones. YOU ARE NEVER OUT OF THEIR HEARTS OR MINDS.

As I already said I am nothing but humbled by these magnificient Warriors,
citizens and Marines; and I can ensure you that MANY fanatics who dreamed of
one day destroying innocent "infidels" on the streets of America have met
with a violent end at the hands of the disciplined, precise HEROS of 2/24.

God Bless You All and Thank You for your continued sacrifice.

LtCol Mark A. Smith
Commanding Officer
Task Force 2/24

 

[captivereefs]

I also got the news that they are fighting hard in and around Fallujah at this time. A few prayers for the men of the 2nd battalion 24th Marines would be greatly appriceated!

 

[Curtswearing]

Darrick sent me a response to my email which really impressed me. He said he only gets to check his emails about once per week but indicated that he loves to receive them.

The youth group at my church was gathering items to send so I donated in that way. However, it's never too late for anyone to put together a care package. Thanksgiving is coming up soon and there will be a lot of sad soldiers and families at home. It seems to me that it is worth a few bucks to help them obtain some of the necessities that we have at home.

 

[mps9506]

I've been sending my support through my roommate that got deployed in the Army National Guard over a year ago. He came back about two months ago and got sent back to Iraq three weeks after he came back.
We communicate via email about once a week or every other week. He is looking forward to coming back since he was only a semester and a half from graduating when he had to leave.
We've been sending a lot of CD's snd dvd's.
I support them while they are over there, but I can't wait for them to come back home safely.
Mike