First, one of my daughter's Kindergarten classmates has an Uncle who is deployed to Afghanistan currently. The class has adopted the The Marine and his Company, and is putting together care packages to send. I've got a box I'm hoping to fill up soon. I've already got some items ready to go including batteries, gum, candy and baby wipes.
This is the email from their CO and 1st Sgt:
3d Battalion 5th Marines
NEWSLETTER
October 2010
Friends and Families of Company L,
Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support over the last
month. Your Marines are doing amazing work as they turn the tide in a
tough fight. Through hard patrolling and platoon and company-level
operations we are starting to see steady progress in the confidence of
our partnered Afghan National Army units, and the citizens of this
province. The Marines are living under spartan conditions where the
rubber meets the road in small patrol bases with Afghan units, and in
touch daily with the people of their area. As you would expect they
would have it no other way. Their confidence in the themselves, their
fellow Marines, and your support, is high.
Our progress has not been without sacrifice, and we will soon have
the opportunity to memorialize Sergeant Ian Tawney who gave his life
leading from the front as Marines do. Sergeant Tawney, and the
Marines who have been wounded, are missed every day, but the
example they have set spurs the rest of us to work harder and
continue their fight.
Your support has been tremendous. The letters and packages from
home are delivered regularly to the Marines wherever they are serving
and are a welcome source of encouragement (and junk food). Please
know that your Marines are superbly trained, motivated, and dedicated
to the work that lies ahead. With your support we will continue to take
the fight to the enemy, and protect each other and the innocent people
of this province.
Respectfully,
Capt Murray & 1stSgt Lucas
I am in West Pearland (just off 288). I'd happily take delivery of your items, or you can drop them off to Heritage Christian (12005 CR 59
Pearland) during school hours at the front desk. Let them know the items need to go to Mrs. Trevillian's class for the Marine care package. Deadline is Nov 10th.
Item suggestions:
Non perishable candy and snack foods (chips, beef jerkey, packaged cookies, candy, gum, sunflower seeds, etc). Nothing that will melt, though.
baby wipes
personal care items (toothbrushes & toothpaste, travel sized hygene, disposable razors)
Current magazines (please, no smut or "men's" magazines...this is a Christian school and my daughter's K class....hunting, fishing, electronics/gaming, cars, that kind of stuff)
batteries
postcards and letters wishing the Marines well and thanking them for their service. Birthday cards for the Marine Corps (Nov 10th is the 235th Birthday of the Marine Corps....Semper Fi!)
Pens, stationary, envelopes
Shoot me a PM if you want to drop items off with me over the next few days. If you plan on doing so tomorrow evening we could even have a beer and shoot the bull.
Second, the wife is doing a Toys for Tots drive through her business. If anyone needs to drop new, unwrapped toys for TFT, let me know. I'm pretty sure it needs to be by Thanksgiving.
Thanks,