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b.blauser
Seaman Recruit
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Over there
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 Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 10:52 am Post subject: Good news stories from Iraq |
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Hi all. I'm new to the forum.
I'm a civilian working in a combat zone, and help the fighting troops in any way I can here on base.
I have a unique perspective, because I see our guys go outside the wire on missions, and get to talk to them when they come back.
People send me care packages, and I gladly hand them to the combat soldiers because they're the ones who deserve them the most.
I've brought over 131 specialized pediatric wheelchairs for disabled Iraqi kids, and just came back from going outside the wire with the soldiers into IED territory to get them out to the kids. I'm working on getting another 200 of them over, hopefully soon. The soldiers tell me that this is the most important hands-on thing they were able to do since they've come over.
I also have a project going where I provide study Bibles to soldiers who are asking questions about what happens if they are killed in action. One of my Chapel buds was killed in action last year, and I've dedicated this effort to him, since he was actually helping me pass them out to the troops.
All in all, I'm just here to support these guys as much as I can, and pass along stuff different people send from the states to the brave warriors fighting to keep our homeland free of terrorists.
I started a blog not long ago for those interested in seeing my pictures and stories. http://www.SupportingTroops.blogspot.com
I Look forward to getting to know you guys.
Gig'em Texas Aggies!
b.blauser |
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Me#1You#10
Site Admin
Joined: 06 May 2004
Posts: 6503
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| Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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Brad...
Welcome to the SVPT forum and thanks for your courageous and inspiring work both for our troops and for the people of the new Iraq.
Times being what they are, ours is a small forum and our viewership probably quite limited, but we're delighted to afford you and your work whatever exposure and support you may garner here.
God bless you and keep you safe in your most commendable and noteworthy efforts.
P.S. Many in this forum may be familiar with the work of photographer/blogger Michael Yon. For those of us (including me) who might not have visited Michael's blog for some time, he has a nice photo-essay on Brad's work (and one heckuva nice blog I might add) here. |
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b.blauser
Seaman Recruit
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Over there
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| Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks so much, Me/You!
Michael did a piece on the wheelchairs effort back in February, also:
http://michaelyon-online.com/wp/wheelchairs-for-iraqi-children.htm
He and I were here during the same time, involved with Deuce Four. Many of the guys on my website www.StudyBiblesForSoldiers.com are Deuce Four, as you'll notice on the patches on their shoulders.
From what I understand, Bruce Willis announced he was going to do a movie based off of Yon's blog, not sure if that's still the case or not.
As for me, I'm in the same place as before, where Yon was when he was blogging here.
There are really cool things happening with the soldiers and Iraqis you won't find in the media. I've been putting news briefs out to over 400 mainstream media email addresses, but no bites. Guess they don't want a good news story about the President's war...I'd hope I'm wrong.
Thanks for welcoming me.
God bless you all back stateside supporting these troops. It's truly an honor for me to be here at a time and place such as this. |
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NortonPete
PO2
Joined: 13 Aug 2004
Posts: 385
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| Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Me#1You#10 wrote: | Brad...
Welcome to the SVPT forum and thanks for your courageous and inspiring work both for our troops and for the people of the new Iraq.
Times being what they are, ours is a small forum |
Looks like this forum just became alot bigger with the addition of Brad.
I will be sure to learn more about your efforts and try to lend support.
Its not how many friends you have, its what they are made of.
Update:
I've just been reading Your Care Package post
I'm going to put one together next week. |
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Schadow
Vice Admiral
Joined: 30 Sep 2004
Posts: 936
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
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| Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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| b.blauser wrote: | | There are really cool things happening with the soldiers and Iraqis you won't find in the media. I've been putting news briefs out to over 400 mainstream media email addresses, but no bites. Guess they don't want a good news story about the President's war...I'd hope I'm wrong. |
We wish you were wrong, too. Unfortunately, you're spot on. As long as reporters do their reporting from Green Zone hotel balconies, no good news is going to get out, much less accepted for print by their editors.
The lack of reporting on the good works of our soldiers and people such as yourself is at once sad and confirming of the frank anti-Bush position of the mainstream press.
Stay safe and keep up the good work.
Schadow
_________________
Capt, 8th U.S. Army, Korea '53 - '54 |
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b.blauser
Seaman Recruit
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Over there
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NortonPete
PO2
Joined: 13 Aug 2004
Posts: 385
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| Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:34 am Post subject: |
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Hi Brad,
Your instructions | Quote: | Best things to send are:
1. ANYTHING HOMEMADE. Soft cookies, brownies, fudge, rice krispies treats, etc. Soldiers whoop, holler and make a spectacle of themselves when they get this stuff! It's pretty fun to watch.
2. Snackables. Nuts, trail mix, things from the snacks isle in the supermarket. No chocolates until like October or so.
3. DVDs of the top 10 movies at Blockbuster.
4. DEET pump spray repellants,
5. For the ladies - if you're doing gender specific packages - anything from Bath and Body Works or someplace similar.
6. Blade replacements for the Gillette Mach II razors.
7. Small toys / beannie babies, hard candies to give the kids out in the city on missions.
8. Picture of yourselves and a hand written note of encouragement to the soldiers.
9. Packaged coffees – whole bean or ground up. Very coveted prize to dance around camp with when received.
10. White crew socks.
11. PX Gift Cards from AAFES.
Things NOT to send: Shirts, Hats (not part of uniform – can’t wear over here), colored fingernail polish, alcohol, pornography. |
are very straight forward.
Question: I've been sending prepaid phone cards through the Post Office whenever I stop in. I send 1-2 a week sometimes. I have no idea what becomes of them. Is this something that would work in a Care Package?
When I get the hang of this I will work to involve others.
Thanks
Peter Hughes |
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b.blauser
Seaman Recruit
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Over there
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| Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:50 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, Pete. The soldiers LOVE getting those AND AAFES / PX gift cards. When the soldier opens the box, I'll take a pic of him/her with the box and phone cards.
Without the pics, Iraq just becomes a big black hole somewhere in the middle-east...people never know what happened to their stuff.
Brad |
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NortonPete
PO2
Joined: 13 Aug 2004
Posts: 385
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| Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:25 pm Post subject: |
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| b.blauser wrote: | Yeah, Pete. The soldiers LOVE getting those AND AAFES / PX gift cards. When the soldier opens the box, I'll take a pic of him/her with the box and phone cards.
Without the pics, Iraq just becomes a big black hole somewhere in the middle-east...people never know what happened to their stuff.
Brad |
Hi again,
I need a bit of advice on the phone and gift cards.
I'm looking at AAFES
Phone cards -- I've been buying $10 cards at the US Post Office.
Whats that get you in Iraq? What's the best card? Given the same amount of money vs the number of cards. 550 vs 200
AAFES gift certificates -- what does $25 get in Iraq ? |
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NortonPete
PO2
Joined: 13 Aug 2004
Posts: 385
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| Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 12:10 am Post subject: |
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Pardon the second request about phone cards and gift certificates.
Any thoughts on my above post would be helpful.
I want to put something together this week.
I just don't undertand
| Quote: | Hi again,
I need a bit of advice on the phone and gift cards.
I'm looking at AAFES
Phone cards -- I've been buying $10 cards at the US Post Office.
Whats that get you in Iraq? What's the best card? Given the same amount of money vs the number of cards. 550 vs 200
AAFES gift certificates -- what does $25 get in Iraq ? |
Thanks again |
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