DO A GOOD DEED FOR OUR TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN
Okay,
listen up. I have a job for you. Actually, it’s not a job. It’s a good
deed.
Lt. Frank
Wilson, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, is deployed in Afghanistan,
helping root out the Taliban bad guys. He and his unit are out in the
field for long stretches of time, enduring hardships that you and I can
only imagine from the safety of our sofas. Lt. Wilson recently wrote and
asked if we would consider supplying a list of items that he and his
troops badly want and need.
Here is
the list Lt. Wilson has requested:
Toothbrushes and Crest Pro-Health toothpaste (best when servicemen and
servicewomen get no fluoride from water), dental floss, Listerine Purple
(with fluoride), acne face wash, sunscreen/aftershave hybrid lotions, AA
battery-powered electric razors, eyedrops/nasal saline, vitamins, baby
wipes, economy-brand black socks (like athletic socks; often Marines out
in the field have no water for laundry and wear socks for days and then
burn them with the garbage), food items that will not melt in harsh
sunshine (granola bars/beef jerky/protein powders), spices and hot sauce
for MREs (field rations), anything Chef Boyardee, Cliff Bars, Powerbars,
sunflower seeds, tuna packages, 5-Hour Energy Vials (Low Caffeine Energy
Boost at GNC) and sports magazines.
When I
returned from Iraq a couple of years ago, I asked you to write the
members of Georgia’s 48th Brigade Combat Team stationed in the aptly
named Triangle of Death. You responded with over 2,000 cards and
letters. When I asked for prayers for little Abby Smith, the brave
four-year-old battling cancer, I heard from Christians, Jews and
Muslims, all with different religious philosophies, all supporting Abby
and her family.
Now, I am
asking you to help Frank Wilson and his troops. Not just you. Your
church. Your civic club. Your school. Your workplace.
Lt.
Wilson says that he and his gunnery sergeant will split the gifts evenly
among the troops. He adds, “There are no doubts that many Americans are
weary after five years of sustained combat in Iraq and nearly seven in
Afghanistan. I just ask that you keep our service members in your
prayers. God bless and Semper Fi.” A lot of prayers and a little Chef
Boyardee. I believe we can handle that.
Over the
past few years, I have spoken to more civic clubs than I can count,
including dang near every Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club in the towns
where my column runs (and that is a lot of places), church groups,
retired employees clubs, business groups and industry associations. I
know for a fact that every group with whom I have visited in the state
is doing great things for a variety of causes. I would hope they would
take a moment to add Lt. Wilson’s request to your checklist of worthy
causes.
I hear
regularly from schoolteachers who want their students to establish
communications with our troops overseas. Same with church groups looking
for a project. Presto! Now, you have a name and a list of requested
items.
Besides,
it isn’t going to take you more than an hour to round up most of this
stuff. It’s not like I’m asking you to repave I-95 with a spatula. This
is an easy job that will make you feel good all over.
Here is
the address:
1st Lt.
Frank Wilson
WPNS CO LAR PLT
1/6
UNIT 73145
FPO AE O9510-3145
He didn’t
say so, but I’ll bet he and his troops wouldn’t mind getting a note or
two from you, as well as the supplies they have requested.
You can
check your local U.S. Post Office on any particular requirements for
mailing your materials to our troops. They have a few regulations
regarding overseas mail, but nothing onerous.
This is
not the time for a debate over the pros and cons of the war. We can do
that on another occasion, if you don’t mind. This is the time to show
our young men and women of the military that we appreciate them and the
sacrifices that they are making on our behalf.
Lt. Frank
Wilson, USMC, thanks you. His troops thank you. I thank you too.
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