Please write to my adopted soldier

navane · #1 03-27-2003, 10:28 PM

Hi Everyone!

Being from San Diego, I have known dozens and dozens of people from military families. In SD I've known many people in the Navy and Marines. In Long Beach I've known Army, Air Force, National Guard and Coast Guard folks. Some of the people I know were deployed to the first Gulf War.

I know these people. They have families. They have lives outside of the armed forces.

Our encouragement and support mean a LOT to them.

Since I'm not in the US, I haven't been able to participate in any "write a service member" campaigns - I can't send mail to a US foreign post office from Britain. I then thought of UK troops. The British soldiers are fighting right along side the Americans and are giving their best. Why shouldn't they too be included? I can tell you this, I have yet to find *any* letter writing campaign such as the dozens which are around for US troops (like the Dear Abby e-mails). However, through a little work, I have managed to "adopt" a soldier in the British Army. Corporal Lee Molson is currently in Iraq serving with the 71st CS Company in the 7th Assault Battalion. He is in the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME) - which I believe means that he fixes stuff.

I can send free "e-mails" which in turn get printed out like telegrams out on location in the desert. However, I am planning on sending a small parcel with some items like sweets, toiletries and a list of the current sports scores for him as well. Though, all packages must weigh less than 2kg (I think that's like a little over 4lbs).

I would love to pass on your words of encouragement to Lee and his colleagues. If any of you feel inclined, would you too write a positive note for Lee and his fellow soldiers? Please post them here in the thread or you can e-mail them to me at csulbkds@yahoo.com by 12noon PST on Sunday and I will include them in the parcel. If you want to attatch a gif or jpg of you and/or your family, that's good as well and adds a personal touch. Please state your name, hometown and your message. The British don't understand what fraternities and sororities are so please refrain from saying "All of the XYZs are thinking of you."

Also, please use your best judgement for a positive message. While good in intention, "I hope you don't get killed" is not going to get past me.

I have attached a picture of Cpl Molson (middle) and another of what I assume is the 71st company (of engineers) so you can see what he looks like.

If you are anti war and/or anti military, my apologies for bothering you - just ignore this thread.

It's really hard for them to write back as it takes forever to get mailed (apparently they don't have e-mail access). Though, I will share his response if Lee writes back in regards to your notes. Thank you very much!

.....Kelly

navane · #2 03-28-2003, 01:24 PM

Thanks! Please keep 'em coming!

.....Kelly

DZHBrown · #3 03-28-2003, 01:29 PM

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to do this! I sent my letter via email.

Off subject....he's a cutie!

fuzzie · #4 03-28-2003, 01:54 PM

I wrote you one via email. Let me know if you didn't get it for some reason. Thanks for letting us help support your soldier.

Mindy

AlphaGamDiva · #5 03-28-2003, 02:36 PM

Thank you so much for all that you are doing for all countries involved! It is such an admirable and courageous position that you are in, and you have nothing but my highest respect and gratitude. You have no idea the amount of support that is behind you all over there, but hopefully all of this gives you some idea.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do over there....God bless you and all of our British and American troops!

Monica
Lexington, KY...USA

shadokat · #6 03-28-2003, 02:39 PM

I wrote you an email for your soldier! How do you find how to do this for other soldiers? It is such a fabulous idea

FiReKraCkEr · #7 03-28-2003, 02:45 PM

If you would like to adopt an American soldier

go to Adopt a Platoon

I have to say, they are very selective on who they choose as adopters. They say over and over again that it is not a dating service...yet they match single soldiers with single women....

You can either be a pen pal, or adopt a soldier. Adopting them means you send them care packages and such. It is a huge time and financial commitment, but it is so worth it!!

Have fun!!!

shadokat · #8 03-28-2003, 02:56 PM

Thanks KDatUTC! I'm definitely going to see if I can do this!! What a fabulous program

White_Chocolate · #9 03-28-2003, 04:29 PM

and my sorority has been sitting around trying to figure out what we can do

ilovemyglo · #10 03-28-2003, 06:26 PM

This is wonderful, I'll write ya this weekend

PrincessHeather · #11 03-28-2003, 07:10 PM

This is a great Idea!! My chapter is making a care package for a solider that is a Chi Delta Beta at Stanislaus and is over seas. The guys are getting people on campus to write letters, and I think we are gathering the supplies for the package.

But I was wanting to write a solider too as a pen pal type deal. Thanks for the oppurtunity and the site!

xoxo
Heather

Eclipse · #12 03-28-2003, 07:17 PM

There was an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution today that said (I'll try to look for a link later, I read it in the actual paper) the military is discouraging various groups (churchs, Girl Scout trou[ps, etc.) from sending general care packages over. They are also discouraging Adpot a Soldier campaigns that solicit care packages. THe amount of mail that is currently going to the middle East is huge and has many logistical challenges because of the size. In addition, letters/care packages, etc. from family members are delayed because of the volume of mail. Anyone else hear this?

navane · #13 03-29-2003, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eclipse
There was an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution today that said (I'll try to look for a link later, I read it in the actual paper) the military is discouraging various groups (churchs, Girl Scout trou[ps, etc.) from sending general care packages over. They are also discouraging Adpot a Soldier campaigns that solicit care packages. THe amount of mail that is currently going to the middle East is huge and has many logistical challenges because of the size. In addition, letters/care packages, etc. from family members are delayed because of the volume of mail. Anyone else hear this?

Yes, apparently people are just being TOO generous!

Part of the problem too is that people are wanting to send packages to "Any Service Member". That's a big no-no right now. Only families/friends who have the details of a specific soldier can send and even then there's still too much being sent.

Plus, in the grand scheme of things, as my friend in the Navy told me, "if they have to choose between 8 pallets of mail and 4 humvees on the cargo plane, well, the choice is obvious."

With that said, those policies are coming down from the US armed forces. My solider is in the British armed forces which has different mail regulations. Besides, I can send e-messages to Lee which get sent via internet to his location in the desert. The letters and then printed and handed out. That means no room is taken up on a cargo plane!

Thanks again to everyone who has sent messages for Lee!

.....Kelly

KappaTarzan · #14 03-29-2003, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DZHBrown

Off subject....he's a cutie!

i'll second that.

Eclipse · #15 03-30-2003, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by navane
Yes, apparently people are just being TOO generous! Part of the problem too is that people are wanting to send packages to "Any Service Member". That's a big no-no right now. Only families/friends who have the details of a specific soldier can send and even then there's still too much being sent.

Plus, in the grand scheme of things, as my friend in the Navy told me, "if they have to choose between 8 pallets of mail and 4 humvees on the cargo plane, well, the choice is obvious."

With that said, those policies are coming down from the US armed forces. My solider is in the British armed forces which has different mail regulations. Besides, I can send e-messages to Lee which get sent via internet to his location in the desert. The letters and then printed and handed out. That means no room is taken up on a cargo plane!

Thanks again to everyone who has sent messages for Lee!

.....Kelly

Thanks for the info! I guess the word really needs to get out as a lot of people are trying to "help"