Jeff at Have Coffee Will Write links to the Sandbox on his web site. This is a military blog "featuring comments, anecdotes, and observations from service members currently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan". It isn't political; it's human. No matter how you feel about the Congress and the executive branch taking us into this war or the mistakes they have made since we have entered it, you have to be proud of the men and women who are over there. They are living up to the commitment they made to their fellow soldiers and to our country. The burden this nation has placed on the soldiers and their families is tremendous, and despite all the hoopla about "We support our troops", little sacrifice has been asked of the average American.
After reading some of the Sandbox posts, I needed to do something more than put a yellow ribbon sticker on my car. ( I had one, but someone took it.) Although I had previously sent a package to someone I knew, I don't know of anyone who is deployed overseas right now. I started looking around the net for addresses and found Any Soldier. This web site will give you the addresses of soldiers who accept letters and packages addressed to Any Soldier. Then they hand them out to men and women deployed with them who might like some mail from the folks back home. I got two addresses and mailed off a letter yesterday. I hope to get two boxes in the mail this week. I know some of you have probably been doing this for some time now, but if you haven't, I urge you to support our troops with letters and packages. Another web site I found is America Supports You. This military web site has links to many ways you can show your support to our troops.
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7 comments:
CeeJay,
I can not tell you how it warms my heart to read of a fellow Unitarian Universalist who realizes that there is no conflict between supporting troops and UU theology/ideals.
I thank you, and I salute you. If I can ever be of service, you have but to ask.
Yours in Faith,
David Pyle
2LT, USAR Chapalincy Candidate
Student, Meadville Lombard Theological School
Love the Sandbox concept for getting care packages to soldiers but it's a little like the electrical companies asking the middle class to contribute on their monthly power bills to pay for those who can't afford the price of home heat.
It's a top down approach which passes the cost to someone else while they get tax breaks from the government which is supposed to lower their operating costs.
Corporations should take a portion of their annual tax subsidy and use it to buy each member of the military a food package, body armor or whatever individual need is required.
Better yet, Americans should demand a corporate war tax be imposed to pay for Bush's Middle East misadventures.
If big business had to pay for the war, it would end in a heartbeat and there would no longer be a need to send packages to the troops.
Peace,
Cosmic
Cosmic,
I think it is more the thought that someone back in the states cares about them than the actual substance of the package. I do care and want them to know that.
I do agree with you that the corporations should pay their fair share of the war. The money appropriated has been mishandled and war profiteers are making a fortune while men and women in our military and their families suffer tremendous loss, not only in death and injuries, but lost time with family for which no amount of money can compensate them.
I am supporting our troops, not only with a few care packages, but by holding our politicians accounable for the way they are treating citizens who volunteered to defend this country and aid us in times of crisis.
David,
It is good to know that there will be a fellow UU serving as a chaplin and helping our troops meet their spiritual needs.
Please let us know if our congregation can be of help to you and those you will be serving with.
Peace and love,
Cee Jay
Shalom Cee Jay,
Thanks for finding this. I remember the importance of mail from my own days in the Gulf back in 1979.
B'shalom,
Jeff
Hello, Cee Jay!
Yup. One can be a UU and in the military. It's not easy, but as with anything in this life, it can be done with will, determination, and a little grace.
Peace,
Lou Portella
ET1(SW/AW), Active USN
Thanks for visiting my blog, Lou and thanks for your service to our country. We are lucky to have many people of faith in our military. They represent our nation's diversity, tolerance, and democracy. Who better to be representatives of diversity and tolerance than Unitarian Universalists.
Blessed Be,
Cee Jay
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