Americans: Support Our Armed Forces

[M. A. Dockter]

I know that quite a few of us are not Americans but I think the following is something that many Americans here on the forum would like to participate in. I know at least 2 of the moderators are veterans of the US Armed Forces off the top of my head. I know there are more members that are veterans than I can count on my fingers at one time.

Politics aside I think it would be a wonderful thing for willing participants to join me in adopting a deployed military person via Operating Military Pride.

Some might think that by doing such a thing the PC Mechanic Forums openly support war against Iraq. By doing this, the only thing I wish to support is the giving of respect and support that those men and women who choose to fight for the United States of America and risk their lives for each and ever citizen of the country (even though some are ungrateful.) Those that think that by doing this we support war would be aside to find out that their thoughts are un-founded. I do not want this to be some sort of political “we support war” message. I want this to be a “we support our soldiers as individuals” message.

Participation is simple. If you wish to help out just drop me an email or PM. We can arrange one of many things:

1.) Send me a few bucks via paypal and I can buy items for the care packages
2.) If you would like anything included in the car packages, items, letters, etc, you can contact me and I can provide you for your email address.
3.) If you wish to have a small paragraph or 2 included in a letter please PM or email it to me.

Willing participants can help support these 2 soldiers:

PFC {name removed intentionally}
HHC 8TH MP BRIGADE
UNIT 15306
Will share care packages with 1 deployed military person/s.
no requests were made
no comments

HM3 {name removed intentionally}
MEDICAL
USS BOXER LHD-4
Will share care packages with 6 deployed military person/s.
jerky, granola bars, really enjoys receiving lots of letters and drawings from kids!
Thank you!

He’s asking for jerky, granola, and drawings from kids; I plan to get all of those things. I hope some do the same.

[john ranger]

The average age of an American infantry soldier is 19 years.
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is
considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears,
not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He
never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than
wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student,
pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and
has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or
swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.

He listens to rock and roll or hip hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm
Howitzers.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is
working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can
field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less-in the dark. He
can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and
use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without
spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears
the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes
forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his
own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty,
he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even
split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He
has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his
hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still
find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he
should have in his short lifetime. He has stood atop mountains of dead
bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private,
for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while
at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away'
those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even
stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he
defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying
the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the
American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his
blood.

[ghost_of_war]

I think this is great what you are doing....

[pzs22]

john ranger did you write that? Its fantastic.

[Alienware_Dude]

I'd be happy to, but I have no PayPal account.

[M. A. Dockter]

What I could really use is something to fulfill the second person's wants for pictures from children.

Even a personal note would be acceptable. I don't think there is any reason to think that only money will help, I'm sure a quick note of "thank you" would be quite enough for me to pass along. It only takes a few minutes of your time; far less than what they are sacrificing.

[ssahl]

My grandfather was a WWII veteren, he passed away just last month, but I know that he would appriciate what they are doing for us (and others) over there. He always did, as do I. I dont have a paypal account, M. A. Dockter if you could provide me with a name and address I could mail you a small thank you that would probably help me more then anything. As for a personal note, well actually I'll PM that to you.

[M. A. Dockter]

I'll be doing the shoping on Friday and shipping stuff our Monday. Does anyone else have anything else?

[Jaggannath]

John Ranger, I myself am a member of the Australian military, and one thing you said to me I know struck a chord with me...
"He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while
at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away'
those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even
stop talking."

It took me joining the military to properly understand what the uniform, the flag, and the Australian national anthem means to me, and what it should mean to everyone. People have stood up and sacrificed their all, especially their lives, to ensure that uniform, that flag, that anthem, can be played freely and proudly anywhere in this world. So to all who the flag of your nation means nothing, I ask only that you think of all who have died defending that flag and all it stands for, and whatever you feel about the morality of war, please remember that us soldiers are there doing a job so that you don't have to

[ktkendall]

Well Said:
This is what is needed as I stated in a previous thread, It's too bad this was not the attitude towards the viet nam vets. As a former Marine I can really apreciate the attitude of support displayed here. Just because they are over there doesn't mean that each and every one of them as an individual really believes that we are doing the right thing the right way, but once your in there you don't really get to choose what battles you wish to take part in, So I really am proud of their attitude to go over there and get the job done wether as an individual they agree with what we are doing. That was my point with the soldiers as they returned from vietnam, they got treated like the war was their fault. Keep up the good work!!

[sloppyp]

I would like to say thank you to all of you out there for the support of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, such as myself. It makes me feel good that I come to a site that has nothing to do with the war and I find a these type of encouraging words being spoken. Again, thnak you for all the support.

Air Force member in Germany