Operation Military Pride - UK Style

[neo's white rabbit]

Well if anyone want to send a care box to our troops I have my rough list and Tracey has that too and is working on getting more info.

NOTE: You need the name of someone to send to, even if you're asking them to share out the contents. I understand that if you just send a box addressed generally if won't get there - which hasn't been pointed out on some of boards the I've seen.

 

[Olaf]

I thought of something else. The guys posted on the ships as opposed to the Marines and Army, are going to need different kinds of items. Plus, those guys in the desert have to carry all of their own kits.

I'm so proud of all of our guys (and women)!

 

[TraceyL]

Coincidentally I've just updated the list of things to send to take into account the items requested specifically by the troops on the ground (thanks nwr !!) They mainly want food Its a sorry state of affairs when we can't feed our troops properly !!

Thanks for the suggestion Steph

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Quite! Food parcels...

At some point last night Tracey and I had an exchange about the different needs of ground troops versus those on the ships.

 

[Astrid]

You're doing a great job!

Ta for the e-mail Tracey, I've printed it off and me and the kids are going to get a box together.

Every little bit helps and all that.

Astrid x

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Hi Astrid

The very brilliant Tracey has done this...

http://mysite.freeserve.com/Care_Parcels/

 

[Astrid]

How clever is that!!

Also used your link NWR for a person to write to so I'll be getting my pen and paper out later! Can't believe how quickly I got a name and address back.

Thanks!

Astrid

 

[TraceyL]

My very first attempt at a website lol !!

 

[neo's white rabbit]

You did great Tracey

I know Astrid, it surprised me too. Reading between the lines letters are very important - the link I put up was for US service people not getting any mail. Imagine that scene. Stuck out there never hearing from a soul.

There is no similar arrangement for UK troops (yet) but you can get free 'blueys' from your Post Office - just ask for one. I have a stack of general addresses for Op Telic BFPO's and, allowing for the current confusion about whether you need a named person for package, a free letter costs nothing and may make all the difference to someone.

 

[TraceyL]

That's an excellent idea ! In these days of emails I'd totally forgotten about blueys !!!

 

[Penny12]

Hmmmm...I haven't actually done mine yet, but now I'm not sure I should after reading this

Seems the are tightening up and saying you <i>shouldn't</i> do it this way because of the security risk it opens up.

 

[TraceyL]

I did consider the security risk before I started but when letters from servicemen appear in national newspapers (with addresses) asking for parcels/letters, its no different. Every address I have has been volunteered.

Its actually got far too big for me already - the response has been amazing - it was only designed for a couple of the forums I use but seems to have got 'national' !!

The official MoD line is that care parcels are not required as the servicemen have everything they need (not what I've been told) and that excess mail will clog up vital supply lines (they only take out what fills the space they have left anyway)


So .... what do I do ??

 

[Astrid]

Well, I'm sending mine anyway.

Keep up the good work Tracey!

Astrid x

 

[TraceyL]

I've taken the contact page offline while I think things over. It was a good idea whilst it was kept in house and I was passing addresses out to people I 'knew'. I'm getting increasingly uncomfortable about the sheer number of strangers I'm giving addresses out to.

Please continue to send the parcels that you're making up whilst I mull things over.

 

[Penny12]

Okee do! I'll try and get mine all sorted tomorrow then

 

[Kilted_Yank]

Good on you, Tracy and everyone for doing this. As a long srvice veteran, I can truly appreciate the effort, and can tell you that our men out in the desert and aboard ship aprreciate it as well.

Hang in there, everyone!

Bill

 

[Krisu]

Don't mean to get off topic Just want to say my prayers are also with our friends from England. P.S. what is dried smash

 

[TraceyL]

Smash is a brand of dried mashed potato

 

[nativetxn]

What is a bluey?

How can I get a name of a British military person? I have adopted 2 US marines and 1 US soldier.

I'm an honorary Brit and I think I need to adopt a British military person and send a package.

Does anyone have a relative or someone they know who wouldn't mind receiving mail from an American?

Katholyn

 

[TraceyL]

A Bluey is an aerogram.

A very light combined envelope and writing paper (you write on the inside then fold it over and put th eaddress on the outside).

It quailfies for free airmail delivery to active service areas

I've PM'd you