Any Soldier.com

Any Soldier.com

I came across a blog yesterday called Life Prints-Good News for a More Compassionate World authored by Lisa McGlaun.  He blog entry entitled, Assisted Living Residents Remember the Importance of Wartime Letters/Packages took me back to the first Gulf War.

I was a freshman in college, 19 going on 30, drinking way too much coffee and paying way too much attention to boys. I had assembled care packages of sweets and stuff for the soldiers and upon opening the packages, the soldiers would see pictures of me taped to the inside of the box.  Pictures of me in way-too-short miniskirts against a river’s dock with my hair blowing in the wind. (What was I thinking? Better yet, what was my mom thinking?) Back then, those photos were categorized as risqué by my friends and I.  Today, in the age of webcams, those photos seems pretty tame.  Tame like wearing a skirted bathing suit on the beach back in the 40’s. That’s what we did when we were 18.

So today, during intermission in the “Chaos of Kali’s World” I decided to relive the experience of that package thanks to Lisa’s mention of Anysoldier.com. AnySoldier.com has a long list of soldiers emails requesting items they need overseas and it allows you to fulfill their requests by sending a package overseas. Kind of like a Secret Santa. Just don’t expect a thank you reply.  They’re probably too busy.

If you think you don’t “have the time”, allow me to help you organize you time:

1.    10 minutes: Walk into CVS or your choice of pharmacy or supermarket. Purchase cookies, baby wipes, Trail Mix and Beef Jerky as requested by one particular soldier. If you don't have the cash, charge it.
2.    5 minutes:  Stop by hardware store and get free paint box to ship items.
3.    15 minutes:  Insert Items.  Toss in notebook and pen for letter writing. Wrap package with left over grocery paper bags. Have packaging tape readily available.
4.    10 minutes: Walk to post office.  Use automated machine to pay for postage.  No lines.

TOTAL TIME:  40 minutes.  Not bad. 40 minutes I would have spent in the steam room.

Bikini pics optional.  At this age, I have decided to leave those out.

    

Comments

[Lisa McGlaun]

Kali,
How absolutely sweet of you to mention LifePrints! But what makes me feel even beter is that someone actually decided to make a positive difference based on something I wrote. What a headrush that is! I'm sure you're gonna make a solider happy and hey, why not...send that bikini pic. What the heck! Thanks again.

[ancient clown]

Blessings:

Please don't take this personally as it is not directed AT you. It's just that, I'm of the thinking that the ONLY way to TRULY support your troops, would be to bring them home so they stop murdering people and getting themselves killed.
Just like here in Canada,(after BUSH got the same voting machines up here, so he could secure a BUSH friendly Prime Minister) our troops are now overseas liberating another country, while our human rights are being striped away on a daily basis and a man can and has been jailed for 7 months for 'sleeping in a park'.
Personally, I've survived attempts on my life by POLICE just for speaking up about human rights issues and the treatment of the poor.
Prior to my speaking out, I'd never even had a speeding ticket. I used to be an actor as well, for over 10 years,(Mini-mart robber from the movie 'Detroit Rock City').

Maybe, you/others could put that same effort into saving the life of a homeless person on YOUR streets...watch how easy it can be.
SMILE as you walk by, don't pretend to ignore them.
TALK to them, instead of at them. It helps remove YOUR prejudice.
GIVE them an extra blanket or sleeping bag...you know you have one.
UNDERSTAND, that though most of you don't have the COURAGE to live that way, that is the way to live.
Your pretenses of ownership of lands, minerals, waters, etc. are just LIES pushed down the ages by the corrupt, who left GOD...And their time it at an END.
The Meek shall inherit the Earth and Blessed are the poor, because theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Liars, Murderers & Thieves are not going to be making it past this next evolutionary step, which has already begun, so I'd advise, stop following them NOW.
The Rich and Wealthy will not be able to buy themselves a ticket on board the Evolution Express.
You are who you follow, walk wisely.
Those who have shown no mercy...shall receive none.
your humble servant,
ancient clown