In My Own Words

I’ve been working on fulfilling the requests of Chuck, the leader of the sniper team in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan that I adopted from AdoptAUSSoldier. I sent a box of assorted snacks first thing, which wasn’t specifically requested but was something I had on hand. I’ve never had a troop turn down a box of goodies, and I figured that was a good place to start, along with a note letting them know I am trying to get everything on their list sent as soon as humanly possible. The next box was full of baby wipes and Mennen Clear Solid stick deodorant/antiperspirant; it went into the mail Wednesday. That left “twin sheet sets” and “Solar shower” on their wish list.

I found some twin-size sheet sets online at Wal-Mart.com, two different Jeep prints, and ordered 3 sets of each print (using Bill Me Later as a payment option). They arrived Wednesday and I unpackaged and washed them, and they are now packed into two large FRB’s (Flat Rate Boxes for those who don’t speak USPS language…LOL!) ready to go ~ whenever I have postage available. A large FRB costs $11.95 to ship to an APO/FPO address. That’s a $2 savings over a domestic address, but still ridiculous in my own humble opinion. (Note: I washed them because I personally will not use or wear any item until it has been laundered, and I don’t expect our Warriors to do so either.) Anyway, that leaves “Solar shower” on their wish list. We’ll come up with something.

I don’t know how many of you are keeping an eye on the news coming out of Afghanistan, but we’ve got one Soldier missing, abducted by insurgents along with three of his Afghan counterparts last Tuesday. All efforts are being made to locate and return our missing Warrior safely back to his post, which of course puts other Troops in danger as they work on this mission. Prayers are called for, so if you’re a praying person, please send up multitudes of prayers that the mission is a success and none of  the searchers are harmed during the search and rescue.

Also there have been several Warriors killed in action this week in Afghanistan; two just this morning when their base was attacked by Taliban insurgents using RPG and mortar fire. A suicide bomber with a truck load of explosives and rocks made an attempt to crash into the base but was thwarted when guards fired on the truck as it refused to halt, and it exploded, harming none but the driver.  Thank God! I mentioned in an earlier blog that things are really picking up in Afghanistan, and the number of troops there is woefully inadequate as the focus of attention has been in Iraq. Our brave Warriors are stretched to the limit ~ prayers for their safety and success are called for as well.

Every Soldier, Marine, Airman, Sailor, Coast Guard member we adopt gets their own Guardian Angel, as seen below. One can’t have too many angels watching over them…

Front and Back of Guardian Angel card