Those God Damned Troops Need What?

Look, I work in the car biz and most, although not all, managers I have worked under are more concerned about anything but the car biz on a daily basis. girlfriends, the new boat,snowmobile or whatever. They believe that all of the pesky salespeople are just something they have to put up with. They hold very low opinions of them, as they are "managers" and have risen above their co workers in both stature and intelligence. If I had a dollar for every time I've heard a manager say, "that stupid bastard couldn't close a door" I'd be living in Aspen. The auto salesperson today is just a means to an end for these guys. Don't get me started on the owners! I'm sure you get the point.

Then I read this:


Survivors in Afghanistan Need Immediate Help - 56 Soldiers Lost EVERYTHING

* Oct 6, 2009 at 8:00 AM
* 28 comments

UPDATE as of 7 OCT 1430 hrs

We do NOT need fleece blankets, wash clothes or towels. Still need everything else on the list below

UPDATE as of 7 OCT 09 1300 hrs

STILL NEED

Winter Wool Hiking Socks - mostly size 9-12 but a few 13+

ACU tshirts - Need 50 size large

Boxer briefs - have received none. Need 6 small, 60 medium, 42 large and 4 XLarge

Towels and wash clothes - Need 40 sets of each, darker colors preferred

Fleece throw size blankets - Need 30

Donations towards the purchase of both winter and summer PT clothes

Donations towards the replacement of name tapes, unit patches, etc. for their new uniforms.

DO NOT NEED

Athletic shoes

Gloves

White socks

Toiletries

Shower Shoes

UPDATE as of 6 OCT 09 2130 hrs

I'm still working through a list of emails from so many of you. THANK YOU. And thank you for your patience. I don't have the speadsheet update in full yet but I do know that we are mostly still in need of:

ACU tshirts - see original post for sizes and quanitities

Waterproof winter gloves (dark colors)

Balaclavas

Socks - white and winter wool for hiking

12 pairs of shower shoes

Pillows

Towels and wash clothes

PT clothes - winter and summer

Cash donations towards the purchase of athlectic shoes for PT

Shaving cream

WE DO NOT NEED any more

Toiletries - Razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste

Thank you all so much for the great response. I will do my best to get some solid numbers to you by end of day tomorrow.

UPDATE AS OF 6 OCT 09 1400 hrs

All winter knit hats have been donated

10 sets of twin sheets have been donated

30 pairs of shower shoes have been donated

2 pairs of size Medium ACUs have been donated (even though we weren't asking for those but HOOAH)

$325.00 in cash has been committed

About 20 individuals and organizations have contacted me and are going to donate but I don't have specific items or amounts yet. Hope to have more info by end of day or tomorrow.

A couple of people have inquired as to why we need to know what and how many items they are donating. The reason is because we want to keep up with the items to make sure we cover all they need and don't have excess in some areas and not enough in others. I will continue to update here as I get firm committments about what is being donated. Most of all we appreciate ALL of you for pitching in and working on this as a team with us. We will be "briefing" the CSM via email tonight. I will post his reply here (assuming he has time to respond).

Like so many of you my heart has been heavy since the news of the attacks on our posts in Afghanistan on Saturday. The families of the Fallen are first and foremost in my thoughts and prayers. May God give them strength and comfort as they prepare to lay their loved ones to rest and may they always know that there are many of us out here who will ALWAYS remember their sons, brothers, fathers and husbands.

On another note, my great friend and troop support partner, Bob Connolly and I have been in direct contact with the unit's CSM after learning that the base was destroyed and the men lost all of their belongs except the clothes on their backs. The Army is working to replace uniforms for the men. But they need assistance with other personal items. And they NEED TO KNOW that we are thinking about them over here, too.

Please contact me IMMEDIATELY to help fill their "needs" list below.

Socks (both white socks and winter wool hiking socks)

MED - 24
LG - 22
XL - 10

Underwear (boxers and boxer briefs

SM - 3
MED - 30
LG - 21
XL - 2

tshirts (must be Army ACU tshirts - Army will issue for immediate need but extras are always helpful)

SM - 3
MED - 30
LG - 21
XL - 2

PT shorts (or long pants) and shirts

SM - 3
MED - 30
LG - 21
XL - 2

Shower shoes

MED - 24
LG - 22
XL - 10

Towels, wash clothes, twin sheet sets, pillows, blankets (fleece)- Need 56 sets

Razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream - Need enough for 56 men

Running shoes - we are awaiting specific sizes

The above items are the "immediate" needs.

Other suggestions are:

balaclavas, knit caps to fit under helmets (dark colors), winter gloves (dark colors and preferably water proof)

iPods, DVDs, MP3 players and movies, batteries, digital cameras.

Please contact me ASAP via emial tankerbabelc@gmail.com. We want to work to assure every Soldier is covered with basics first so it is important that we track the donated items. If you prefer to make a monetary donation I can give you information to do so.

Bob is getting some goodie boxes out to them today just to let the know we are behind them. We need to get these other items in route ASAP.

Many thanks!

These guys at the Pentagon have the same attitude. Their bonus system is not money but moving up the chain of command and hence acquiring more power.

Next time you see a five star general's car, I don't think you"ll see a support the troops bumper sticker on it.

h/t http://tankerbabelc985.vox.com/