Cards for the Troops

One of my clients at work, JB, is an active duty soldier. He owns a business in Texas, is stationed in Oklahoma, and has been sent to Iraq. I wanted to do something special for him and the others in his unit for Christmas. I organized my office & daycare to do cards & needed items for JB and his unit.

Of course he can't tell me any exact numbers. I wouldn't want him to compromise the safety of anyone over there. He was able to give me estimates. I needed to provide cards for 200 troops. Only about 50 if I wanted to take care of his direct platoon, but about 200 for the unit. These are soldiers who have been away from home for about 9 months already. They aren't even sure when they'll be back home. But it definitely won't be in time for Christmas.

I surpassed my goal of 200 cards. We also have enough items for everyone in his unit to get 1 thing, and for extras to be passed out to the other platoons. When I say items I mean everything from toothbrushes, to snack foods. Things that they have a hard time getting over there in Iraq.

My hope is that this lets them know that we haven't forgotten them over here. That we do appreciate everything they're doing for us. And that we know how hard it must be for them and their families. Last month 9 of their soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash. (This was reported on CNN, so JB could tell me.) JB says their morale is down in the dumps. And as the holidays approach it gets even worse. I really hope this gives them a little happy.