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CHRISTMAS TO THE TROOPS ALL YEAR LONG

Bring Christmas To The Troops All Year Long

Your Support Does Make A Difference

An e-mail from the CO of C/1/5:

Sir,

Let me be the first to thank you and the generous people of Colorado for your outpouring of support. In the last two days I have received several packages from Colorado that included general comfort items as well as whole boxes of shaving cream. Asking for help and receiving help is not something that Marines are especially comfortable with but I assure you that we are indebted to you and all of those who were willing to take the time and money out of their own pockets to help a group of people that you do not know and have very little association with. Your efforts and those of your community have been truly humbling. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would receive the tremendous outpouring of support we have received already. It is easy for people to call the Marines patriots but the reality is that this is our job. We get paid to do this and if we did not I don't think you would find to many eager volunteers for our Corps. The members of your local American Legion and others on the other hand embody the true meaning of patriotism in my mind. People who are taking time out of their daily lives, not out of financial gain or personal recognition, but individuals who are willing to sacrifice their time and money to support a group of fellow Americans in need simply because they feel that it is the right thing to do. T paraphrase the late Ronald Regan "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." I want you and the people of your American Legion Post to know that they have made a difference in our lives and that I truly believe more Marines will be returning home this fall because of the outpouring of support we have received thus far. When we come home people will be quick to pat Marines on the back and call us heroes and patriots. Make sure they save one for you as well. You may never know the impact of your donation but I assure you that no care package will ever be more welcomed or put to better use. On behalf of the Marines of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines let me express my sincere thanks.

Casey M. Brock

Commanding Officer, C Company

1st Battalion, 5th Marines

Want to see what kind of difference it makes?

NRA Life of Duty TV Series - War Desn't Take A Holiday narrated by Oliver North

Christmas For the Troops All Year Long

Christmas is coming again and there are still Marines and other servicmen and women deployed around the world and they still need to know that they are remembered and appreciated.

We are going to be looking all year for contacts with deployed units. If you have a contact with a deployed unit (usually a SNCO) that we can use to send gift boxes and have them distributed, let us know and we'll make the information available. If you have a family member or friend deployed, take a look at the gift suggestions and shipping tips and send something to them.

If nothing else, consider sending a donation to one of the organizations listed below that work tirelessly to make sure our troops know they're not forgotten.

Current Contacts

A Navy Dog Handler at CAMP ARENA HERAT, Afghanistan, willing to accept packages and distribute them to his unit

NEW LISTING 12/2/2011 A Marine with 2/11 willing to accept packages for his unit

NEW LISTING 12/8/2011 A Marine with 3/1

more to come soon

or e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for complete mailing addresses

Other Ways to Send Cheer

If you can't get a box or card mailed off but still want to let our men and women know you're thinking of them, consider making a donation to one of the great organizations that work every day to let the troops know they're not forgotten:

Tips From the Post Office - Good All Year Long

Bringing the Holidays to Military Men and Women

SPECIAL INFO: ANY SHIPMENT USING A BOX MARKED PRIORITY MAIL , EXCEPT THE SMALL OR ENVELOPE SIZES, REQUIRE A LONG CUSTOMS FORM: 2976-A. THIS FORM IS A PAIN TO FILL OUT IN LINE AT THE POST OFFICE. YOU CAN FIND AN ONLINE VERSION OF THE FORM AT http://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/

THE SITE CREATES A PDF FILE WITH 5 COPIES OF THE FORM WHICH CAN THEN BE PRINTED AND SUBMITTED (ALL FIVE COPIES) WITH THE PACKAGE.

Recommended Mailing Dates to APO/FPO Addresses

WASHINGTON — For military service members stationed around the globe, holiday gifts are a big morale boost. To help the families and friends of U.S. military personnel, the Postal Service offers a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box.

The recommended mailing date for the most economical postage to overseas military installations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, is Nov. 12. As of November 17th, the Post Office will no longer accept mail for troops stationed in Iraq.

Gift Wish List From Afghanistan

Here's some gift suggestions from "Major Pain", a Marine in Afghanistan and milblogger. Let's let our men and women know that the people here remember them and appreciate the heck out of what they're doing.

major pain

GIFT SUGGESTIONS FROM “MAJOR PAIN” AT http://www.onemarinesview.com/one_marines_view/

The best advice I give to people that want to send things to service members is first, stay within a budget. The last thing we want is you to be between a rock and a hard spot, especially now.

Send when you can and send the items that matter the most. That brings me to probably the most important meat of this, “What are really important items to send”

Foothills Detachment 469