Every day we are reminded
of the continuing war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each news broadcast gives
updates on the terrors and casualties. Yellow ribbons and patriotic signs
catch our eye in yards and on vehicles. Everyone either has family members
or friends in the service, or knows someone who does. Billboards and recruiting
ads, movies, TV shows, even video games give a constant barrage of the
trials and horrors of war and the everyday heroes who serve in the armed
forces. With all these reminders, how is it that our men and women are
so easily overlooked, passed over or forgotten while they are in service
and at war for our country?
One local woman is doing something about it. As Angel Ramsey explains
in her own words, “I decided to start this website after reading
a thank you letter that was sent to my place of work from a woman's son
who was in Iraq. He was so grateful to receive a gift from home, but also
said that he shared the items with other soldiers because most of them
don't get packages. I wanted to change that. I wanted to do something
to help.”
With her skills and talent as a “webmaster,” Angel has created
a website that is already doing something to help. The web project was
just launched October 2, and already Angel is filling up her spare time
with reading and sending email, updating the website, and “keeping
in touch with the troops.”
Troopcarepackage.com offers a lot of opportunities to remember our service
members. As Angel points out, so many people want to help but don’t
know how. The website offers several ways to “connect us with them.”
Angel began collecting information on deployed troops, mailing addresses,
email addresses, interests and needs. She has compiled a mailing list
and anyone interested in being a military pen-pal or care-package provider
may fill out the online request form to sponsor a soldier and receive
contact information from the list.
For those who want to help but are limited in time or funds, Angel has
arranged for donations to be made securely through the website with Pay
Pal or credit card. 100 percent of the donations are used to purchase
care-package items and cover shipping costs.
The site also offers suggestions for starting a donation bin at local
schools, churches, stores, etc., for collection of donated care-package
items. This is a great way for organizations such as a scout troop, church
youth group, or perhaps a Senior Citizens center to send several packages
to a list of service members. A growing list of preferred care-package
items is available at the website and anyone is welcome to submit suggestions
to add to the wish-list. Angel requests that photos and brief articles
describing your individual or group projects be submitted to share on
the website.
Family and friends of a deployed loved one are invited to submit the service
person’s shipping and/or email address so they can be included in
the site’s database of military members interested in receiving
a care package. A form is provided on the webpage to enter the pertinent
information.
Another unique and fun way to communicate with service members overseas
is the random e-mail pen pal feature on troopcarepackage.com. Just click
on the “troop pen pal” to receive an email address, name,
branch of the service and home town or a soldier interested in receiving
email messages, and you can start connecting us to them right away! There
is also a message board that visitors to the site can post to for ongoing
discussions between military and civilians. Troops can even download photos
to share with visitors to the website.
In case you are not into computers but still want to participate in Angel’s
Troop Care Package project, write to:
Troop Care Package
c/o Angel Ramsey
148 Old Route 53
Morrisdale, PA 16858
If you are writing to be a sponsor, please include a self address stamped
envelope and Angel will send you the name and address of a deployed troop
interested in hearing from home.
Here are just a couple of the many posts on the site from deployed soldiers
who have either visited the site or already received care packages or
mail from home.
I would like to thank you for doing this for us one of the best feelings
out here is when you hear your name at mail call because you know that
someone cares enough to take time to send you something because you are
in their hearts. People never give enough credit to the people who support
us while we are out here. SPC Alvarez
I was looking at your site and saw
what you do. And it's people like you that make a difference.
Probably more than you will ever possibly imagine.
The fact that you get a care package from a complete stranger who doesn't
know you but still took the time and effort to put something together
and it has items you can use for yourself and to share with those that
haven't got anything is in a way a humbling experience. In a time of war
it helps conserve the human being in us by showing us that some people
still give with their heart and soul.
I don't know if Uncle Sam will ever say thank you or if high ranking officials
will appreciate what you do..................but let me say thank you,
from the bottom of my heart, not just from me but on behalf of all those
that I have served with who got a sample of your caring generosity and
love. Thank You !!!!
A care package is something all troops will remember, even many years
after all is over. That’ the effect it has. Not to mention on the
morale of a troop.
Once again, thank you and God Bless You !!!
A. C., U.S. Air Force
Written by Theresa Dunlap,
first published in the West Branch Review, October/November 2005 issue