Free military mail, Bringing holiday spirit beyond Canada

[Dacre]

Sorry I must have missed the bouncing cursor.

[Roy Wilson]

This is part of an email I received today from the CCD Thank you for your email and your past support of Operation Rudolph. The project was launched in 2005 when very few people knew our troops were in Afghanistan and the government of the day did little to support them.

Since then, the troop numbers have increased to 2500 and CCD felt that it would best to allow others with better left capacity to continue the program.

So that's what happened to Operation Rudolph. We need to do better. There has to be a way to skirt the anti support the troops attitude of our DND. Even if you go to the web site it is not that clear or simple to figure out what can be done. And then they just discourage it with the "lift capacity" line. I get the feeling that the CCD was told to drop it. There must be other means of delivery. With the proper support and effort I would think that we could get approval for something more. Any insiders have any helpful hints?

That sucks.
Let me check with a clerk at Trenton.

[Dacre]

Thanks Roy.

[Dacre]

Well I went and spoke to some people in the military this morning. They are adamant about sending gift packages etc. to the troops. They recommend cards and letters. They told me about the lack of lift capacity which is the explanation on the web site. They also are concerned about security. They say they can't trust things that are sent haven't been tampered with. The suggestion was to follow the Cannex recomendations on the web site. Just before I left for work the CMFRC called me. So I took the opportunity to ask about sending gifts etc. The woman told me that there are alot of people that are trying to do things but are running into a wall. She wrote down my name to add to the list of people trying to break the log jam so as to try and change the current situation. So sorry to disappoint but the military at this point is sticking to their guns so to speak and we are very limited as to our options. Maybe things will change in the future. Then again maybe our deployment will end in 2009 and we can all forget about our military again.

[Dacre]

Bump

[Roy Wilson]

Well I went and spoke to some people in the military this morning. They are adamant about sending gift packages etc. to the troops. They recommend cards and letters. They told me about the lack of lift capacity which is the explanation on the web site. They also are concerned about security. They say they can't trust things that are sent haven't been tampered with. The suggestion was to follow the Cannex recomendations on the web site. Just before I left for work the CMFRC called me. So I took the opportunity to ask about sending gifts etc. The woman told me that there are alot of people that are trying to do things but are running into a wall. She wrote down my name to add to the list of people trying to break the log jam so as to try and change the current situation. So sorry to disappoint but the military at this point is sticking to their guns so to speak and we are very limited as to our options. Maybe things will change in the future. Then again maybe our deployment will end in 2009 and we can all forget about our military again.

Hiting the same wall, makes me puke.

[Dacre]

It's unfortunate to say the least. But this is Canada. The government is supposed to look after everything. The idea of private citizens doing their bit probably never occured to leftist bureaucrats. I'll send cards and attend fundraisers and donate as always but the gift packages seem to be out of the question. Merry Christmas.

[Roy Wilson]

It's unfortunate to say the least. But this is Canada. The government is supposed to look after everything. The idea of private citizens doing their bit probably never occured to leftist bureaucrats. I'll send cards and attend fundraisers and donate as always but the gift packages seem to be out of the question. Merry Christmas.

[Phi]

Well I went and spoke to some people in the military this morning. They are adamant about sending gift packages etc. to the troops. They recommend cards and letters. They told me about the lack of lift capacity which is the explanation on the web site. They also are concerned about security. They say they can't trust things that are sent haven't been tampered with. The suggestion was to follow the Cannex recomendations on the web site. Just before I left for work the CMFRC called me. So I took the opportunity to ask about sending gifts etc. The woman told me that there are alot of people that are trying to do things but are running into a wall. She wrote down my name to add to the list of people trying to break the log jam so as to try and change the current situation. So sorry to disappoint but the military at this point is sticking to their guns so to speak and we are very limited as to our options. Maybe things will change in the future. Then again maybe our deployment will end in 2009 and we can all forget about our military again.

How sad.

I was lucky enough to reach a soldier through the Merry Band of Patriots, on FR.
It turned out that the American soldier who received my package had one set of Grandparents in Canada.
We became friends, and I was honoured to brighten his days with every package I sent.
He's back now, and building his life here.
I am proud to know him.
I hope he and his wife have kids.
Many!

It doesn't matter to me that he was an American, it mattered to me that he was putting his life on the line, so that I could live my life in safety.

[Dacre]

That's a great story Phi. I've sent gift packages to US soldiers as well. I forget the program I supported last year. I'd have to look it up. I'm surprised you found out who the recipient was. "It doesn't matter to me that he was an American, it mattered to me that he was putting his life on the line, so that I could live my life in safety." My sentiments exactly. As difficult as they make it I won't let it discourage me from doing whatever little things I can when I can. I haven't yet this year but I will likely make a contribution to one of the US programs.

[Dacre]

Thanks Roy.

[Phi]

That's a great story Phi. I've sent gift packages to US soldiers as well. I forget the program I supported last year. I'd have to look it up. I'm surprised you found out who the recipient was. "It doesn't matter to me that he was an American, it mattered to me that he was putting his life on the line, so that I could live my life in safety." My sentiments exactly. As difficult as they make it I won't let it discourage me from doing whatever little things I can when I can. I haven't yet this year but I will likely make a contribution to one of the US programs.

I was lucky/trusted enough to be given a good address to"Any Soldier'.
I included a letter that he responded to.

Some times, you just get lucky.

Hat tip to Patty.

[Dacre]

Good work Phi.