Support for our Soldiers

[Guest Bluemax]

A very good friend of the Warden's and I contacted us today about her younger brother, who's deployed in Afaghanistan at the moment. Our friend is putting together care packages to send to the guys and asked my betterhalf if I could scrounge up some gun magazines. Our friend told the warden they had everything else covered but if you think of anything a young man away from home might miss, please contribute. No girly books please as much as they would like to have them and as much as I would like to send them, these are no no's If you are in within 50 miles of Knoxville I can p/u

Thanks Max

[Guest SUNTZU]

How many men in his outfit?

[brooksjr]

I can paypal you $20 and you can go buy the magazines. It would be as cheap for me as shipping a bunch of them.

Edited March 22, 2010 by brooksjr

[dralarms]

Do the NRA mags count? If so I can donate a crapper full of them. I'm pretty sure I have every issue since I joined.

[Guest Bluemax]

How many men in his outfit?

10 to 15

[Guest SUNTZU]

I can either pick up magazines or give you the cash and you pick. Either way I'm in. I'll send you a PM.

[Erik88]

All they need is gun magazines? I wouldn't mind helping out.

[Guest Bluemax]

Hi everyone. This is the warden speaking not bluemax.

Thank you so much for all of your responses. We are overwhelmed by your generosity for someone you have never met. Getting teary eyed again thinking about it. I will try and answer some questions.

Our friends brother just deployed to Afaghanistan. My friend had compiled a list of things that we are going to be sending over the next few months. She wants to send packages I think every 3 weeks or so. I know that may sound excessive but I think receiving a package more often will help give him something to look forward too rather than just sending it all out in one single package.

I saw magazines on the list and thought that some gun magazines would be something they would enjoy. The prisoner who would hold onto a pop tab for a year if I allowed him too, usually has gun mags laying around. I did not know when I said we would donate those mags that the prisoner had given them to a cell mate next door. So all we have right now is a couple Popular Science mags and a Rifleman left.

There are other things on the list:

coffee (I thought the Army supplied that but maybe they are getting the crummy stuff?)

Individual sugar packets, artificial sweetners,powdered creamer

beef jerky/slim jims

mixed nuts

wheat thins/ritz crackers

variety box of snack size chips, cracker sandwhiches,easy cheese,granola bars, things like that

protein bars

tic tacs/gum/hard candy (no chocolate)

crystal light "on the go" packs

sunscreen

chap stick

deodorant, shaving cream, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, razors,aloe

magazines/deck of cards

baby wipes

pictures drawn by children are also a nice gesture

I have attached a picture of a receipt from Kroger (ignore my green arrows that was for a friend) on a deal I got a month ago on some things. This ticket has 1 Crest Toothpaste, 2 Reach Toothbrushes, 2 Reach Flosses, 1 Dove Deodorant, 1 Wisk 50 oz. Liquid Laundry Detergent, 1 All 50 oz. Laundry Detergent. Total out of pocket expense $3.68 cents and $1.63 cents of that was tax.

My point is I hate to see you all spend your hard earned dollars on stuff that I can obtain for pennies on the dollar when the right deal comes along combined with the proper coupon. Anything is appreciated even if it is simply a written letter thanking a soldier you never met for serving our country and allowing us to have our freedoms. As I said we are overwhelmed at the responses we got about our request for magazines. Thank you so much.

[Guest Bluemax]

Oh and also he will be sharing with about 10 to 15 of his friends. This isn't just for him. The prisoner is going to kill me when he finds out that I jacked his thread. Oh well. He's out working on the chain gang right now. I won't have to worry about him until lockdown tonight!

[Guest SUNTZU]

Do any of the guys have Sony PSP's or Nintendo DS'? I think games can be bought on the cheap at most used game places. I've also heard that clip on lights and Mini mags are a much desired item.

Here's some ideas. I know we have a lot of current and returned veterans who could chime in on a Wish List too.

Austin Bay Blog Advice For A Troop Deploying To Iraq

Deployment Gear List - Shopping

[Guest Bluemax]

Do any of the guys have Sony PSP's or Nintendo DS'? I think games can be bought on the cheap at most used game places. I've also heard that clip on lights and Mini mags are a much desired item.

Here's some ideas. I know we have a lot of current and returned veterans who could chime in on a Wish List too.

Austin Bay Blog Advice For A Troop Deploying To Iraq

Deployment Gear List - Shopping

It's the warden again. Prisoner is still on his work release program and hasn't got back to the cell yet.

I don't know if they have any games or not but that is a very good suggestion if they do. I will have to get with his sister and ask about that. I think we have a clip on light here at the house. It is one that you attach to a book. As a matter of fact I think we may have 2 I will have to look. And they could certainly have those. I just thought that since bluemax had gun magazines a bunch of you guys would have them too and that it would be right up their alley for the latest reading and technology concerning guns. I just can't go back to the neighbor and ask for them even though it is for a great cause. I thought that would be kinda cheesey. I will look at the links you posted and see what else is highly desirable. Thanks so much for the links!

[Guest SUNTZU]

No problem, just brainstorming. Keep me posted. I'll be calling whoever gave me the number sometime tomorrow or Thursday.