Models for our Servicemen

General Discussion Charity and Goodwill
1

This was originally posted in the Armor Forum, because i didn’t know that this forum was here.

I am about halfway through getting things together and thought I might share with the members of the forum what I am doing.

About a year and a half ago I was sitting at my computer, much like I am right now, and I was chatting with my cousin Nick. At the time, he was in Iraq with a little down time, and access to a computer. Now Nick is a pretty avid modeler, and was desperate to put something together. I’m not sure if you know this, but the LHS selection in Iraq is rather poor, so I asked him if he wanted me to send him a basic setup so that he would have something to do. He got very wound up, and told me that he would send me his next 6 months pay if I would send him something.

Well, I didn’t take his money, but I did find him a Kit of his dream car, a '68 Camaro, along with glue, paint, and some brushes. While shopping, I was chatting with the owner of the shop, and he went into the back, pulled out about a half dozen models, more paint, more glue, more brushes, and a few other things. He told me to tell Nick to hand it all out and have fun. I addition to all of that, he handed me a business card with a name and phone number on it for a friend of his that could get everything there on a transport.

That was the first batch! I am currently working on the third right now, and sitting on the desk beside me is a stack of letters from servicemen in Iraq. We seem to have a LOT of guys over there that love to build, and need a little slice of home.

I have a favor to ask of you, the forum members. I am not asking for donations, stashes, supplies, or anything like that (although, it is welcome, provided that that is acceptable to FSM and the forum moderators).

What I am asking for is letters. Do me a favor and sit down, grab a pen, and write a letter to an American Soldier. It doesn’t matter who it is, or where they are fighting, or what branch they are in. The content of the letter doesn’t really matter, either. Just write what falls out of your head. Let our men and women in uniform know that you appreciate what they are doing and that you are thinking about them.

If you would like to contribute, I am thinking of two ways that will work, you can either write the letter here, and send me a PM with the letter (I will then print it out and put it in an envelope), or let me know that you want write, and I will give you my address in a PM so you can send it to me to put in the box.

My plan is to have this box and take it to Andrews AFB on or around February 1st. I have about 25 kits, and a ton of supplies going this time. I’d love to be able to stuff it with letters, too!

Wanna help me out?

I am also looking for addresses and contacts for other areas of operation that our men and women in Camo wouldn’t be able to get these things (Afghanistan, Kosovo, etc…). I would really like to ‘spread the wealth’ if I can.

Steve

2

I managed to loose my message so this could be a repeat. Address and E-mail address, please. I have a number of 1/72nd single engine aircraft in storage, and it is time to let them “fly” away. 1/35th military vehicles are also a possibility.

Will mail after after the holiday season.

Jack JaccobKMiller@ATT.Net

3

PM sent, MAhwah.

and thank you!

Steve

4

Recently the owner of my LHS let me know that he would match kit for kit what was donated. Through family and friends, and my very generous LHS owner (who wishes to be wonderful anonymously), we are currently up to 42 kits, and about $120 in supplies. Sometimes I really love this world!

All I am requesting on these forums is letters to our servicemen and servicewomen, nothing more. So if you would like to write a letter, just drop me a line!

I thank you again for all that have offered letters and friendship! Merry Christmas to all!

-Steve

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn’t quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

“What are you doing?” I asked without fear,
“Come in this moment, it’s freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!”
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts…

To the window that danced with a warm fire’s light
Then he sighed and he said “Its really all right,
I’m out here by choice. I’m here every night.”
"It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I’m proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, “That’s a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.”
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ‘Nam’,
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I’ve not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he’s sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue… an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother…
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

" So go back inside," he said, “harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I’ll be all right.”
"But isn’t there something I can do, at the least,
“Give you money,” I asked, “or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you’ve done,
For being away from your wife and your son.”

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
“Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we’re gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.”

~anonymous

5

Finally have a date on when I am heading to Andrews, so if anyone else wanted to add a letter to the boxes, PM me, and I will give you my address. I will be heading down there on Valentines day!

With my favorite LHS closing down, and donations from Family, friends, and others, I will be sending 68 Kits, tons of paints and supplies, and a whole lot of letters.

I also made an excellent connection at Ft. Monroe in Virginia who is going to expedite any future shipments. With Two Stars on his lapel, I think that he just might have the pull to do it! LOL

I want to offer a very sincere Thank you to those on the forum who have sent me letters and other items for our Men and Women playing in the sandbox!

Steve

6

Hi,

I have a number of kits (aircraft, autos and armor) that I’d like to add to your shipment to our troups for Valentines day. I work about 10 miles from Andrews AFB

Please email me if you are interested. tdpike@gmail.com

7

hi, I have a box with model mags and kits I would like to send to our troops. What is your address so I can get the items to them? Would really like it to get to the troops in the sandbox! Thanks much

jbc3335@aol.com