Does anyone have any updated information regarding the models to send to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan? I am interested in sending over some models and possibly taking up a collection for this fund and I am looking for any updated contacts or mailing addresses that anyone may have. I am former army infantry…did 2 tours of duty in Iraq and wish I would have had a model club or models to do while I was there. Please send me any information on how to send supplies to the troops. Sincerely, SPC Lee Hockenberry United States Army Infantry HOOOAH
IPMS has excellent info, click on Support Our Troops on their main page:
HHHUMM anyone interested???..Harv
When I sent a whole lot of models to our troops, a couple hundred or so, I found that I could drop them off at the local VFW hall in grocery bags or large boxes and the VFW members would box them, in USPS Priority boxes, and do all the required Customs paperwork. This service was provided free and saved me a lot of postage. I provided the address and/or area to send the models to and they did the rest. Even sent some to the VA homes this way.
A special thanks to all who care to donate to our troops in this way. It’s a very small price to pay for what these people do. And…it gives you a warm “fuzzy” in return [:D] !
Just to let you know I have been around on the receiving end of these model shipments and the majority end up on Ebay. At least thats what happens on my camp. Also unless they are shipped to a specific address they usually are not delivered and end up in the dumps over there.
I hope you’re kidding! I’ve sent numerous boxes to the troops. I would hate to think they end up on eBay!
No sir I am not Kidding. BUT all I can say is this is what happens at the Camp I work at and I’ve been here over a year now and went through several cycles of Marines and Army troops. As for the other camps I don’t know for sure. But I’ve heard rumors though.
My dad and I send them to a specific soldier and he distributes them to his modeling buddies. We are 100% positive they get them and build them.
Dan
I assume that is why most of the organizations give a specific POC in order to make sure they get to people who actually want and need them.
I just thought I would update everyone. I e-mailed the soldier coordinating the models for our troops in Baghdad that was on the IPMS website, and received a response. They keep a collection of kits to build, along with paints and supplies. He said he would send some my way for me to work on. So it seems that if some are ending up on e-bay, by no means are all of them ending up there. So, as was mentioned, if you want to send, make sure you know who you are sending to, and don’t let the rumors dissuade you.
I am slowly asking around if there are others who are interested in building some, and so far have gotten a couple of positive responses. I don’t know that we are going to be a “club” of any type, but we should have something to occupy our down time.
He did mention that they have a lot of aircraft, some armor, but very few cars.
Send the POC who is looking for car kits my info and I will get with my club to see if we can send some car kits his way. If he’s got access to AKO, just have him email me from that email address. I should be fairly easy to find on AKO, the only Gronovius listed.
Note, only 2 “o” in the spelling of the last name. I get people telling me all the time that my email address is no good because they spell the name with 3 “o”.
Rob, sorry I didn’t respond more quickly, but here is the information for the POC in Iraq.
Baghdad Hobby Club
c/o MSG Brian Allen
HQ, MNC-1 (FSC)
18th Airborne Corps.
APO AE 09342
e-mail: bexesbrian@yahoo.com
AKO is giving me fits tonight for some reason, but if I can get on, I will fire off a link to this thread to MSG Allen as well, with your info.