News about my son~he has arrived in afganistan

[SaraSmiles]

I would like to thank those here that have asked how my son is doing and for his address. I finally i received his address.
He is in Afganistan as of Monday. He said, Mama i havent received a card, letter r anything. Bless his heart.
If u r interested in sending him a card r happy please email me @ [email protected] r [email protected].
I am a disabled mom of one. I am very proud of him. I hope many of u will help me by sending him letters and cards over the next 6 months r one card would really make his day.
He just can not have anything that will melt r be perishable. We got him an MP3 player. He did say he would like to have more music to listen too on his off time. The water over there is very bad. They put iodine in the water. Ewwww!!!
I have been traveling back and forth. I havent been online lately. I could read a book about the misfortune i have had lately. I have to keep my favorite 82nd Airborne guy's spirits up now.
Dont forget to support our troops!! :)

[jcw]

Glad to hear he arrived safe but sorry that he has to be there.Tell him thanks for me and that I appreciate his service for his country

[HaveKids,LostMind]

Hats off to your brave guy! I bet you are the proudest Mom on earth. And believe me, I definitely support our troops! My guy used to be in 1st Cav. and he did his time overseas too.

[sharinbo]

I sent you an email :-)

[sadie01]

I TOO WILL BE E-MAILING YOU...I HAVE A VERY GOOD FRIEND IN THE ARMY WHO I HAVENT SPOKE TO IN SEVERAL YEARS. I AM AFRAID HE IS OVER THERE AS WELL.AND WHEN HE LEFT, ALL OF HIS OLD FRIENDS DIDN'T SPEAK TO HIM, EXCEPT ME AND MAYBE 2 OTHERS.
I THINK ABOUT HIM AND OUR OTHER BOYS OVER THERE ON A DAILY BASIS. IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, I THINK AUBREY IS AIRBORNE TOO... I AM NOT SURE.

[ajksmom]

You have mail...:D

[kybeauty]

i too will be emailing you..would love to send him a card!! I will also keep your family in my prayers

[DeeTee]

Sent you an email.

[tina z]

((((((((((((sarasmiles and son))))))))))))) Thank you for serving our country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[heartlvrs]

Glad to hear he arrived safe but sorry that he has to be there.Tell him thanks for me and that I appreciate his service for his country


As a Former Marine...DITTO!!!!

[SaraSmiles]

Thank u so much for all the wonderful comments!! I received your emails. Yippee! A burden has been lifted. 3 ladies r sending cards, one lady and her hubby r going to make him music for his MP3 player and another is going to send him a goody box.
I will let him know how everyone that posted support him and i know this will make his day.
I am out of town. I am borrowing a computer. Sorry, i just disappeared. It is just a difficult time for me and i know for all the family and friends of our troops.
I have always supported our troops. I just never thought my son would be overseas fighting a war. I am proud of him.
Thanks so much for the emails and the posts here. I know my son will thank u. :)

[queenofquitealot]

Youve got mail;)

[SaraSmiles]

I hope everyone that responded as received an email from w/ his address. Also, i have a list of things he needs if anyone is interested i could post them.
U might have extras r something. My heart swells with pride reading each post. Thanks so much.
I cant wait for my son to start receiving cards and the goodie boxes some of the kind ladies and even a few of their hubbies r helping with.
Then, i will let him know where it all is coming from. Cause he will be calling Momma. I hope i hear his voice soon.
Thanks again for sending you BBS name. Cause, i want to keep up and thank each and everyone here.
I do not know what i would do w/o my online freebie friends. Ya'll r what gets me though. I cant not thank everyone for their support.
Big hugs~~

[SaraSmiles]

Ravenlost, i just emailed his address and list. Thank u so much for asking. I think we have adopted a soldier. This has kept me busy too. Great therapy for the worried Mom. Hugs to ALL!!!!

I am going to post the list. A card r an item whatever would mean alot to him. I always try to put in a coloring picture from my godchild r a pic of one of the children in my cards. He is homesick already. Very proud of his country. :)

> >*Gatorade--in bottle-- lemon lime flavor(the water has feces in it so
the
military puts in iodine. So, everything is like drinking iodine)
> >*flourence bulbs-- F4T5 (they have no electricity )
> >*Batteries- 4 D
> >*Lever 2000 soap --antibacterial Moisture Response
> >*Crest Toothpaste- multicare whitening fresh mint
> >*Old Spice deodarant-high endurance red zone
> >*Dr Scholl shoe insoles for work boots
> >*Mach 3 razors
> >*bug spray-Deet100(no sure about this one)
> >*Finesse--shampoo and condioner for fine hair
> >*Purell Hand Sanitizer
> >*lip balm with sunscreen
> >*Sunscreen--45-50 spf(the temps get over 118 during the day and go into
freezing at night
** Phone cards
> >*he also can have anything that does not melt r is perishable-- he loves
wethers, tootsie roll pops, his fav is chocolate chip cookies(cant figure
out to get those to him)
***(update) They have boiling water. They can have hot chocolate w/ marshmellows, Rami noodles and thinks like that!! :D
Something, like beef jerky, maybe a pound cake would make it over in time dont u think. I have been racking my brain for non perishable food items.
Also, he loves Dean Kootz. He took 4 books and he has read them all. He was delayed in going over and read his books. So any Dean Kootz fans that would be a wonderful happy. If anyone else can think of anything. This items were off the top of his hand. He didnt mention lotion either. :) Plus, any Marlboro Light coupons please let me know. Yes, i know its an awful habit, but i will fuss when he gets back on American soil. :)

[BrightEyes]

Sara, email me a list of candy he likes and the books he took with him so we can look at thrift stores and stuff for ones he doesnt have. Since our girl scout troop plans to adopt him we will send him monthly boxes of candy and a book or two to keep him busy :) You have my home email, <roger and Melissa> if not let me know here and I will email you again. We begin meeting in a little over two weeks so I will start looking for books, and asking my scout moms if they have any to donate.

Melissa

[SaraSmiles]

Thanks so much, Melissa. How sweet. Good deeds for the Girl Scouts. I was a Brownie and then a Girl Scout. Right now, its seems like a million years ago.
I will try to find out which books he took. I am sure they r newer since he just brought them.
He also like other authors. I think he is like his mom, horror stories. All his books r packed up now so i cant make a list. I have no idea where that box is.
I do know he will reread them. The older Dean Kootz and theres a lady author. Cause after my botched hysterectomy at 30, he said Mom u need to read again. Well, i cant retain the first page anymore.
I think the authors name is Patricia Cromwell, he use to read Stephen King. i havent seen him read anything by him in a long time.
I will try to get that together. I wish he would call. Well, he did call last night and we were disconnected. :(
Ok, when the board when into maint. mode. lol Michael loves wethers, resins, peppermint candy would be good for his throat.(my grandma always gave us peppermint when we had a sore throat). He loves chocolate and cookies. Gum is like trident, Big Red. I bet M&M;s would make it over. Melts in your mouth not in your hands. ;)

[SaraSmiles]

Please delete. I was posting when board went into maint. mode. :eek:

[SaraSmiles]

Please delete. I was posting when board went into maint. mode. :eek:

[SaraSmiles]

He cant remember all the Dean Kootz books he has read. I am sure he would reread. I am trying to get that info. I found a great price on Torch by Dean Kootz. He reads others authors.
I am working on it. I do have a list of some of the bands he listens too for anyone that asked me about making a MP3.
I been under the weather. I havent been on much and today i signed on and checked my trial AOL and saw that i owed them 303.00 dollars. I almost feel out. :eek:

[SaraSmiles]

Good news, my son finally called for a couple minutes. Since, the fighting broke out we havent heard a word.
I have been beside myself w/ worry. Melessa, i do not know what books he took over. I am sure they were newer Dean Kootz. I will try to find out.
Alot is going on over there now. Its an open phone line. So, he unable to tell us what is going on.
Someone emailed me about sending a phone card. Oh, please do. He needs phone cards. I have searched and searched for the email r pm.
I am having a health crisis right now. So, i am on as much as possible to check in.
Thanks for all the support. I can not wait for him to start getting cards, letters and the goody boxes that r being sent.
Hopefully, we will hear from him soon. They r moving around. He will receive his mail. Please keep those cards and letters coming.
Keep him and our troops in your thoughts and prayers. Hugs to everyone that has posted r emailed. It means so very much to me and my son. He knows, we r thinking about him. :)

[SaraSmiles]

My son has started to get your cards and letters. The connection was bad. I do believe he said he got a pkg from Toney???
I want to thank everyone that has cheered him up. It has meant so much to Michael.
Shows that we really care for our troops. He does show his cards and goodies.
Please keep the cards and letters going to Afganistan. My computer crashed. I apologize for not posting earlier.
I keep getting that bbs is being updated. I finally got in thru email. :D
Hugs to everyone that has emailed me. I cant get in my aimfree account either. Please email me at [email protected] r [email protected] . Thank u all so much. :)

[ksjayhawkfan]

Im emailing you now. I dont know how I missed this post but I have some Dean Koontz books I will gladly send him!

[Widgetsx3]

You have mail

[Angel~Chihuahua]

please email me with his address

[email protected]

put BBS in the subject line. thanks :)

[SaraSmiles]

Thanks, for the mail. Did everyone receive my email? My aimfree account still does not work. I have emailed them but still havent heard a word.
My son is enjoying hearing from everyone. Thanks so much!!!! :)

[Angelbear3]

E-mailed you!! [email protected]

[CARROLIN]

I KNOW OF YOUR WORRIES...

RANDY SR. HAS BEEN IN THE NAVY FOR OVER 22 YRS. NOW,

AND RANDY JR. IS CONTEMPLATING ON JOINING THE MARINES.

I WILL E-MAIL YOU SHORTLY, AS I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THESE

PACKAGES ARE. STAY STRONG MOMMA, FOR HIM.

LOVIN' HUGS SENT TO YOU.

ALWAYS, THE SELBY FAMILY.

[SaraSmiles]

Thanks, CARROLIN for the support and understanding. I dont know how u do it and now Randy Jr. wanting to go in.
My son wanted to serve his country. He just didnt know war was going. Big reality right now.
I am staying as strong as possible. When he calls every now and then, i just never tell him anything really bad. No need to worry him there is nothing he can do anything way over there.
BTW, my aimfree account doesnt work and i am unable to edit my post for some reason. Please email me @ [email protected] r [email protected] .
Thanks for all the support. I have kept busy emailing everyone lately and moving from the south to the north. I have so many things to do and i am still in a daze. :)

[SaraSmiles]

Just checking in. Sheesh!! These phone calls r coming too far apart. Any imput would be appreciated. :)

[SaraSmiles]

Michael wants to thank each and every person here they sent him support cards, letters and goody boxes.
He was amazed and admired by his fellow soldiers. They also enjoyed in the candy and cards.
A big thanks from Michael and the troops. Thanks for cheering up my son and keep those cards and letters coming. :)

[ksjayhawkfan]

I just wanted to let you know that I mailed a box out yesterday:) Had several books and lots of candy and treats and stuff lol. :D

[SaraSmiles]

Ravenlost, i think both. lol He is very excited about mail now. He really missed it. Thank each and everyone that has send a card, note, letter and pkg.
This had meant so much to him and to me. It sure makes him understand more of why he is over there. For us. He is our GI Michael.
Thanks for "adopting' a soldier. And he appreciates each and every kind work. He is just a bit busy now.
ksjayhawkfan, thanks for letting me know. He will have 'mail' in 14 days.
I have found some really wonderful people here that really do care. It has helped me so much and Michael too.
No one had heard from him in a few days. So, please think of him and our other troops.
Blessings to u all!! :)

[SaraSmiles]

He is getting pkgs and cards. He is so happy that he means so much to so many people that care. A big thanks from Michael to all u ladies, and some husbands and the kids that have joined in. Thanks again!! Please stay in touch!! Hugs~~
Support Our Troops!!

[SaraSmiles]

Ravenlost, he is usually the life of the party. The other soldiers did notice he was getting MAIL. He is sharing his pkgs. I taught him to share when he was very young. ;)
If anyone knows of that site that had free calling cards for the military. Please let me know the link. Thanks. :)


Thank u, ksjayhawkfan!! He will receive your pkgs in about 2 weeks. He really does need cheering up. I can tell he is homesick. And by gosh, i dont blame him.

[SaraSmiles]

My son called this morning. Yippee!! I was so happy to hear his voice. He said, Mom, u have some wonderful friends on the internet.
He said, he has received some pkgs and lots of cards. He said, some of the pkgs didnt have names r a note in them.
He is so thankful to everything that thought of him. He said, he was trying to write thank u but there just isnt time. He is very busy keeping us safe. :)
The connection wasnt that good. He tried to tell me some names that he has like Donna, Powers family, Sharpe family, Marie, and so many others. Hugs to all. Please keep and our troops in your thoughts!! :)

[music]

It is so nice that so many people sent packages. I'm sure that many others here would be willing to send out cards and/or packages to any of the other soldiers that are stationed with him. If he knows of others that could use a card or care package perhaps he could let you know and you could pass on the info. Just a thought, I don't know how that all works so I'm not sure if that can be done. It would be great if we could get a few packages out to them for the holidays.

I only know of this website where you can email
http://www.operationuplift.com/html/our_pals.html

[Ladytiger]

You've got mail:p

[SaraSmiles]

music, i have talked to him 3 times since he has been over there. i dont get but a few bad connection minutes. and the phones lines r open lines, so he can not give out addresses. He does share what he receives and people have put in cards and letters to the other soldiers.
i will try to get addresses if possible. but, that is viewed as a national security issue. if u want to send cards to other soldiers please send them in with my sons and he will give them to another soldier.
thanks, ladytiger for the email. u r just a wonderful person. U really cheered me up. Catlady, thanks for checking on me. I have been very :( lately and worried. I pray for all our troops and they so appreciate hearing from everyone.
Hugs to all~:)

[SaraSmiles]

Thanks, LadyTiger. U have mail now? Please let me know if u received my email. :D

[mannerswife]

Sarasmiles - Please email me his [email protected] . Please also put bbs addy in the subject line so I don't accidentally delete it.

[SaraSmiles]

I sure will. Thanks for reminding me. I just love when i get email from someone and beside their name is BBS. :)

[SaraSmiles]

My son has been promoted. They r still out in the desert somewhere. No phone @ his station. He has been trying to write some thank u notes and he has lost part of his note pad.
So, if u do not receive one, please let me know and i will mail him your address.
He does appreciate your cards and care pkgs so much as do the other soldiers. :)

*I am looking for the lady that said she has plenty of Dr. Scholl's insole the ones with the red. Also, the lady that said she had phone cards. Please email me [email protected] r [email protected] and put BBS in the subject line. Thank u so much. Hugs *

[SaraSmiles]

He sends his thanks, Ravenlost. :) I get bits and pieces of any conversations w/ him
All the support he has received here has bolsters his spirts and his follow troops. They send their thanks.
Thanks to the support, he is doing well as can be expected. He did get a promotions and he is another notch higher on his E whatever.
I wish someone would explain all that to me. Please dont forget him.
Hugs,
Sara :)

[SaraSmiles]

I was rereading. As i said before, he does pass on notes and shares his goodies. He never was selfish. Not even with his toys when he was little. :)
He appreciates, each card, letter, pkg r box of goodies. As do our other soldiers. They have a little party when their pkgs and boxes of goodies come on. Share their letters and pictures. It is very important that they all know we care.
He was really trying to send a little thank u note. If, he hasnt sent u one, its because he has lost some of his pages on his notebook. He was really trying to keep up.
Some of the boxes were thrown away and some didnt have notes r anything but goodies in them.

Hugs,
Sara :)


*Please help me to keep this post bumped up. Thanks~~~

[MoodyBlues]

I just sent you an e-mail! I think it's wonderful how many people are getting together to help your son and the other soliders!

[Talanco]

I would love to be a penpal to your son. He sounds like a wonderful young man and I will support as well. I'm going to email you to get his address.
Kristie

[SaraSmiles]

Thanks for the emails. I emailed u back. So much, is going on lately. Its been just a dark cloud following me lately. :)

Thanks for being the silver linings. :)


Hugs,
Sara :)

[SaraSmiles]

*Note of thanks from my son*


We all are working very hard and diligently to put an end to this chaos.
Please keep us in your prayers and I know that we'll succeed.
Thanks for the "goodies" you've sent me!
I enjoyed everything and put all of it to use.
Take care and tell my Momma "hello!"

Sincerely,
Michael
82nd AIRBORNE

-Paratroopers ALL the Way - Specialist

[moocher]

I just found this thread!!! I would like to send your son and the guys in his troop some stuff too! I will send you an e-mail to get the address.

Does anyone know about how long it is taking for packages to arrive there?

You have mail!

[SaraSmiles]

Thanks i will go look. Letters & pkgs take about 2 weeks. Boxes take a little less time.
He said, my cookies were good. I heard from a little birdie. :)

[SaraSmiles]

moocher, did u get my email? i am just lost lately. :p

[moocher]

LOL-I did get your e-mail-but you forgot to send me the address! I did get him some chocolate today, and after halloween is over, the k-mart by my house sells the bags of candy bars for a dollar! So I'll mail him a package after halloween so he has lots to share!! Just send me his address and I'll be set!

[Angelbabym]

what about for christmas how about each of us make like 10 or so of those little stockings that cost like .40 , or make your own with felt, and filling em with little goodies, and sending them to em so that everyone feels like they get something (just an idea)

[SaraSmiles]

:o moocher, i am sorry. lol I am so ditzy lately. I will check on it today r email me again if u still need it.
Angelbabym, thats a great idea. Email r let me know if u still r interested in doing that. I cant sew a lick.
My mother when she was alive always makes those for us. They r so cute. If u need to know how many just please email me and i will let u know.
I think, he is still getting cards and letters. He was trying to send a note back as he can.
Keep our thoughts with our troops.
Hugs,
Sara :)


(i am sick w/ a upper respiratory infection. how is everyone else doing?)

[moocher]

Originally posted by Angelbabym
what about for christmas how about each of us make like 10 or so of those little stockings that cost like .40 , or make your own with felt, and filling em with little goodies, and sending them to em so that everyone feels like they get something (just an idea)

That's a great idea! I was trying to think of some way to send him a package with a bunch of individual packages for the troops with him-that way they would feel loke they were all getting a gift for christmas. So, I'm in for this one!!

I'll a-mail you tommorrow sarasmiles! I sure hope you're feeling better-this crazy weather is making a lot of people sick.

[SaraSmiles]

I know, i still have a upper respiratory infection. Breathing treatments every 4 hours. :eek:
I cant even sew a little stocking. About 10 yrs ago, i was going to make little stocking for everyone at work and i even put their names on them and i had to run to grandma. We worked together i cut and she sewed, i glued and she crocheted little handles so u could hook them.
I miss her so but your idea brought up happy memories. Thanks. :)

[socks1211]

I AM BUMPING THIS UP FOR U IT WAS ON PAGE 5 OR 6

[baileyboo]

Can we send unaddressed Christmas cards? I used to do operation dear abby...I thought maybe he could pass them around...

[SaraSmiles]

Thanks, marymink!! I really appreciate u bumping this thread up. I am still under the weather. Wondering if i am ER bound.
baileyboo, he would certainly pass them all out. that would be a wonderful thing to do.
email me when u get a chance @ [email protected] and i can give u a round about # to send. :)
Hugs,
Sara:)

[MommyG3]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ss and son}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[moocher]

I went to K-Mart today for the day after sale and got them all lots of candy and I made sure I got some snickers for Micheal!! Sure hope you're feeling better soon!

[SaraSmiles]

MommyG3, thanks for the hug. I sure needed it. Moocher, thats cool on the halloween candy. I was so fevishing i couldnt get out and we had the step kids. Wheww!! I did think about the u and the halloween candy on sale. I did want to get some. Between the boys and me, my sweetie couldnt leave.
I am going to the dr tomorrow. Still sick and following written directions. :eek:
Wish me luck.
Big Hugs,
Sara:)

[moocher]

baileyboo--

The only mail that can go over seas has to be addressed to a specific person or they won't take it because of the anthrax scare. You could probably send them to Micheal in a box and he could give them out.

sarasmiles--

I sent this to you in an e-mail too, I think, but i'm putting it here just in case! I found a site that sends *fan mail* to our deployed troops-they are letters written by different groups of volunteers here in the states. I hope you don't mind, I sent them Micheal's address and asked them to send mail for 20 people so that there will be enough for others in his troop that might not be getting much mail. I got the conformation e-mail tonight and they are sending the mail! Here's the link in case you want to take a look.

http://www.militarymail.org/site.htm

Hope you're feeling better soon!

[SaraSmiles]

Everyone, he called yesterday. He is a SPC instead of a PFC. He seems like he is doing well. A little distance. I guess, its that soldier mode.
He did get excitement in his voice to tell me about the school children that have sent letters and pictures. Getting info, letters and cards from several different churches. He so appreciated everything. He is trying his best to hold on. He did say, he lost some addresses. I told him that was understandable.
He wanted me to thank each and everyone of u for your cards, letters, prayers, thoughts and goodies boxes!!!!!!
He said, he never knew how many people appreciated what they were doing over there.
Our fav. soldier said that he had everything he needed thanks to you ladies, gents and your familys.
He started naming names and things he has received. I couldnt keep up. I havent heard from him in 2 months and we talk freebie talk. lol
Now, i think of all the things i wish i had of said. It was wonderful to hear his voice.
Thanks to everyone once again from my fav. soldier and his mommy,
Hugs,
Sara:)

[moocher]

{{{{{sarasmiles}}}}}

I'm so glad you heard from him!! Does he like peanut butter? I know he loves chocolate and I'm starting to make my Christmas stuff, so I'm going to put some home made fudge and what ever else I decide to make into the goodie box!

Hope you're feeling better!

[SaraSmiles]

He
does
love
peanut
butter!:D


My
keyboard
will
not
space.

I
am
going
to
look
in
the
basement
for
the
cheapy
keyboard.

BigsHugs!
Sara:)

[baileyboo]

Does he need other things? When I did adopt a platoon, that website said to send thing like deodorant, black shoe polish, razors, paper and pens...things like that? how about ground coffee?

[SaraSmiles]

baileyboo, he hasnt said anything about black shoe polish. I wonder if they all need some.
Lets put our heads together. I know, they enjoy the food, soap, lemon lime Gatoraide, phone cards, disposible cameras, stamps, stationary, even samples, seasonings. U know, my son loves that Tony Chesaree(italian and not spelled right). I cant buy it here in New England.
Its cajun seasoning. I bet he misses that.
Thanks so much for caring! I am sorry, i have been so under the weather. Today, it is a trip to the cardiologist to see my EKG looks like a rollercoaster ride.
Keep our troops in your hearts and thoughts!!
Big Hugs to Everyone,
Sara:)

[moocher]

I bet they really would love some spices! I never thought about that!

Let us know how your visit to the dr goes Sara-I hope it's goes just fine, but I do worry about you!

[SaraSmiles]

my ekg looked like a train wreck. i dont like the drs up here. i had tests now, i have to go the hospital for more tests.
always around the holidays. thanks for thinking of me. lets dont forget our troops.
please keep my son in your thoughts. :)

[SaraSmiles]

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!!
Blessings and good tidings~~~


The cheer one of our favorite soldiers is over for now! :) My son really enjoyed hearing from everyone. He is packed and on his way to another part of that country. So, he will be unable to received any more mail.
Thanks to everyone that send cards, letters, and care pkgs!!! It touched his heart and really boosted his morale!!!
He was overwhelmed by all the mail he received and his fellow soldiers enjoyed too. Please if anyone is getting a Christmas goody box ready for my son, there r other soldiers that would enjoy it so much. Please dont forget to support our troops!
Please keep in touch. Email me and dont forget about us.
I want to send a great big cyber hug out from my son and myself to everyone that participated.
Hugs all around,
Sara:)

[SaraSmiles]

He called last night to tell me what he could on the phone. He wish everyone here a very 'Happy Thanksgiving.'
Please pray and think happy thought that he will be coming home before Christmas.
I am very ill and i really need him home for the holidays! :)

[lizardlady155]

(((((((((sarasmiles and Michael))))))))))

[SaraSmiles]

Thanks, lizardlady! I needed that hug and i know my son did. He still is over there. I am still ill. I am hoping he will be just on US soil by Christmas r it will be another month. :eek: :)