Wednesday, February 27, 2008

A Little Help, Part 2...

Only this time it's not snarky...

Here's the deal: I want to have our Scouts write "Get Well" letters to injured soldiers. It covers one of the electives outlined in the Tiger Cub manual, it gives us a chance to honor those who serve their nation's armed forces, and it gets some much-needed moral support to those who could use it the most.

However... Because some people cannot separate politics from the personal (like what happened to Joshua Sparling, may the cretin responsible slide under a gas truck and taste his/her own blood...), Walter Reed will no longer allow cards addressed to "Any Wounded Soldier".

I've called around between Walter Reed and their Red Cross affiliate, and have not been able to find a way to send get well cards to injured soldiers. It was suggested to make a poster, which normally would be a fine idea, except that getting six 7-year old boys to work together is nigh-unto impossible...

Anyone have any leads on how I can get an address/addresses to send get-well cards to injured soldiers? This came up pretty suddenly, otherwise I'd look around. Any and all ideas are happily entertained. Thanks!

That is all.

8 comments:

JD said...

Have you tried this one? found it here http://asecondhandconjecture.com/?p=1818

John Miska

VFW Post 8208, PO Box 653, Ruckersville VA 22968 will be happy to deliver Cards, Letters, Gifts and donations to our wounded troops at all the DC area Hospitals.
See http://www.adoptasoldier.us or http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6163463

Bigjohn

John Miska CDR
VFW Post 8208
PH 4347601940

Jay G said...

JD,

That's PERFECT. I'll give a call this afternoon. Thanks a million!!!

Arthur said...

If that doesn't work, I would think Soldier's Angels would be able to help you out - http://soldiersangels.org/

Anonymous said...

Here is more information on how to do this:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/christmas/soldiercards.asp

Christine G. said...

I actually have several marine friends across the globe, including my husband's cousin. i asked them all for addresses before christmas and ... none of them got back to me.

the webelos were going to do this last year, and then our den mother found out about the walter reed rule... which seems silly but does prevent random acts of nonsense and terror (ie: anthrax envelopes) from being delivered to a wounded soldier. adding insult to injury. and they do not have staffing to open/monitor anonymous mail.

it's sad, unfortunate, but ... whattayagonnado?

if i get my marine contacts to step the heck up, i'll include you in on pen palling the contacts.

hooorah.

Teresa said...

I second getting in touch with Soldier's Angels. They are always looking for people to do this kind of thing and they are a tremendous organization. I've met Patty Paton Bader and many of the "Angels" - they are outstanding!

JD said...

Hey, don't forget to let us know how it works out!!

Anonymous said...

Try sending them to the Fischer House.

cassidy