Well as many of you may heard the U.S. Military has been getting hit very hard and many of families have lost their loved ones. For the one left fighting over their, we have some very real and very serious issue's going on. I have heard from many soldier's and their family speak about being in shortage of supplies in Afghanistan, however I am not sure of the supply situation in Iraq although I'd be curious to know. On Aug. 25 lost We lost four more of our soldier's. It was stated they were short on men and ammo. I agree with the brother of Dennis Williams, Someone needs to provide explanations to these families. Someone needs to resolve these issues right now before more lives are lost. It's bad enough when we lose any of them, but we should not lose one,..Due to lack of supplies !!! it's Bullshit !!

It's time for EVERYONE,...To fight fire with fire !!! Let's get as much help to these soldier's as humanly possible. Care packages with food items for them to keep their strength, gatorade packages to help combat dehydration, weapon cleaning supplies to help them keep their weapons working efficiently. There is also many, many project's our soldier's are asking help with. They would not be asking if there wasn't the need. These project's have proven to help with gaining the trust of local villagers, which in return makes success seem more reachable. It's the soldier's that know what they need the most,..we just gotta listen a bit more closely and answer their call. I know the economy is rough and we all are pinching pennies, but somehow, someway, we need to pinch a little extra for those who are fighting for us. I have compiled a couple of list's I'd like to share with you. One list is pertaining to the many project's are soldiers are asking for help with and the other is a compiled list of item's they could really use.

Spirit of America - Founded by Jim Hake
"It was clear to me that expanding positive interactions on the front lines could both assist those in need and help America further reflect and perpetuate the ideals for which it stands." - Jim Hake

Spirit of America fulfills requests from American military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa for goods that will help local people. This improves relations, makes our troops safer and saves lives.

Shout Outs
Volunteer Help Needed - The majority of the time commitment will be in October and November
http://www.spiritofamerica.net/site/blog/1016

Support Marines in Afghanistan
Help the Marines provide for Afghan security and civilian needs
http://www.spiritofamerica.net/cgi-bin/soa/project.pl?rm=view_project&request_id=172

Army Specialist Gerardo Llamas: Blankets for Afghanistan
Help this inspirational effort to bring blankets, clothing and school supplies to Afghans near Kabul
http://www.spiritofamerica.net/cgi-bin/soa/project.pl?rm=view_project&request_id=173

Navy HM1 Ward-Women & Children's Engagement Project
Empower Iraqi women and children with education, literacy and sewing center supplies
http://www.spiritofamerica.net/cgi-bin/soa/project.pl?rm=view_project&request_id=174

Army Major Poirier-Bring Light and Hope to Africa
Help Army Maj. Michael Poirier bring supplies to children and solar lanterns to Senegal
http://www.spiritofamerica.net/cgi-bin/soa/project.pl?rm=view_project&request_id=167

SSG Dale Race in Afghanistan--Farming, Clothing & School Supplies
Help Army SSG Race bring much-needed supplies to Kunar Province Valley
http://www.spiritofamerica.net/cgi-bin/soa/project.pl?rm=view_project&request_id=161

Green Zone Council Outfits Iraqi Scouts
Encourage character-building and leadership in Iraq's next generation
http://www.spiritofamerica.net/cgi-bin/soa/project.pl?rm=view_project&request_id=119

How Baseball Saved Lives in Afghanistan
With bats, balls and gloves donated by their families and friends in the United States, American troops brought baseball to children of Orgun-e, Afghanistan. Nazim, one of the local players, said, "I like to be a player, not fighter."
http://www.spiritofamerica.net/site/home/story_beginning

*Since soldiers mainly rely on water to drink they sure appreciate single packages of powdered Gatorade, Crystal Light and Kool Aid. They also love teabags, lemonade mix and powdered milk. For in the winter months hot chocolate and instant coffee is a big hit.

* FOOD and SNACK'S - Protein Powders / Protein Bars / Cliff Bars, Rice Krispie Treats (Store-bought only), Tuna in foil pouches (no cans), Dry Soup (Ramen Noodles / Cup-O-Soup: just add water), Beef Jerky, Slim Jims, Cheese Cracker packs, Cheeze It's,Cheetoe's, Oatmeal Packs (Instant: just add water), Cereal (Small, individual boxes), Gum and Hard Candy (must be individually wrapped),Condiments, Spices; Sugar; Salad Dressing (no glass jars). MICROWAVE FOOD - Popcorn / Chef-Boy-R-Dee / Mac'n'Cheese

NOTE'S TO REMEMBER: *A lot of the gum and candy Soldier's pass out to local children to show the kid's, they are not the bad guys. *NO Chocolate product's accepted from MARCH to OCTOBER (it will melt in high temperatures!)  M7M's hold up pretty well in all months and are very well liked.

TOILETRIES - Big ticket Item Baby Wipes, Shower to Shower body powder,Foot Powder, Deodorant and Liquid Hand Sanitizer (They can go days without a place to shower or bathe and the summer heat is bad), Body Wash, Liquid Soap, Facial Cleanser,
Shampoo /Conditioner, Toothpaste & Toothbrushes & Dental Floss,Mouthwash, Breath Mints / Breath Strips.Hand & Body Lotion / Moisturizer,Tissues Loufa Sponges / Buff Puffs / Washcloths. Cotton Swabs (i.e. Q-tips), Razors (disposable: "Intuition" or "Mach 3" type)
Shaving Cream / Shaving Soap (in boxes or tubes; NO CANS of Shaving Cream,please!).

*NOTE'S TO REMEMBER - Trial sizes are the best for the soldier and also for any liquid items be sure to double bag it in zip lock bag's, the box takes a beating getting to them.

* Other Needed Thing's - GelBug Spray / DEET / Skin-So-Soft,Flea Collars ( Soldier's wear them on their belt loops ), Sunblock, SPF 45, Zinc, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, :Lip balm / Chap Stick, Eye Drops (i.e. Visine), Nasal Spray (It's very dusty there), First-Aid Kits /Band-aids / Gauze Pads, Cotton Balls,Tylenol, Motrin, Advil Packets, Lozenges / Cough Drops and
VITAMINS (Vitamin D and C are the best for preventing colds and even more FLU's).

*Entertainment - Batteries: .AA. "AAA" and .C. are the most requested. Pens & mechanical pencils Stationery & Envelopes; blank cards to send home, Music CDs (new or used), Portable CD players / head phones, travel size games, Electronic handheld games.

* OTHER - Fly swatters / fly paper / mosquito netting,Generic sunglasses, Small Flashlights (battery operated),Air Fresheners, Shower Curtains (Does Not matter what kind), Shower Shoes, Work Gloves, K-9 items: Dog treats & toys, dog shampoo, flea collars. Small toys, Beenie Babie's & school supplies for Iraqi & Afghani children. Pre-Paid Phine Card's.

One amenity they cannot live without is mail call. A soldier said,. "Mail brings up morale a lot. A lot, If we not on a mission or something like that, mail comes in, every body's happy. Chow may suck, but as long as we get mail, we good."

I have a list of some Awesome soldier's that would love to receive some mail, and I'd also like to mention a lot of soldier's go to mail call and not receive anything because a lot are young kid's that came from dysfunctionally families and entered the military to get away so they don't have parents that step up to the plate to send stuff.

NOTES TO REMEMBER - If you have kid's that still go to school, you can ask your local principles to join in and have their "kid's" write letter's too. My kid's school doesn't miss a holiday. Not only does it benefit the Soldier's receiving them it's great to have kid's partake, it teaches them a valuable lesson in caring and giving to other's.