Planet members and their kids serving in Iraq and Afghanistan need our support.

[BigRedChief]

I know of one member of Chiefs Planet getting ready to go to Afghaniastan. I know
another that has a son getting ready to deploy. Another that has a son already there. I propose that we raise money and ship some "goddies" over to the units where Chiefs Planet members or their kids are serving our country. To let them know they are not alone, that some of us back here in the USA appreciate their sacrifice and service.

I will personally pay all the shipping costs and coordinate the project.

I will pay all the paypal fees of the members who donate. If you donate $20 to buy goodies for the troops, $20 goes to the troops.

If you want to send a check, or some goodies yourself, donated items, PM me for a mailing address.

If you have a store that has items that would go in the care package and would sell those at cost and or donate, PM me.

100% of the money raised will go to purchase items for the troops. I will update this thread with the progress and post pictures of the "goodies" and items that will be shipped to the troops.

This is not a political thread or idea. The point is to support the Planet members or their kids on a personal level while they are voluntarily putting themselfs in harms way for us.

PM me for the paypal address. If you know of someone serving overseas, PM me and we will put them on the list to recieve a care package

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

A thank you card for the planet from the troops over in the sandbox.

Originally Posted by Jethopper

I just wanted to send a shout out to BigRedChief. Most of you don't know, but I am a grunt in the 82nd airborne and I am currently in Afghanistan. Yesterday, after a long week of field work, I came back to the FOB to recharge and what do I see? 2 care packages from BRC. Well me and my boys enjoyed the snacks and we thank you, bud. HOOAH

Hey BRC,

A few days after my wife checked with her brother's wife about this package, he was injured in an IED attack and sent home for medical treatment. Today we learned that his driver and the guy who took his place were both killed by an IED. It's a tough job these guys have (both in terms of personal risk and also in terms of dealing with the loss of close friends).

Thanks again for all the support you facilitate!

NAME EDITED

Originally Posted by Barney Stinson

That's awesome news. Thanks to the new and continuing supporters that keeps this going. As a solider on the receiving side; it means so much to have complete strangers contribute to these packages. Its a moral victory, makes you feel noticed, affirmation. In some of the worst times I've ever experienced, a small note or package surprising me made the difference between being depressed and feeling validated. Agree or not for the reasons we're there, coming together and supporting the troops with their boots on the ground is a profound statement, and it does not go un-noticed by the troops receiving the packages. Don't make fun of what I'm saying, never in my life has a simple gesture made me feel so good and happy to be an american. Keep donating if you feel inclined, it matters more than you know to the troops receiving it.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by KCtotheSB

In all, we have a Rams, Bills and Broncos fan in the office (the Broncos fan gets the empty box) and yes, even the Bronco fan says thank you! So once again, fellas, thank you for brightening our Sunday!

Let the Bronco fan be happy with the empty box. He has Teabow. What more could anyone ask for?

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by KCtotheSB

THANK YOU VERY MUCH GUYS!

After a lengthy customs blackout,

I saw it stuck in customs and asked one of my coworkers to get the package released. It's good to have connections if you can't be king.

[Easy 6]

I for one, hope we pull everyone out of there ASAP... thats the best way to help them.

Its a lost cause, that place, its not a real country just a spot on the map, they dont even like or trust the people in the next valley over... its NEVER going to be a real, stable nation... just a giant, endless suckhole to throw our blood & money into.

We secured our revenge for 9/11... lets get the hell out of there.

[BigRedChief]

hey guys, this is a politics/religion free thread. It's all about honoring Joe/Jane Soldier for their service and sacrifice.

[BigRedChief]

Welcome Home Iraq veterans parade in downtown St. Louis tommorrow.

http://www.bnd.com/2012/01/26/203331...-louis-to.html

If you are in the area get out there and show the love.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Welcome Home Iraq veterans parade in downtown St. Louis tommorrow.

http://www.bnd.com/2012/01/26/203331...-louis-to.html

If you are in the area get out there and show the love.

Parade is tommorrow.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Parade is tommorrow.

ST. LOUIS • A downtown parade to honor Iraq war veterans stepped off at noon today at Kiener Plaza.

Thousands of people lined the parade route on Market Street, cheering, waving American flags and holding signs "Welcome Home."

Christine Willey of Webster Groves was one of those along the parade route. Her nephew served in Afghanistan and was wounded in Iraq when his Humvee was hit by an explosive.

"I think he would appreciate it a lot," she said of the parade. Her nephew, of Wentzville, who suffered brain injuries, was unable to attend the parade.
Tom Appelbaum, one of the parade organizers, said the parade "pretty much matches what I would have expected." He said he was "feeling great."
The parade follows a vigil which began Friday at 9:11 p.m. at Soldier's Memorial in downtown. Volunteers read the names of U.S. servicemen and servicewomen who have died in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales and St. Louis police and fire departments are joining 83 floats in the parade.

Mayflower, which donated $7,500 to the parade effort, is collecting items for homeless veterans in a storage container at 13th and Market streets. They are asking for sleeping bags, blankets, non-perishable food items, and winter coats.

the organizers, Appelbaum and Craig Schneider, said St. Louis is the first major city to welcome troops home from Iraq since the war officially ended on Dec. 15.

Inside Union Station until 5 p.m., organizers are offering a "resource village," where veterans can connect with service providers such as the Red Cross or Department of Veterans Affairs. Live music is planned from 3 to 8 p.m.

Marine Sgt. Alex Renner, 22,(right) from Red Bud, Ill. shakes hands with well wishers during a parade to welcome home Iraq war veterans along Market Street in St. Louis on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. "I feel good because they have our back" said Renner about the reception he received from the crowd. Renner served one tour in Iraq from 2008-2009.

[BigRedChief]

From USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...4/1?csp=34news

ST. LOUIS (AP)–Thousands of people have turned out in St. Louis for the nation's first big parade welcoming home Iraq War veterans.

Several hundred veterans, many dressed in camouflage, marched Saturday afternoon through downtown along with marching bands, politicians and even the Budweiser Clydesdales.

But the biggest cheers clearly were for the veterans themselves. The crowd wildly cheered as groups walked by, and some veterans wiped away tears as they acknowledged the support.

People in the crowd waved American flags and held signs reading, "Welcome Home" and "God Bless Our Troops." Fire trucks with aerial ladders hoisted three huge American flags along the route.

Two St. Louis men launched a grass-roots effort to hold the parade after noticing there'd been no large public celebrations to welcome troops home.

[BigRedChief]

Well done St. Louis, Well done!

ST. LOUIS• Thousands of people waved U.S. flags and shouted "thank you" Saturday during a downtown parade to welcome home Iraq war veterans.

Many spectators wore layers of jackets and huddled under blankets on the cold, sunny day as they cheered on veterans of recent U.S. wars in the first parade of its kind in a major U.S. city

"It makes me proud to be an American," said Trisha Thompson, a member of the Army Reserves who served in Iraq in 2005 and 2006, after watching the parade finish near Union Station. "Even during hard times, there's still a spirit of unity."

Thompson and her husband, James Pena, also an Iraq veteran, watched with their 6-month-old son, Schuyler, well-covered in his stroller with blankets and a camouflage fleece hat. They both choked back tears as they explained how it felt to see so many people gathered in their honor.
"People have come to realize that you can definitely support the troops even if you don't support the war," Thompson said.

Army Lt. Col. Mike Fayette, who participated in the parade, approached co-organizer Craig Schneider afterward to thank him.

"When prosperous families, individuals and businesses step up to honor us, it makes what I do feel more relevant," said Fayette, who will retire next month after 30 years of service.

Fayette, who recently moved to Columbia, Mo., was injured by an improvised explosive device in Iraq in 2005. He remained there until 2006, when he returned to work at the Pentagon.

"I was overwhelmed by the genuineness of their support," he said of the crowd.

"This (parade) showed that things get accomplished when you have a sense of urgency," said Tom Appelbaum, a lawyer from Creve Coeur and one of the parade organizers. "Now we're gonna take this on the road."
He and Schneider, a technology coordinator for the St. Charles School District, dreamed up the parade over dinner in December. They started a Facebook group, which quickly grew to more than 5,000 members, and used social media and word-of-mouth to drum up support for the plan.
Now they hope to start a fundraising campaign called the "Welcome Home the Heroes Challenge." They want to raise $7 million by next Sunday, the day of the Super Bowl.

Their motto for the parade and the fundraising effort was displayed on the T-shirts they wore on Saturday: "Don't tell us it's impossible."
The money will be split between The Mission Continues, a St. Louis-based nonprofit group that connects veterans with volunteer opportunities and helped coordinate the parade, and the Welcome Home Foundation, a group Appelbaum and Schneider created to distribute funds to veterans organizations.

Not all of the families in the parade were welcoming loved ones home. Susan and Jim Jacobs of Ballwin marched with about 10 Gold Star families, who have lost relatives in the line of duty.\
Their son, Sgt. Zachary Fisher, was killed July 14, 2010, when an improvised explosive device detonated next to his convoy in the Zabul province in Afghanistan.

He had previously served nine months in Iraq.
"Zachary would have been very proud to see his community come out and support the troops," his mother said, tears in her eyes.

Susan Jacobs held tight to a picture of her son, who was 24 when he died. She said it was "bittersweet" to be at an event welcoming home other people's children when her son will never be among them. But she said Zachary would have wanted her and her husband to be there.
"Some of these young men and women get to come home, and some of them don't," she said. "Our community needs to know both sides."
Thompson and Pena, the young Iraq veterans, disagree over whether they want their 6-month-old son to serve in the military.

Pena said he doesn't want to worry about whether his son will come home. But Thompson said Schuyler should serve if he wants. Military service gave her a pride that she wouldn't feel otherwise, she said.
"The most proud I feel is when people come up to me when I'm in my uniform." Thompson said.

Just then, a young girl in a pink coat walked over and handed her a homemade sign. It read: "Welcome Home Soldiers, love Payton Marie."
"Thank you," Thompson said, her voice wavering.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/m...#ixzz1kqucxUrj

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Well done St. Louis, Well done!

ST. LOUIS• Thousands of people waved U.S. flags and shouted "thank you" Saturday during a downtown parade to welcome home Iraq war veterans.

Many spectators wore layers of jackets and huddled under blankets on the cold, sunny day as they cheered on veterans of recent U.S. wars in the first parade of its kind in a major U.S. city

I just heard this part was a topic in discussion, something about it being the first of it's kind since WWII. I don't know if that is correct or not. Cool either way, and if I was off work this weekend I would have loved to go.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by CrazyCoffey

I just heard this part was a topic in discussion, something about it being the first of it's kind since WWII. I don't know if that is correct or not. Cool either way, and if I was off work this weekend I would have loved to go.

Thats what I heard too. The first parade honoring vets that wasn't organized by a city/state/government but by John Doe Q public just to say thanks to the troops since WWII. No politics. Just a fellow citzen showing appreciation for their sacrifice. Thats some strong mojo. Really us at our best.

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Thats what I heard too. The first parade honoring vets that wasn't organized by a city/state/government but by John Doe Q public just to say thanks to the troops since WWII. No politics. Just a fellow citzen showing appreciation for their sacrifice. Thats some strong mojo. Really us at our best.

You still in St. Louis, or come back regularly? I want to buy you a beer.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by CrazyCoffey

You still in St. Louis, or come back regularly? I want to buy you a beer.

I've been in Florida for about 20 months now. I came back to St. Louis last year to watch a game last year. Probably not this year. Going to go on a couple of trips to watch Cardinals spring traning games. They are here in St. Pete abotu 5 mintues from my house for a series this year. Also thinking about going to Miami to watch some games and have some fun on South Beach.

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I've been in Florida for about 20 months now. I came back to St. Louis last year to watch a game last year. Probably not this year. Going to go on a couple of trips to watch Cardinals spring traning games. They are here in St. Pete abotu 5 mintues from my house for a series this year. Also thinking about going to Miami to watch some games and have some fun on South Beach.

That's right, I though I remembered something about florida for the DOD job thingy. Well, certainly look me up when you come back through. Conversely my Dad spends his winters on the West side of the Panhandle, if we make it that way in the next few weeks, I'll let you know.

[BigRedChief]

A thank you card for the planet from the troops over in the sandbox.