Recently, a couple of other “grey haired” hobby guys have been communicating to a fellow hobbist in Irag. They have established a model shop for the guys,and gals, in Iraq to have a place to go to rest and relax. The models that we have sent have been received with a lot of enthusiasm and they are looking forward to the next time that we send a care package. Any interest in sending to these folks I would be interested in gijving them an address and name to contact. This is just a little bit that we can do for them that bear the load.[:)]
I have some extra stuff. Maybe I should have my wife take it with her when she goes in January.
Now that’s a good idea! Do are heros in uniform have a small layout out there to run their items? Is there any sort of website for this effort?
When you send the models, maybe throw some beef jerky in there too. Just let us know where this stuff needs to go. There are care packages going out from the base all the time, so it may be really convenient for us to get things like this out.
This bring back memories. When I was in Vietnam in 1971, my Mon & Dad were quite worried about me becoming one of those ‘drug crazed’ GI’s they were reading about in the news. I got regular shipments of models(AHM O gauge 0-8-0, Suydam structures, a Cutty Sark, etc…) that I built as I had time(my buddies helped…). No matter what your political leanings are, these guys/gals need all of us to support ‘them’
Jim
Thought this one deserved a bump… I don’t personally know anyone serving over there but would be interested in finding out how to donate something that provides some (probably much needed) diversion to these fine people. Maybe spark a few new model railroaders as well [8D].
If anyone knows an APO address, I’ll sure send some hobby item for them to work on… just let me know. I did three tours in VN, and my “escape” was the most recent issue of MR that I continually carried around, on each tour . I can’t begin to tell you how many layouts I built “in my head” while I was there !
Bob
I’ve been here for 7 months. Some folks from the club I’m in sent me materials to build furnace filter trees. Built quite a few in my down time for the club layout. Brenton 47, its a great idea, keep it going.
Rick
Great idea, if anyone can provide an APO, or some way to set it up, I’d contribute. And thanks for your service Rick…
This is a great idea! As one who was over there, I can tell you that even old issues of MR magazine would be appreciated. If you are cleaning out your library and know someone’s APO address, put them to good use and send them over.
In fact, I know someone at the EUCOM PA office, I will call him and see if we can get something started. More to follow…
I will contact the Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) folks here at my Forward Operating Base. The rec center would be a great place to have magazines and any other items folks want to donate. I will post something tomorrow in this topic.
Rick
Keep us posted, Rick… if MWR can give us a “routing”, I’ll check with a couple of area hobby/train shops and see what they would be willing to donate to the cause.
God bless… Bob
IronGoat@comcast.net
OK, if you are interested, here is the address for the MWR. They said they would distribute items around to the different Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the area. My wife has kept me supplied with plenty of stuff so my morale has been high in this area! Thanks to all of you for supporting us!
Rick
Mail to:
William O’Brien
KBR - MWR
FOB Speicher
APO AE 09393
Rick,
Good on you buddy, for taking care of your troop’s moral by spreading the wealth. Take care of those around you and yourself and keep your head down. Continue to do your best to bring them all home.
Barry
Rick,
I have stuff that I was planning on selling at the local (Los Angeles) swap meets. This is a better home.
Thanks for the posting.
SAH
Thank you for your support of the military.
Along the line of private individuals contributing, do you have more specific wants or desires for these people over there? Scale? Kits or RTR? Complexity of the kits? Buildings or Rolling Stock?
Tom, I really can’t say. Even though I’ve been here for 8 months, I haven’t run into any other model railroaders. Thats not to say they aren’t here, just that my “social” time is virtually non existent outside of where I work. I would suggest that anyone who is planning on sending stuff to include a note so that the MWR or individual who gets it can reply directly or maybe even through this forum. However, just be aware that I am fortunate to have good access to the internet unlike many of the folks here. U.S. (snail) mail is still the easiest way to correspond.
As with anything that is sent, everyone is very appreciative and thankful to our nation (you).
Who knows, maybe there are a few budding MRR types and this may be a great way for them into the hobby.
Rick