Here is a link to the Vanity Fair article: “Into the Valley of Death” http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/01/afghanistan200801
I copied the article into the 5th comment following this post. The article and video sheds light on the 173rd and their realities of daily life-keep in mind this article was written during the hot summer-winter is FREEZING and snowy in those steep hostile mountains.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ARE SENDING OUT SUPPORT TO THE 173RD — THEY HAVE BEGUN RECEIVING PACKAGES AND VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THE CONNECTION BACK HOME. KEEP ON KEEPING ON. BRAVO ZULU!!:)
http://www.173rdairborne.com/menu.htm
There is an address at the bottom of this post to send care-packages to the 2nd/503.
“Temps are warm now in the day, up to 60 but drop to teens at night, they have been very grateful for the blankets we sent earlier. At some remotes they exist on Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) packets and have no hot meals — try to include include hearty snacks for your soldier as well as baby wipes in each box now.
Consider sending a card, a box full of some goodies- maybe even with a theme such as:
Salty Snack Box: Beef Jerky, nuts, potato chips, pretzels, Nacho chips, cheese doodles, pop corn, corn chips, Bugles, Salsa, cheese (Velveta) plain corn chips, crackers, summer sausage , pepperoni, saltines, peanut butter….tuna, salmon, sardines (bagged/canned)……
Coffee/Tea/Hot chocolate Box: Sealed can coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cookies, granola bars, biscotti, Little Debbie Snacks, soups…
Winter Warm Box: Flannel sheets or pillow case, gloves, face/head hat, Large, fleece blanket…..steel travel mug to keep beverage hot….
Everything is appreciated and the connection back to home is priceless.
Letters can be addressed to:
2nd Platoon, Battle Company, 2-503rd PIR
c/o SFC Patterson
Korengal Outpost
APO, AE 09354
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2/29/08
http://www.blackfive.net/
Go to above link (Black Five)–they have organized another campaign to send email and letter support to the deployed troops-specifically those stationed in Afghanistan. Their last effort brought in over 30,000 emails to send to the Marines. OOOOH RAAAH!:)
Those of you who can, please take a moment and send out words of thanks/gratitude, respect and American patriotic pride in letting these men know that we are thinking of them and with them in spirit 100% for success in all their missions and looking forward to their safe return.
Here is the last paragraph from Black five’s post for sending out support to these brave men who have been faithfully defending and protecting our country as we sleep soundly day in and day out.
Historically, spring is a time of heavy fighting in this region as the terrorists and insurgents emerge from their caves after the harsh winter temperatures and snows. Let’s show these Soldiers how much support they have from home to help them through the spring and the remainder of this long and dangerous deployment.
Our paratroopers are in the fight of their lives and they need to hear that America loves them.
Please send an email of support to [email protected]
Or you can mail cards to:
- Leta Carruth
P O Box 100
Cordova, TN 38088
Due to security reasons in Afghanistan please do not put addresses or phone numbers on any correspondence. All emails will be printed out here in the US and mailed to Afghanistan as they do not have the resources to receive a large number of emails. All letters and emails will be vetted to make sure there are no negative comments. These are letters of support, so please keep them positive and uplifting.
(SINCERE THANKS:)
This post has been updated- 2/29/08
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