A special request from me to you…

Hello friends!

I don’t make many requests like this, but I’d really like you to seriously consider taking part this time around.

TBU and I have a friend named Scot who is a Chaplain serving the injured and deceased service men and women coming out of Iraq & Afghanistan. 

Regardless of how we each feel about the war, it is undeniable that the injured and deceased be treated with dignity, respect, and maybe some special attention. 

Please take a moment to read the email request that Scot is making.  I’d really like to see him reach his goal of providing a care package for each of those injured service men and women in his care.

Thanks for your time & consideration…

-"That Girl"

Greetings from Kuwait! I am now four months through a six month deployment supporting the mortuary affairs effort. All of our fallen service men and women from Iraq (and some from Afghanistan) come through the mortuary here before flying back to the States. I am in the room as the remains are opened and processed, offering prayers and a ministry of presence. If you have not already seen it, you can also read an article online to get a feel for what I do at: http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/11/21/military/z8167ec9da54b401a88257507006c944b.txt. Another aspect of my role in Kuwait is to track and visit all Marines who come here for medical attention. Pastoral care in this environment has definitely been intense, somber, and challenging; it has also been powerful, joyful, and rewarding. The service men and women I serve – whether patients or staff; Marine, Soldier, Airman, or Sailor;  alive or fallen – are absolutely amazing people. I have seen the best in dignity, honor, respect, dedication, and sacrifice.
 
Now that the major holidays are finished, there is still great opportunity to let our service men and women know that they are loved and remembered. Would you and your organizations (work, school, church, social, and other) please consider and commit to sending care packages? My goal is 600 packages – one for each person I directly serve. That is a big number. I am trusting in God’s abundance and your generosity and creativity. Will you please also forward this on to others who you know would love to serve this way?
 
What to put in a care package, you ask? I have found that people really like snacks like homemade cookies and brownies, special store bought snacks (fancier stuff), hot cocoa, beef jerky, “good” toilet paper, playing cards, pictures/cards/notes drawn and written by children, coffee, and the like.  The only items I have really found to avoid are DVDs and CDs (unless really popular) and magazines. The main rule of thumb is to put together whatever is on your heart. Every person will receive the package that is perfect for him or her. 

I have received a few questions related to the care package size. I admit that I did not consider that. However, care packages are normally sent in the US Post Office’s “Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Box”. Information about the box can be found online at http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&categoryId=13354&productId=36604&langId=-1. This may or may not be the best option for you depending on how much you send and how much each box weighs. I do know that the boxes offer space enough to fit the various items I mentioned.

The care packages can be sent directly to me, and I will distribute them. I am targeting distribution for Valentine’s Day, so they should be mailed no later than February 1, 2009. My address in Kuwait is:

Chaplain Scot Sroka, LT, USN
Patient Administration Tracking Team
MARCENT Camp Arifjan
APO  AE  09366
 
Will you please reply and let me know the following?
– How many packages you are committing to send.
– By what date you will send them.
– You and/or your organizations’ contact information so I can mail an official thank you letter.
 
Thank you so much for your consideration and support. I hope you have a wonderful, powerful, and happy New Year!
 
Grace and peace be to you,
Scot
 
Chaplain Scot E. Sroka, LT, USN