Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

July 17, 2007

Dear Subscribers of Storytime:

You all are aware that I formed "Operation We Care" here in Alabama the year we went into Iraq.  In the past five years I have shipped to our troops many things they need that they have to pay for on base.

Each year I ask for help with getting cards and letters to our troops for the Holiday shipment.  And each year, less and less people respond.

I am going to have to stop sending to the troops.  I get on NBC network here in Birmingham, Alabama and ask for help.  This past year, four people responded.  I guess unless a person ships boxes overseas to a soldier themselves, they don't realize the cost to ship.  Not counting items purchased inside the boxes.  It gets very expensive.  Plus this year, the boxes have increased 1.00 each to ship.

I can no longer get enough support from the public, nor can I afford to do this without help from the public.  In a way, it sickens me.  I know people are sick and tired of hearing of this war.  I am too.  But I know it is not the troops fault.  They can't help where their government sends them.  This reminds me so much of Viet Nam and the way people treated the troops.

My question to you is this:  I have a some money left in the troop account.  In my heart, it has to go to a place that is military connected, whether it be a veteran's home, a hospital where our present soldiers are wounded, etc.

This money came from a soldier who stood on a corner for three days getting donations.  The camp he was in while in Iraq, was one that I had shipped boxes to.

I would like some suggestions as to where you feel the money would be needed the most.

I do have a state veterans home within 100 miles of me.

Please don't recommend giving it to the USO.  I and they battled it out when they told me I should not be doing what I'm doing, that I should give them the money instead.  I saw on TV the items and way they pack their boxes and I was not impressed.  Mine had twice as many things in one box as theirs did.

I would like to continue with this project but I don't see how I can with so many just not caring.  I guess because I came from a family that fought in all wars, and from a family that has always loved and respected their freedom, it was in my heart to continue with these feelings.  I will always be grateful that I live in a country allows me freedom.  I will always be proud that the men in my family fought so I could have my freedom and my children have theirs.

But I am ashamed to say that so many turn their backs on our troops. 

If every man and women in this country ever lived the military life and knew the hardships of having a husband in a war, maybe things might be different.  From 1965-1969 I lived that life.  My memories are not all fond ones.

I can't forget not having enough food to eat and sweating where the next gallon of milk was coming from.  I can't forget not even having a dime to go see a movie on the base.  And I worked a full time job near the base and I still struggled financially.  I'm grateful I had no children during those years.  I have no idea how I could ever have afforded a baby.

When my husband's ship was in dry docks one winter, we had to cross a bridge outside of Norfolk.  It was 10 cents to drive or ride over that bridge.  We never had 20 extra cents.  I would have a dime, would drive and my husband was hiding in the trunk.  Luckily, no one ever asked me to open the trunk.

I can't forget the lonely months of being alone when my husband was overseas.  Life became hard.  Knowing some military families today, not much has changed. 

Any suggestions would be grateful for closing this project and doing right with what money I have left.

God Bless,

Sharon Bryant

1946@bellsouth.net

http://www.dk-ink.com/operation_we_care.htm

"Operation We Care" site