Archives at Zinester: A Special Note From Sharon - Operation We Care. Storytime

I have received many emails about the troops.? Some want addresses to write to soldiers.? Some want me to adopt a soldier for them.? My hands are tied on what I can do.? I cannot release a soldier's name and address until I get confirmation from that soldier to do so.

If anyone wants to brighten a soldier's life, send a card to me.? I will ship letters and cards over to camps so that many soldiers will be able to read what you have written.? Believe me, the troops are sharing everything they receive.

Some have made suggestions of how I can make money to afford shipping expenses.? Some have asked me to put items they have in my shop then resell them and take the money to help on postage.? I cannot do this.? First I don't have the time, and secondly, I've got my hands full with working, making crafts and? working with bereaved parents.? I cram as much as I can into a day.

If you really want to help a soldier, send me a "global" or "International"? phone card for them.? If you really want to express your feelings for what every soldier is sacrificing, write a card or letter, and I promise, I'll get it overseas for you.

These troops are going through some tough times.? Our TV's show us what is happening over there.? I sometimes wonder how they sleep, but many have told me, "With one eye open."

Out of all the items I've sent since I began this project, soldiers tell me to hear from a stranger just saying thank you, means the world to them.? They miss their loved ones.? Some are having a hard time dealing with the death and bombings.? Some are scared.? Some are grateful each day that they're still alive.

I am just one person in this vast world.? I thought if I started this project here in my state, other states would do the same.? I figured it took someone to get things going, that many others would follow.? I was wrong.? I'm not an organization.? I'm just a plain old woman/mom who believes in freedom.? I believe in respect for those who serve in all branches of our Armed Forces.? And this is my way of saying, "I care."

Since I began Operation, I've had the opportunity to meet many veterans who have came to my shop just to shake my hand and say "Thank you for thinking of our brothers and sisters."? I know every man and woman out there who reads this, that has served in the military,? knows what these troops are going through.? I know they have feelings for them, remembering their own military life.? And it's an honor when I get to meet another veteran.

If you can't afford to get a phone card, then send me a letter for the soldiers.? I'll never forget the 80 some year old man who sent me several identical letters last year to send over.? He asked that I read what he wrote.? In each letter, he'd taken a Polaroid photo of his crape myrtle trees.? And he said, "I just want to show you soldiers that there is still color in this world."

I think that is the nicest thing I've ever seen done.? He took the time to type a beautiful letter to the soldiers, then take all those Polaroid pictures to help many troops.

I've lost one of the soldiers I was writing to.? He gave the ultimate sacrifice.? But in the year we were writing, I know his life was touched, because he often told me.? He told me to get mail from a stranger and know that strangers care meant the world to him.? When his letters stopped coming, I contacted his commanding officer and found? out that he had died. ? I will never forget him.? He was a 41-year-old man, and he told me he was scared over there.? He told me it was a hell hole.? And he told me he had a feeling he wasn't going to get back home.? He came home, with a flag draped over his coffin.? And I am so glad for the many letters I wrote to him and made him smile.? I sent him jokes and comic strips from the newspaper.?

I just found out today one of the most requested candies they are asking for over there is Skittles.? I am going to buy a few cases this coming week and ship them over.? Imagine, a pack of Skittles making your day..........

So come on guys, give me a hand.......send me the cards and letters that will go? out in bulk to the camps.? Put your name and address on them if you'd like a soldier to write you back.? And if and when you do get a letter, please share it.? If it touches your heart, it will also touch the heart of everyone else who sees it.