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+--- Thread: How about a friendly hello to one of our troops in Iraq (/showthread.php?tid=16418)
How about a friendly hello to one of our troops in Iraq - D-Rod - 08-06-2006
This is not meant to be political. It is not for or against any war. I ran across this nice gesture from Xerox on snopes and I thought I would share it.
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/letssaythanks.asp
If the administrators want to move it to the other forum it is ok with me or if people object you can remove it entirely.
Origins: On 26 June 2006, the Xerox Corporation launched the web site www.LetsSayThanks.com, a free service
that allows the public to send personal messages to U.S. military personnel serving overseas. Xerox had held similar campaigns in communities such as Atlanta, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. Due to strong positive response, it decided to expand the project nationwide. The messages are sent on postcards designed by children, selected from over 500 entries drawn and submitted by kids across the U.S.
Senders can choose card designs and write personalized messages (of 472 characters or less) to accompany them; once a month the cards are printed in batch at Xerox's facilities in Webster, New York, and distributed (along with packages from Give2TheTroops) to men and women deployed on active duty with all branches of the armed services in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. (Senders cannot designate specific persons as the recipients of their cards, but they can opt to have copies of their cards and messages delivered to their homes.)
Xerox has said it will continue to run the "Let's Say Thanks" program as long as there is a need for it.
Last updated: 30 July 2006
Re: How about a friendly hello to one of our troops in Iraq - chas_m - 08-06-2006
FWIW, I don't think there's anything political about thanking the troops for their service -- and I'm someone who is more than a little tired of attempts by some people here to drag political content onto this side of the forum.
The on-the-ground troops -- the people who actually take the risks and do the work -- may themselves have opinions about this mission, just as we do, but like a good jury they put that aside and do what is asked of them day in and day out. It's what helps make America great, and for many troops I should think that this is in some measure what makes the job bearable -- to be a part of history, to be part of something that is fundamental to this nation's viability. Patriotism is not an abstract concept to these folks. Neither is honour.
We get servicepeople into our shop from time to time who are on break from duty in Afghanistan or Iraq (or elsewhere in that region) and it's always interesting to talk with them and get their perspective. Sometimes quite eye-opening too, but the bottom line is this: they put up with a lot of adverse conditions (not just people shooting at them) in that part of the world.
If you're really interested in "supporting the troops" instead of just SAYING that as though that magically supports them (hint: yellow magnetic stickers don't support troops), then there are definitely things you can do. Give money to the USO and vets' groups like I do. Or volunteer at your local vet hospital. Give time or money to the organisations that support the FAMILIES of the troops, particularly those that have been killed or injured (this is a really good way to help). Write your congresscritter in support of increasing veterans' benefits (which have been repeatedly cut, oddly enough). And of course, you can use the Xerox website to help brighten a lonely servicepersons' day. I'm sure they'd appreciate it.
Most of all, you can validate our troops and the work they do by becoming an informed and involved citizen. The job of our troops is made harder by complacency and apathy. Get informed, share your voice (in appropriate channels, please), VOTE in the upcoming midterms (registration is probably still open -- get to it!!), do your part as a citizen so that our troops don't have to do your job as well as their own. Democracy works best when the people pay attention.
Re: How about a friendly hello to one of our troops in Iraq - modelamac - 08-06-2006
Re: How about a friendly hello to one of our troops in Iraq - samintx - 08-06-2006
Thanks for this website.