Women of DU- Support a female soldier?

[BeHereNow]

Dear Fellow Women DUers,
I am posting this request for your support of my
nephew's wife recently deployed to Iraq.
She is a sweet little thing just over twenty years of age.
Needless to say, Halliburton is not providing adequate
supplies for the troops and therefore my request to you
to adopt this young woman.
If you are willing, please send your support or
"female" items to her. My nephew who has requested
re deployment to be there to take care of her, and I, thank you
in advance for your support of his new wife in the middle of a
hell zone.
Her address in Iraq:

Lisa Hounchell
Alpha Detachment, 10th SSB
Unit 090034
APO AE 09373

Cards, lotion, tampons, whatever you can send
will be greatly appreciated. She is extremely scared
and like so many, under supplied even as far as the basics
go.
Our tax dollars at work...
Halliburton and the missing funds?
No tampons?
WTF?!?!?!
BHN

[tk2kewl]

1. can the men send thong bikinis for mud wrestling

:evilgrin:

[BeHereNow]

4. No...

She is not the type.
Thanks for the offer though.
I think...actually, not.
I just got off the phone with my nephew and he
is quite distraught from his conversatiosn with her.
I am somewhat of a surrogate mom to him and therefore,
although I know you were attempting to be funny, this is
actually quite heartbreaking to me. My daughter is just two years
younger than this girl and I can't imagine her there in that situation.
Both my nephew and his wife want OUT.
It is far worse over there than we know.

BHN

[tk2kewl]

7. my appologies, i did not intend to be insensitive

I hope she remains safe

[BeHereNow]

11. That is my greatest fear- her safety

aand now my nephew's- he has requested to
be sent over again to "take care of her..."
I hate George W. Bush with all my heart and soul right now.
after the conversation I had with my nephew.
I think he should send his drunken daughters to take my
nephew and his wife's place.
Of course THAT will never happen.
BHN

[BeHereNow]

22. By the way- apology accepted

humor is a very common defense mechanism against
tragedy. I understand completely.
BHN

[NMDemDist2]

2. oh BHN ------ Kicking it for ya

:hug:

[BeHereNow]

6. Thanks for the hug-

I need it about now...just got off the phone
with the nephew and my heart is breaking at the thought of this
precious girl over there. In constant danger no less ANDwithout
even the basics...GOD DAMN the chicken hawks who sent her there
for their imperial gain.
BHN

[NMDemDist2]

47. kick n/t

[BikeWriter]

3. It's bad enough being a man in a combat zone. The poor Dear...

Kick!

[BeHereNow]

23. Thanks for your compassion-

and your kick- she is a dear, truly.
Both the nephew and her are committed to
fulfilling their enlistment duty, but they do not for one
minute support what is going on over there.
They want OUT ASAP!
BHN

[cry baby]

5. Thanks for posting her address. I bet she gets some stuff from DU.

[BeHereNow]

9. DU is my extended family-

I know they share my heart ache and will help in
any way they can.
Even a card makes a big difference to a baby in
the middle of hell, and folks, she is a baby girl.
Crying on the keyboard at the thought of her there.
BHN

[Cleita]

8. Right now, all I can offer is tears.

eom

[BeHereNow]

18. Me too...tears and snot everywhere.

I met this girl for the first time the Christmas before last.
She is a child. A sweet, sweet child.
My nephew lost his mother to mental illness in his teens
and this girl is his anchor to life.
They are both so incredibly sweet; I can not bear to think of
them in the middle of this hideous war.
I swear, my heart is breaking.
Right now-
right here.
BHN

[ElsewheresDaughter]

10. i'm on it!

[BeHereNow]

14. Thanks...

She doesn't really have much family to speak of, so your
support will be greatly appreciated.
I know I can count on my DU family to extend their love and
support to this young woman.
She will be so surprised to hear from you guys!
She'll wonder HOW you knew to find her...tee-hee.
I love you or this. Really I do.
BHN

[libnnc]

12. kick this...

dammit, dammit, dammit

I hate these times we're in


:nuke:

[ultraist]

13. question

Is that the full address? What is APO AE?

Lisa Hounchell
Alpha Detachment, 10th SSB
Unit 090034
APO AE 09373

I hope she returns home SOON safely! Be strong and I will try to get something off to her.

[BeHereNow]

15. I don't know- Military code address?

I know my nephew is not allowed to disclose her
actual location- but I got it through the elimination process.
I am assuming the APO AE is some sort of military postal code.
Thanks for your good wishes for their safety- fact is they will
not return until early next year...
I will pray for them daily until they return.
BHN

[Ali Mashaka]

27. What the heck is APO? (answer)

APO stands for 'Army Post Office' and AE is one of the post office 'states' that the army uses to distribute its mail. If you're gonna ship to an APO address, then you should be aware that there are restrictions on what can be sent and a special form has to be filled out at the post office. Don't send it ground, it'll take forever.. also, don't send it return receipt, registered or insured because then they'll have to go pick it up at their base. Which sucks.

I looked up the restrictions for that zip and here they are :)

These are the latest Military Mail restrictions for zip code:

09373

A-A1-B-B1-C1-E2-F-H1-M-R-R1-U2-V-Z1



A:Securities, currency, or precious metals in their raw, unmanufactured state are prohibited. Official shipments are exempt from this restriction.

A1:Mail addressed to "Any Servicemember," or similar wording such as "Any Soldier," "Sailor," "Airman," or "Marine"; "Military Mail"; etc., is prohibited. Mail must be addressed to an individual or job title such as "Commander," "Commanding Officer," etc.

B: Form 2976-A is required for all mail weighing 16 ounces or more, with exceptions noted below. In addition, mailers must properly complete required customs documentation when mailing any potentially dutiable mail addressed to an APO or FPO regardless of weight. The following are exceptions to the requirement for customs documentation on non-dutiable mail that weighs 16 ounces or more: Known mailers are exempt from providing customs documentation on non-dutiable letters, and printed matter weighing 16 ounces or more. (A known mailer is anyone who legally applies a permit imprint to a mailpiece. Mail with meter postage is not considered to be from a known mailer.) All federal, state, and local government agencies are exempt from providing customs documentation on mail addressed to an APO or FPO, except for those APOs/FPOs to which restriction B2 applies. Prepaid mail from military contractors is exempt, providing the mailpiece is endorsed ³Contents for Official Use ‹ Exempt from Customs Requirements.²

B1: Form 2976 or 2976-A is required. Articles are liable for customs duty and/or purchase tax unless they are bona fide gifts intended for use by military personnel or their dependents. When the contents of a parcel meet these requirements, the mailer must endorse the customs form, ³Certified to be a bona fide gift, personal effects, or items for personal use of military personnel and dependents,² under the heading, Description of Contents. Exceptions: All other exceptions listed in restriction B above are applicable to this restriction.

C1: Obscene articles, prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc., and horror comics and matrices are prohibited.

E2: Any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or nonauthorized political materials is prohibited. Although religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith are prohibited in bulk quantities, items for the personal use of the addressee are permissible.

F: Firearms of any type are prohibited in all classes of mail. See definitions of firearms in DMM C024.1.1C. This restriction does not apply to firearms mailed to or by official U.S. government agencies.

H1: Pork or pork by-products are prohibited.

M: Fruits, animals, and living plants are prohibited.

R: All alcoholic beverages, including those mailable under DMM C021, are prohibited.

R1: Materials used in the production of alcoholic beverages (i.e., distilling material, hops, malts, yeast, etc.) are prohibited.

U2: Mail is limited to First-Class letters only when addressed to Box R.

V: Express Mail Military Service (EMMS) is not available from any origin.

Z1: The following restriction is applicable only to International Service Centers (ISC)/Exchange Offices. An Anti-Pilferage Seal (Item No. O817E or O818A) is required on all pouches and sacks.

Courtesy of: http://www.shipitapo.com/info/zip_restrictions.mgi2

Hope this helps and that she comes home soon, safe.

[BeHereNow]

29. You Rock!

Thanks for that- isn't it amazing how
complicated they make it...fuckers,
unless of course it is mail being sent to a
"privatized" CORPORATE address.
I hate them so very very much.
BHN

[MADem]

37. Jinx!! What a hoot, I posted more or less the same info! n/t

[MADem]

36. There are restrictions on that APO address, FYI

Most of them are pretty straightforward--no booze, NO PORK, no bulk religious material, customs form on anything over a pound, no porn...here they are in their entirety if you can stay awake to read them!

Restrictions for Zip Code 09373
A - Securities, Currency or Precious Metals Securities, currency, or precious metals in their raw, unmanufactured state are prohibited. Official shipments are exempt from this restriction.
A1 - Any Service Member Mail addressed to "Any Servicemember", or similar wording such as "Any Soldier", "Sailor", "Airman", or "Marine"; "Military Mail"; etc., is prohibited. Mail must be addressed to an individual or job title such as "Commander", "Commanding Officer", etc.
B - Form 2976-A Form 2976-A is required for all mail weighing 16 ounces or more, with exceptions noted below. In addition, mailers must properly complete required customs documentation when mailing any potentially dutiable mail addressed to an APO or FPO regardless of weight. The following are exceptions to the requirement for customs documentation on non-dutiable mail that weighs 16 ounces or more:
Known mailers are exempt from providing customs documentation on non-dutiable letters, and printed matter weighing 16 ounces or more. (A known mailer is anyone who legally applies a permit imprint to a mailpiece. Mail with meter postage is not considered to be from a known mailer.)

All federal, state, and local government agencies are exempt from providing customs documentation on mail addressed to an APO or FPO except for those APOs/FPOs to which restriction B2 applies.

Prepaid mail from military contractors is exempt, providing the mailpiece is endorsed "Contents for Official Use - Exempt from Customs Requirements."
B1 - Form 2976 or 2976-A is required Form 2976 or 2976-A is required. Articles are liable for customs duty and/or purchase tax unless they are bona fide gifts intended for use by military personnel or their dependents. When the contents of a parcel meet these requirements, the mailer must endorse the customs form, “Certified to be a bona fide gift, personal effects, or items for personal use of military personnel and dependents,” under the heading, Description of Contents. Exceptions: All other exceptions listed in restriction B above are applicable to this restriction.
C1 - Obscene Articles & Comics Obscene articles, prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc., and horror comics and matrices are prohibited.
E2 - Objectional Material Any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or nonauthorized politi-cal materials is prohibited. Although religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith are prohibited in bulk quantities, items for the personal use of the addressee are permissible.
F - Firearms Firearms of any type are prohibited in all classes of mail. See definitions of firearms in DMM C024.1.1C. This restriction does not apply to firearms mailed to or by official U.S. government agencies.
H1 - Pork Prohibited Pork or pork by-products are prohibited.
M - Fruits and Vegetables Fruits, animals, and living plants are prohibited.
R - Alcoholic Beverages All alcoholic beverages, including those mailable under DMM C021, are prohibited.
R1 - Alcoholic Beverages Materials used in the production of alcoholic beverages (i.e., distilling material, hops, malts, yeast, etc.) are prohibited.
U2 - Limited to First Class Letters Mail is limited to First-Class letters only when addressed to Box R.
V - Express Mail Military Service Express Mail Military Service (EMMS) not available from any origin.
Z1 - Anti-Pilferage Seal Required The following restriction is applicable only to International Service Centers (ISC)/Exchange Offices. An Anti-Pilferage Seal (Item No. O817E or O818A) is required on all pouches and sacks.

All APO means is that the postal support comes out of the Army or USAF. If it were coming from the Marines or Navy, it would be FPO. AE means that the mail is routed out of NY to Europe, and thence to the units in question. It probably goes via Germany, or maybe Aviano, because the Rome/Naples/Sicily/Rota Spain post offices are FPO.

[cry baby]

16. Do you know how long it takes to get a care pkg to her?

Hugs for you, too:hug:

[BeHereNow]

20. No idea- however I know even a card

would make her day.
Thanks for caring for some one I care about deeply.
BHN

[sparky_in_ma]

17. Not a female

but my best wishes to you and her.:grouphug:

[fooj]

19. A card will be in the mail by morning...

I'm going to call a few friends and see what we can put together for her! Our military does not supply its enlisted women with tampons? OMG! Maybe we should let our senators know how HAPPY we are about that! BHN-for you...a prayer that your loved ones will be safe! Take care!

[BeHereNow]

21. Thanks- you have no idea

how much your support means to me right now.
BHN

[jojo54]

24. BHN, I will do my best

Don't have many $$'s but will do what I can. How 'bout some stationary to write you with? I'm sure she appreciates your love and concern. I think Jackson Browne said it best:

The thing I wonder about the Dads and Moms
Who send their sons to the Vietnams
Will they really think their way of life
Has been protected as the next war comes?
I have prayed for America
I was made for America
Her shining dream plays in my mind
By the rockets red glare
A generation's blank stare
We better wake her up this time

....except you didn't send her to the new Vietnam, the lying monkey did.

[BeHereNow]

25. Thanks JoJo54...

I'm sure that any contact you made with Lisa would be
so appreciated by her and her husband.
Fact is- their parents did not send them- they enlisted
for lack of other options- education, finances etc...
What DISGUSTS me it the fact that even though they
take their commitment seriously and with great dedication,
depsite their awareness of the abuse and neglect of the people
who sent them there, the Pentagon and Bushco, they
are being used and not even given adequate supplies.
It is SO sick.
I dare ANY freeper trolling this board to defend that fact.
The fucking freepers are ALL about supporting the troops
until it comes to addressing the ABUSE of the troops and
the vets. At that point they creep back to their arm chair
warrior positions and call the rest of us traitors.
FUCKING hypocrits!
BHN

[Greybnk48]

26. packages are taking about two weeks

we have someone in Bagdad. Don't seal the box before you go to the Post Office since you must fill out a custons form itemizing everything in the box including individual weights of items. I'm always told to send chapstick. It's very dry there--and lotion.

[BeHereNow]

28. Thanks for the info-

I hear the same, about chapstick and lotion-
I never seal anything before I go to the Post Office,
but most people do, so thanks for pointing that out-
also apparently good toothbrushes are hard to come by.
I am sending all of the above and more to my Baby girl.
Where so we send support to your beloved?
BHN

[InvisibleTouch]

30. APO Address Info

Postage to an APO address is the same as domestic postage, even if the item is going out of the country. So a greeting card, for instance, would still take a 37-cent stamp.

As others have pointed out, if you're sending a package, you need to fill out a customs form (the green form for smaller packages, the white form for larger ones), just as you would if you were sending to an overseas address. Which you are, in this case. You don't have to leave the package unsealed until you get to the post office, just be able to list what's in it and give an approximate value on the customs form.

I'm an Air Force brat as well as an Ebay seller, so I've used APO addresses in my time.

Will get a card in the mail to your nephew's wife, BHN, and will see if I can dig up some hand lotion samples....

[progressivebydesign]

31. The cool thing about posting this here...

.. is that she'll get many great things, and can share with other women in her group, and she'll be very loved for that. The DU generosity will have a wide effect. I'll send stuff this week.

[FreedomAngel82]

32. This whole thread is so sad

:cry: :cry: :hug: I hate Bush and his administration for all this pain he's putting people through. :cry: I'm sorry I can't send anything but I'll pray in hopes someone listens and can help us. This whole thread is so heartbreaking. :cry:

[anarchy1999]

33. BHN, just tell us what, and where. I'd like a few more specifics so

that we can all help you take care of them in the best way possible.
It's heartbreaking to know there are so many that don't have the community. "Support our troops". The mag ribbons on the backs of SUV's in my area are about to send me off a deep end.

anarchy1999.

I'm so sorry, and you give so much.

Damn.

PM me, or call.
S

[fortyfeetunder]

34. Just wrote a card to her

I went through an exercise at Christmas giving stuff to soldiers, but need to do this year round. I wrote a card, and asked her to let me know what else I can send..

[double_helix]

35. we all should support all of the troops. /eom

[anarchy1999]

38. We all do. When it hits really close to home, we take it just a little

more personally. Thank you, be careful and welcome to DU. Mind your manners, (just a suggestion).

[kayleybeth]

39. I will put together a package for her.

Might not be able to get it in the mail until later this week, but I will send her a care package-- waterless shampoo and body wash, feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, and some other things she might need.

Thoughts and prayers for your niece and family.
:hug:

[wicket]

40. thanks for posting this

:kick:

[GliderGuider]

41. Kick

[harper]

42. What about phone cards?

I've read about folks sending prepaid phone cards to troops in Iraq. Does she have access to a phone? Does anyone think the card would even make it to Iraq? I've heard that there's been trouble with items being stolen from packages.

Maybe I'll have a talk with a co-worker who's husband is over there and see what she thinks.

[noamnety]

43. For the female soldiers - a suggestion

Instead of fighting a losing battle against female supplies, you could send her just one of these: http://www.divacup.com/

It's what a lot of hikers on the Appalachian Trail use. If the army had any brains, they'd make them available to the troops.

Whole Foods Market sells them (different brand, though).

[wicket]

44. kick

:kick:

[LaReservaPr]

45. Kick

[GliderGuider]

46. Kick

[BikeWriter]

48. Kick

[babylonsister]

49. I just read some of this.

Going to the post office tomorrow. Does Lisa like to read? I have tampax, etc., which I will include, but how about books?
It's great that you are putting a picture in our minds to go along with the realities over there. I'm IN!

[Skittles]

50. I urge all of you to check out www.anysoldier.com

check out what these poor soldiers are asking for and then ask yourself WHERE IS ALL THAT F***ING MONEY GOING?????

[babylonsister]

51. Does Lisa have an e-mail address?

Another DUer posted her sister's on here when she was getting shipped off, and I think that helped sis (I received a reply). :shrug: