Please support Operation Helmet

[itsmesgd]

Retired Vietnam Vet and flight surgeon, Dr. Robert Meaders founded Operation Helmet after receiving a letter from his grandson who was about to ship out to Iraq with the Marines. His grandson asked his grandfather if he could help him purchase helmet upgrades for his rifle team.

The current g.i.helmet is suspended from the soldier's head with a thin nylon suspension system that dates back to the 1970's. Many troops have suffered brain injuries from the concussions of explosions and accidents in which the helmet is slammed against the troop's head. The helmets with their current suspension are so uncomfortable that soldiers have even taken off their helmets while on patrol or riding in patrol vehicles. The helmet upgrades, more than 33,700 which have been sent to the troops consist of a dense foam padding that helps the helmet fit more like a football helmet and less like an iron frying pan. These upgrades cost about $70 each. The military has been very slow in adapting these kits into the helmets that are given to the troops before they hit the ground.

Please call your representatives and ask them to support the implementation of these upgrades for all soldiers. Donate if you can, but I believe that we can do a much better good if we use our voices to call for the government to "support our troops". Instead of buying a yellow magnet for your SUV, help buy a helmet upgrade so one more troop might survive this war.

Thank you DU for keeping the soldiers in your thoughts and prayers and for your support that goes beyond a bumper sticker.

dave, a random DU'er who came across this organization,

http://www.operation-helmet.org/index.html

[Horse with no Name]

1. Before you do that, you might want to know

that the military passed rules that civilians can't furnish or upgrade existing equipment for soldiers.
They don't want to have statistics that a unit that was outfitted with private issued better equipment survived an attack that a unit with military issue equipment didn't.
Nice thought though.

[itsmesgd]

2. this is an operation that has been sucessful and has helped

But if nothing else, please contact your representative and demand that they "support the troops"

Dr. Bob has testified in front of House and Senate committees and has got the military to slowly begin implementing these kits for our troops. These kits are being shipped to our troops and they are saving lives.

[Horse with no Name]

3. Support the Troops is nothing more than a RW slogan

My cousin was cold at night and the Army wouldn't even give out more blankets to our soldiers...his Dad had to send him some.
It is ridiculous that our men and women don't have what they need to stay alive or make their existence a little more comfortable.
I hate to think that our soldiers can't even lie down at night and stay warm with the little rest they have.
I have the worst Representatives in the world. They will only "support the troops" if it lines their own greedy pockets.

It is a wonderful gesture and I know many organizations were getting in on funding helmets, flak jackets, etc for the troops...but the Army said "No more". One has to ask themselves why the President and Secret Service wear better protective equipment than our troops...but that is a subject for another day.

Here is the link:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-03-30-bodyarmor_x.htm

>>>>snip
WASHINGTON (AP) — Soldiers will no longer be allowed to wear body armor other than the protective gear issued by the military, Army officials said Thursday, the latest twist in a running battle over the equipment the Pentagon gives its troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

>>>>Snip
"We know of no reason the Army may have to justify this action," Neal said. "On the surface this looks to be another of many attempts by the Army to cover up the billions of dollars spent on ineffective body armor systems which they continue to try quick fixes on to no avail."

The move was a rare one by the Army. Spoehr said he doesn't recall any similar bans on personal armor or devices. The directives are most often issued when there are problems with aircraft or other large equipment.

Veterans groups immediately denounced the decision.

[itsmesgd]

4. I dont know how they are doing it

I have sent my brother in law accessories (to include a Red Dot Tactical Sight) for his rifle as well as other supplies and I know of many others who have sent supplies and such to their friends, family, and companies of soldiers.

I hate to ask people to donate, which is why I would rather people call their representatives and make sure that our troops are issued these items.

[Horse with no Name]

5. If they are able to do it

I applaud them. Our soldiers should have the best.

[Monkeyman]

6. Yep lack of equipment gets you killed or wounded