Home » Archives » "Zapper Lifts Morale"

Zapper Lifts Morale

May-30-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

Thanks to Mike and Karen for sending us this story.

[Link to Full Article]
By STEVEN ISBITTS

PALM HARBOR - With a bid of $5.24, Army Sgt. Marcus Barton won an Internet auction for a bug zapper that is the envy of his 3rd Brigade Stryker Combat Team stationed near Mosul, Iraq.

The portable electric pest killer allows Barton the freedom to sleep without a thick, mesh mosquito net covering his cot, and it doubles as a powerful blue night light, undetectable by night vision goggles used by the enemy.

``I am the only one in my battalion that has purchased one, and everyone calls it my Kentucky disco ball,'' Barton said in an e-mail to The Tampa Tribune. ``We are dealing with mainly mosquitoes and black flies - also gnats, scorpions and huge ants.''

Having a zapper ``means not having to sleep in a shroud net which cuts off the air circulation from our fans and a/c's,'' Barton wrote.

Barton, 31, bought the bug zapper from EZ Auctions & Shipping, a Palm Harbor retail store specializing in selling customers' items on eBay, the Internet's premier auction Web site.

After the auction, store manager Tammy Howsare noticed the buyer requested that the bug zapper be sent to a military address in the United States.

Howsare said it was the first time the store, which routinely has about 150 items up for auction, had sold something to a soldier stationed overseas.

Howsare began corresponding with Barton, which inspired John DeLisa, co-owner of EZ Auctions & Shipping, to obtain a dozen more bug zappers that he plans to ship to Barton's battalion this week.


Comments For "Zapper Lifts Morale":

I love the fact that the company heard where the bug zapper was going and decided to send more. To some, it may seem like such a small gesture, but to soldiers fighting off annoying bugs while trying to sleep it's a HUGE gesture of support and appreciation.

Kudos's to EZ Auctions & Shipping

Posted by: Scoutswife | May 30, 2004 6:57 PM

I thought I read somewhere that bug zappers only zap male mosquitos, and it is the females who bite. ??? Anybody know the truth on this?

My honey better be using that mosquito net and all the repellent he can stand! Better safe than sorry.

Posted by: bcgf | May 30, 2004 7:40 PM

bcgf,
yes it is only the female mosquitoe that does bite..but bag zappers will kill both.. but mainly if it is giving off a chemical to attract them as they normally are not attracted to ultraviolet light. at least the ones in the states aren't!

But still give major kudos to EZ auction as the bug zapper I would hope kill those pesky flies over there too!!

Posted by: CavWife | May 30, 2004 7:59 PM

whoops!! BUG zappers! not BAG zappers! geeze guess I should proof read better! LOL

Posted by: cavwife | May 30, 2004 8:01 PM

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by a site administrator before your comment will appear. We appreciate your patience.)

Advertisements