Stryker Brigade News

Operation Iraq: The Spirit Of Christmas

This is another project that Susan Sutter is involved with. Last year Ruth Ann Young and her group of volunteers sent 5,000 individual Christmas boxes to U.S. forces serving in Iraq. This year her goal is 10,000 boxes. She has secured donations from companies such as Tim's Cascade and Seneca, but is actively seeking additional donors. If you are interested in making a donation, or perhaps know of a company that could help, please visit the group's website at www.thespiritofchristmasusa.com .

Hero to Hero '05

Liz Jackson's Hero to Hero pledge drive kicks off on Saturday, September 11th. "[A]t approximately 9:15 a.m., a kick-off celebration will be held following the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony of the Tacoma Fire Department, at 3301 Ruston Way, Tacoma, Washington. Military family-members, troops about to deploy, Firefighters and Police will be on hand to make the first official donations." Stop by for the festivities or follow the link above to learn more about this project and how you can help.

Operation Special Delivery & Operation Doula Care

Kristine Campbell, whose boyfriend is serving with the Stryker Brigade, is involved with these two organizations. The organizations consist of professional labor assistants, also known as doulas, who donate their services during wartime to women who are giving birth while their partners are on military deployment. These services are extended to all branches of the United States Military, including Reservists and the National Guard. Each group covers 25 states, so services are available no matter where you live. You can visit Operation Special Delivery and Operation Doula Care for more information. You can also contact Kristine directly at (206) 498-5482 or via email at doulaeducator(at)yahoo.com .

Providing Our Support to Troops ("POST") Act of 2003

Last year the POST Act of 2003 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, but was referred to committee by both bodies and has yet to come up for a vote. Passage of the bill "would enact free mailing privileges for personal correspondence and certain parcels sent from within the United States to members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty. This legislation, H.R. 2705 and its companion S. 1707, would help our troops, their families, and the generous folks who want to show support, by making it easier and less expensive to ship letters and parcels from home." If you would like to show your support for this bill, please consider writing to your Represenative (reference H.R. 2705) and Senators (reference S. 1707). You can visit Congress.org to find all the contact information you need - just plug in your zip code.