March 7, 2003
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Hey Sis!
My brother is one of my best friends. He is the family member I talk with about symbolic logic, higher math, and history. He is the one who reads science fiction and sends me DVD's that I *have* to see. I've been snowed in for weeks and the latest box of goodies I put together for him has been doing duty on the diningroom table as a centerpiece. I'm sure he'll be pleased to know that it's going to the postoffice today.
My brother enlisted in the army over the objections and the worries of my Mother. (She used to hang up on the recruiter in hopes that she could discourage him from calling.) When he decided on infantry, his first order of business was to lose a bit of weight. 80 pounds, in fact. Which he did over about 6 months of hard training. His discipline and dedication impressed me more than anything else I can remember him doing.
Today, he serves in some capacity that I can never get straight, but I know it has something to do with driving a tank. He has been on foreign soil for two years. I'm used to getting phone calls from him at all hours of the day and night. That's always been our relationship. If the phone rings after midnight, Tim doesn't even twitch, he knows it's for me. "Hey, sis! How's it going? Read anything other than a cereal box this month?" And then we're off. It occurs to me now that I have him to thank for my habit of waking up and thinking about philosophy in the middle of the night.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars have a program called OPERATION UPLINK. Through this program they accept cash donations which are converted into telephone calling cards. The cards are sent directly to members of the armed forces overseas. In these days of anxiety about our loved ones in military service, whether we approve the actions of the administration or not, it's an excellent gesture of peace and goodwill to offer our military personnel the chance to call home.
Last summer, a soldier who shared quarters with my brother, came home in a coffin. I'm very glad to know that this soldier received one of the Operation Uplink cards and was able to call his family in the months before he died. I'd like to encourage all of you to visit the above links and either make a donation to this project, or provide them with the address of any service people you know, or best yet, both.
Comments (11)
What a great project! Thanks for the link. You're brother sounds like a great guy
Hat off, on bent knee...
Thank you.
Sail on... DO sail on!!!!
That's an awesome project. I think it's very important that soldiers overseas are able to phone home, it must be so lonely out there.
wonderful suggestion - wonderful idea. Good luck to your brother!
Calling home and written letters are more precious than gold to a soldier
that is something i will most definately do. I will never forget during operation desert storm getting a letter from a soldier and how much just a letter seemed to mean i can only imagine how much the actual ability to call and connect with family and friends woud mean
Belinda
I've donated several of the cards to our friends in the military. Mail, phone calls, email...all things that keep someone overseas in touch with their families and loved ones helps. It makes them feel like they're not being punished for having to suffer (as they sometimes have to). Kudos to you for sharing it.
What a great idea!!! It not only helps keep you in touch with your brother but helps the others keep in touch with their families as well!
That is VERY thoughtful!
have a great weekend!
Tina
great!
Awesome. Link is loading in my other window.
Hat off and a big thank you to your brother and all the others out there. It's not much, but this I can do!
God Bless - Dale
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