Remember Books for Soldiers?

[camwyn]

I heard back from one of the guys I sent stuff to.

His name's Ron. He's forty-three, married, Baptist. Got a kid. Coached softball and basketball back home. Considers himself lucky among the soldiers in Iraq because he works in a command center- means he has a crack at computers and the Net every so often. Says it gets up to 140 degrees where he is, but they've got air conditioning in the tents, so when drinking water gets delivered they have to bring it inside to cool off before anyone can drink it. Just recently got a laundry facility, so they don't have to wash their (long sleeved) uniforms by hand every night any more.

Says they've got a lot of toiletries and such, since people ship 'em a lot, so the unit chaplain distributes them from a central point. What they could really use are books- that was first on his list- magazines, CD's, DVD's, cookies, and snack food like spray cheese and crackers. I'm not kidding, he specifically said 'cheese spray spread'. Not sure if those cans would LAST in 140-degree heat... The crackers and cookies would really have to be store-bought; the soldiers are under orders not to accept anything homemade unless it's from someone they know and trust.

Oh, and the CD's? He says most of the guys in his unit go for country music. This is not really a surprise, given that country's really the most popular genre in the US, but it presents a small problem for folks like myself. I know jack about country music beyond the big-name classics... ah, well. I'll figure something out when I get the chance.

Will see what I can assemble this week / weekend.

Comments

RE: Books for Soldiers

[blackraven9.livejournal.com]

I heard back from the guy I sent stuff as well!!! I was not expecting him to answer so it was nice to get the letter. Poor guy gets "mortered" every night which sucks and he and his wife, who is also in the military, are on alternate tours of Iraq. He was very happy to get my stuff.

some good country stuff

[fireweaver.livejournal.com]

1. Darryl Worley
2. Mongomery Gentry
3. Randy Travis
4. Clint Black
5. Dierks Bentley
6. Martina McBride
7. Carolyn Dawn Johnson
8. Clint Black
9. Travis Tritt
10. Joe Nichols
11. Sara Evans
12. Dixie Chicks
13 Reba
14. Dixie Chicks (er, this may be bad for soldiers)
15. Toby Keith

whoops

[fireweaver.livejournal.com]

Sorry, change the one dixie chicks (that doesn't have a comment) to She-Daisy. Their first album was good :)

[derien.livejournal.com]

The only thing I know about country is that I like Johnny Cash. Everything else sucks eggs as far as I'm concerned. ]


(my cursing gets so mild when i'm drinknig)

Actually I recall likeing the Charlie Daniels band a bit when i was like 16, because I was impressed by the fiddle.

[nesmith.livejournal.com]

If you can, get a hold of some of Michael Nesmith's early solo stuff. "Magnetic South," "Loose Salute," or "Nevada Fighter." "And The Hits Just Keep On Comin'" is fantastic, too. :)

/is very very biased

[charliesmum.livejournal.com]

Oh my god. I love you. Almost died of joy when I saw your icon. Love Michael Nesmith, and not just cause of the Monkees ('tho I love the Monkees) We have Elephant Parts on video. Brilliant.

[nesmith.livejournal.com]

Elephant Parts is the best . . . well, all of his stuff is the best. I don't think the man could produce crap if he tried. :)

[aethereal-girl.livejournal.com]

Old 97's. Emmylou Harris. Mark Knopfler.

Mind you, the Old 97's have at least one foot in rock, and Mark Knopfler has at least one foot in folk, but I think they all count. And I don't mention them only because you might want to send their works to soldiers, but also because you probably want to check them out yourself. Excellent, all of them.

[ebony14.livejournal.com]

Which makes Mark Knopfler a three-footed musician, because he's got another in rock. He used to play with a band called Dire Straits, remember.

I'd also recommend the old favorites: Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr.