Everyone,
James and I had a sobering evening yesterday after leaving our mom's house. We went to visit Todd's mom (for those of you who don't know, Todd is our best friend who is fighting for the second time over in Iraq). While there, she told us some awful things that Todd hasn't been communicating to anyone but her. As you all know, the troops over there aren't being given the material aid that they need. That's old news. But what I wasn't aware of was just how BAD it really is.
Shannon shared with us that Todd has had to ask her to send even the most basic things, LIKE WATER. I kid you not, Todd has had to ask that she send liquids, of any kind, because they are only given 1 LITER/DAY. He's "fighting for democracy" over in Iraq and yet the government can't supply him or his troops with adequate water or food. Shannon also told us that he is in 104 degrees heat (and increasing), in full gear, only allowed the 1 liter of water/day!! to drink, and is given fans that don't even work. He has to sleep with a rifle every night. He has already lost about 12 soldiers in his unit/squadron (and been there only 2 MONTHS!) and he is in the thick of it. Shannon sends Todd food and water everyday. She does it so often that the postal workers at the HB post office know Shannon personally. She showed us the boxes and boxes of food and water that she sends him. Obviously, it's not cheap for her to send these large packages every day, but she does it because he's her son and because the government isn't doing its job.
James and I both felt guilty after leaving Shannon's for not doing more for Todd. The fact that we had just spent the day with family and enjoyed an incredible feast made us feel even worse when we realized that Todd is without adequate food and water.
It's despicable and I think he deserves better.
The only way to help is to join Shannon in sending Todd supplies and to write our political leaders about this atrocity. Please take some time to send a quick email to our leaders to let them know that their constituents won't put up with our friends and family overseas being treated this way.
I've found the contact information for some politicians we can write. The House rep is for Ventura, but you can easily find your local rep on www.house.gov. These sites have a link at the bottom you can click on to send an email.
Here's our House representative:
http://www.house.gov/gallegly/
Here is the Democratic Majority leader in the House:
http://hoyer.house.gov/
Here's the Speaker of the House:
http://www.house.gov/pelosi/
Here's the House Committee on Armed Services:
http://armedservices.house.gov/
Here's the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
http://veterans.house.gov/
And of course, here are our Senators:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=CA
James and I are going to compose letters and send them to each of these individuals/groups. The more they hear from us the better. They need to know that their constituents are outraged (at the very least) by the lack of material support for our troops. Not to mention that we want them to come home.
If you'd like to send Todd letters or packages let me know and I'll give you his address. He is desperate to hear from us. The times I've spoken to him, he sounds like a different person. He's not the same gung-ho GI anymore. He's in the thick of very heavy fighting and he wants out.
Thank you and please help!
~Lisa