A gold Star moment - Seems our troops are missing some needed things:

[The Straight Story]

ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Forty-seventh Legislature – Second Regular Session


COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS (P)



Minutes of Meeting

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

House Hearing Room 1 -- 1:30 p.m.

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Margy Bons, Media Representative, Packages From Home (PFH); Gold Star Mom, related that items sent to the soldiers include fabric softener to wrap around their ankles to repel fleas and other pests, gloves, razors, and balaclavas made by a group of ladies in Sun City West, which are placed under helmets for warmth because it gets very cold in Iraq. It also gets very hot so different kinds of equipment and clothing is sent. Items such as footballs are sent so the soldiers can relax and get their mind off what they did, saw, or who was hurt during a mission, and twine because clothes have to be washed by hand if there is access to water. These are things people take for granted. The number one item that is needed is toilet paper.

Chairman Pearce indicated that sometimes it is a matter of not getting items there in time, but some items sound like standard issue by the government. Ms. Bons said she wishes the items were provided, but they are not. When the soldiers return from a mission and receive a package, it helps them feel better about what they have done and being away from their families and loved ones. Her son requested candy to give to the children. She is glad Chairman Pearce’s nephew came home and surmised that if his nephew could, he would probably sign up again. The soldiers’ mind set is amazing.

Her son was in Iraq for four years. He came home and started college, but he could not make it in the reserves because he was trained in weapons and there are not many jobs for that, so he volunteered to go to Iraq. On Mother’s Day, her son was killed. She will do everything she can to support his fellow comrades who need it, and someone whose mom or dad may not have the ability to send packages will receive a package from PFH. She hopes the state will give a $250 tax credit that someone else will take advantage of and do that also.

http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/47leg/2R/comm_min/House/032906%20APP%20P.DOC.htm?printformat=yes

One odd thing I noticed - he was in Iraq for 4 years? Maybe time total over two wars, just found it odd.