Adopt a Platoon

Several days ago, a fellow F-Chatter doing time in Iraq made this post:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204036

After exchanging a few PMs, teide agreed that portable FM radios would be a great morale booster. A couple of years ago, I did this for a MASH unit in Iraq that was staffed by another F-Chatter. Long story short, these guys are bored and lonely, such is life in the military. It hasn't changed in 500 years and probably will not change in the next 500 years. When Rifedriver and I did the MASH deal, we first considered options such as i-Pods and the like. However, the feedback we got was that simple and easy was the best answer. It turns out that Arms Services Radio is very popular. So, a simple portable FM was the way to go.

Brother Bruce was kind enough to send batteries.

Last time, I went with a radio that was like this from Radio Shack:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family


Quote:
Presidian AM/FM Stereo Cassette Player

$17.59
Model: 12-320
Catalog #: 12-320
Online: In stock
Usually ships in 1 - 2 business days

What's in the box

AM/FM Stereo Cassette Player
Headphones (2)
User guide


How can you help? Easy:

1. If you know of a portable FM with headsets that is a better deal, please let me know.

2. If you have any contacts with a distributor or retailer, I would appreciate some help. Last time, I tried to get Radio Shack to sell me the radios by the gross, but I could not gain any traction. I was concerned that the MPs would freak out with a box full of loose radios. However, each radio comes in an individual blister pack so apparently this worked.

However, what I would prefer is to buy them by the box and have them shipped directly to Antonio's APO address. A box of 50 radios will cover a platoon. It would be nice to get a break on the price, but not critical.

3. Batteries. These radios typically take AA, and we'll need a bunch.

4. If you want to donate money to this effort, I have made arrangements with the local FCA club to run this through their bank account. If you want to contribute some money, please make out a check to the FCA-Adopt a Platoon fund and send to:

FCA
c/o Bobby Perry, CPA
4901 Bellaire Blvd
Bellaire, TX 77401

About the money, here's how I'm going to do it. I'm going to front the $1,000 or so necessary to make this first shipment to Antonio by the end of July. If you send any money, I'll use it for the next shipment to another platoon. If all this blows up in my face, I'll send your checks back. However, I'm still going to send this first shipment. Life is way too short to wait.

If you want to do this yourself, more power to you. Send teide a PM, and he'll be happy to send you his APO address.

Finally, this is completely nonpolitical. Regardless about how you feel about the war, these guys are humping it for us. We just need to let them know that the world hasn't forgotten them.

Dale

 

Antonio just gave me permission to post his APO. If you prefer, just send whatever you want directly to him.

Sanchez Antonio
TRP C 1-151 CAV
COB ADDER, TALLIL
APO AE 09331

Dale

 

Come on folks, let's not forget these guys --

Dale

 

We have already sent one batch of radios, so car mags would be great. Also, little things like laundry detergent are cool.

Dale