2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne) "The Rock" - Update

 I'd like for you to meet some of my friends who have made incredible contributions towards making sure the Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne) "The Rock" have as comfortable a winter as possible in Afghanistan.

Lakeland School Collects Socks for Our Soldiers

Each year in remembrance of 9/11 Lakeland Elementary School has a "Be A Hero for a Hero" day.  They select a group or person to spotlight.  In the past they have spotlighted policemen, firemen, local utility workers (Now that's a story in itself.  We had an "inland hurricane" here a couple of years ago in mid summer and the entire metro area was without power for up to 3 weeks.  The utility workers were amazing.  Anyway...) and last year they spotlighted a deployed Soldier whose son attends the school, etc.  This year they chose to spotlight B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne) "The Rock".  They even solicited assistance from Arlington (TN) Elementary, Arlington (TN) High School and Barrett's Chapel Elementary.  In a 10 day period they brought in socks, gift cards and cash valued at over $5000.00.  Every penny of the money donated was used to purchase winter wool hiking socks.  An individual paid for all of the shipping costs.  Now THAT'S what I call heroes!!!  I want to thank the principal of Lakeland Elementary as well as their PTA President for making the decision to spotlight B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne) "The Rock" and for their tireless work to the project. Both of those ladies are Rock Stars!  A big thank you to the teachers and administrative staff, too.  What a success it was. 

As if that wasn't enough I had a chat earlier this week with the PTA President and asked if the school would be interested in having the students make cards for the Soldiers.  She spoke with the principal and within less than an hour had agreed to do so. 

Let me share a few more photos of the students then I'll bring you up to date on the other donations made so far...

Lakeland School Collects Socks for the Sky Soldiers

The young man on the left brought in the second largest number of pairs of socks.  I wasn't there to take the photo of the student who brought in the most pairs of socks.  The father of the young man on the right is currently deployed to Iraq.

Gotta love that American flag flying in the classroom!

Students signed a University of TN flag to send

A local business donated two University of Tennessee flags to send.  The students signed one and the teachers signed the other.  Both were tucked in to random boxes and sent on their way to remind the Soldiers how much we love and appreciate them.

Now on to other updates.

A lady from Texas called yesterday.  She has personally commited to of Alpha Company.  She commited to sending 100 pairs of socks and sock liners, 100 sticks of lip balm, 100 3/4 inch packages of baby wipes (she buys in bulk then puts them in zip top bags - GREAT idea!), 100 pen lights and various drink mixes packaged for 100 Soldiers.  WOW!  That is amazing, incredible, unbelievable...  She went on to tell me that she is checking on securing 100 fleece neck gators/scarves as well as hand warmers.  What an amazing lady.  And, she IS an amazing lady.  She'd prefer to stay "under the radar' which is why I'm not mentioning her name.  Her background does include strong ties to the military.  The "list" of what she does in support of military personnel current, retired and MIA is endless.  Thank you HW!  Thank you!

Another lady emailed me that she has ordered a case of baby wipes and tubes of lip balm.  She also indicated that she has a friend who will be contacting me.  There have been a number of emails from people asking where to send items but who haven't mentioned specifically what they are sending.  I'm excited to see what will be dropped at my front door in the coming days.  A business in Alabama is sending me, via 2nd day air, 40 fleece blanets.  To date, aside from what was mentioned above, this is what I know is in transit:

92 pairs of socks

480 pairs of hand warmers

3 cases of baby wipes

I'm still waiting to hear from ConcreteBob about that potential "big donation."  (refer to previous post).  I have every hope that it will come through.  Meanwhile, for those of you who may be looking at the "big numbers" above please do not be intimidated.  ONE fleece neck gator, ONE pair of socks, ONE tube of lip balm, etc. will make a huge difference for these Soldiers.  Let's continue to band together to make sure they get enough comfort from home to help make the winter more bearable over there.  The added bonus is that it will also help their families by giving them the comfort of knowing their loved ones aren't forgotten or unappreciated. 

I received the following from one of the wives of the men of the 2/503 last night.  I'm going to share it with you and not disclose her identity for reasons I'm sure you all understand.  If this doesn't tug at your heart I don't know what will:

I am the wife of XXXXXX XXXXXX. Thank you so much for all that you are doing.  When I found AS (www.anysoldier.com) I have to say I began to cry that so many people still cared and supported so much that they'd go above and beyond to get special requests filled for the soldiers.  I guess it was a miracle that when I googled Korengal I found AS.  My husband has been able to pass out so much there not only to his 9 under him but to many others there. They are sleeping more soundly in their warm comforters, clean socks, and clean tshirts with their tummy's somewhat full from all the food shipped also.  I only hear from my husband about once every 4 - 4 1/2 weeks. We have two daughters 9 & 5. They miss him so much but understand. When I told them about you and all the other supporters my oldest started crying saying that was the nicest thing she's ever heard of.  She went to the park to tell everyone of the great people out there supporting everyone.  This was last night.  Thank you again from the bottom of mine, my daughters, and my husbands heart.  You truely are HEROES in the eyes of the soldiers and their families. Thank you again.

Love to you and yours,

XXXXXX

P.S. If there is anything more I can do to help you out please let me know. I'd love to help in anyway possible

WE CAN DO THIS!!!  We WILL do this!  There is nothing more powerful than a group of American's who ban together to get a job done.  Our Soldiers are doing the hard job.  We can DO this job for them.  Get your communities involved, your churches, civic groups, friends and family.  Five, ten, twenty dollars towards sending comfort to those who put their lives on the line every day for us isn't really so much, is it?

Email me - tankerbabelc@gmail.com.  Let's move out!!!

HOLY SMOKES!!!  The "lady from Texas" just emailed me with updated information as to what she is sending.  Before I post it below I must make a correction - she isn't sending pen lights.   I'm not sure where I dreamed that up.

Drum roll please...........................

140 pairs of hiker heavy duty socks washed
140 pairs of sock wicking liners
150 tubes lip balm
150 3/4 " pkgs body wipes
150 (variety pks of at least 10) individual drink mixes
150 pkgs (contains more than one) chemical hand and feet warmers
100+ neck gaitors
150 (2 to a pk) Lammes pralines [TEXAS flags] 
Whittington's (Johnson City, Texas) jerky to feed an army 

I don't know about the rest of you but I am sure feeling the love today.  Thank you HW.  Thank you so much!!!