CHRISTMAS IN JULY

It’s that time again! It’s so traditional in our communities in and around East L.A. to remember our G.I.’s by providing Christmas care-boxes for our boys in harm’s way, specifically Iraq and Afghanistan.

I am told that the custom started during World War II by a few women, whose sons were KIA, but wanted, nevertheless, to bless the yet living sons of some of the neighborhood soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines.

I can vividly recall opening some care-boxes myself; although our Amtrac unit was not in action at the time (1971), we were able to receive some of the precious, superfluous items. Oh, man…beef jerky; baby-wipes and pop-tarts (taste good cold!); Q-tips and Tabasco sauce! Thank-you-Lord!

Our fellowship has multiple enlisted men and more than a few officers, church members on active duty, and right in the middle of the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars as I write. Mothers and fathers and relatives and friends of members of the armed forces in both of these theatres of conflict, will be heading this memorable and honorable endeavor through our church and its members.

Why in July? From experience, we know it’ll take about eight to nine weeks for care-packages to be delivered (security-screening procedures and other logistical measures have to be met accordingly by the military, and understandably so; we wouldn’t want our armed forces to be jeopardized or compromised by ill-intent).

So, in order for the precious cargo to be delivered, precisely, by late November or December, the packages must be ready for delivery by September. As we kick-off the campaign Friday, July 4^th, we only have two months to collect, inspect and scrutinize and sort out and disperse accordingly all the donated, non-perishable-goods. Hoorah!

Well-meaning Americans send care-packages addressed with: “To any soldier serving in Iraq”—oh, man, that’s so messed up. As much as you and I appreciate anyone serving in our country, we want to insure the care-packages get to the grunts, the very people on the ground, those that are in dire of need of some of these precious commodities!

Hint: As long as you have a real name and a real address of some grunt, you can send as many as twenty boxes in his/her name! Once that person receives all the packages, the brotherhood-mentality kicks-in and sharing time commences, Praise the Lord!

Vietnam and Iraq are two different galaxies, as far as the personal needs are. One of our own just returned from his fourth tour of duty of Iraq. This is his list, he aught to know!

Lotion, Q-tips, toothpaste, toothbrush, Gold bond or Shower to Shower powder, Hand sanitizer, Chap-stick, Sun-screen (#30 or higher), Shaving-cream, Disposable razors, Deodorant, Nail-clippers, Foot-powder, Athlete-foot cream, Baby-wipes, Kool-aid, Small-aluminum-mirrors, Stationery, Envelopes and stamps; Pens, pencils, Crossword-puzzles books, Beef/turkey Jerky, Canned or bagged-tuna, Oatmeal packages, Home-made cookies (TIGHTLY-wrapped), Pretzels, Granola bars, Nuts (individual packages), Pop-tarts, Tabasco-sauce (individual packets), Granola bars, New or used CD’s, New or used paperback books, White athletic socks, disposable cameras, Thank-you cards, head-lamps, Batteries (AA or AAA’s) and lastly, Frog Toads Scarf (once wet, it becomes cold; online purchase). Devotional books and small, camouflaged, military-issue New Testament, will also be included.

If you would like us to send a care-package to a loved one, we would love to send it on behalf of you! This is what we need to know:

1. Branch of Service
2. Rank
3. Full Name
4. Address
5. A contact name and phone number (Just in case we have to get in touch with you).