Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Last week some of our US Service Members were injured during an attack on their base camp in Iraq (see article below). Yesterday I was contacted by Ray Liberto who is an Associate Director in the GWES Maintenance organization, a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and a member of the Merck Veteran’s Leadership Network (VLN). Ray informed me that there is Retired US Navy Seal that works here on the West Point Site that served with other service members stationed at the base camp mentioned above. Ray put out an email to the VLN suggesting that we send out care packages to the US Service members still serving at the base camp.
I think this would be a great opportunity for our newly formed Veterans of Steel Committee and the rest of our Local to team up with the VLN and show those US Service members at the attacked base camp how much we care about them and appreciate their service to our Country.
I am asking our committee to spread the word of this care package drive to the USW members in their departments and to make this care effort a great success . I am attaching a list of suggested items that are frequently asked for by our Troops when deployed away from home. These items will make their deployment away from home a little more bearable. Currently there is a collection box outside the Union Office in B1 . We can add more as needed.
Thanks for your help.
George Walsh MM1/SS USN
(c) 267-663-1194
‘WASHINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) – At least five U.S. personnel were injured in an attack against a military base in Iraq on Monday, U.S. officials told Reuters, as the Middle East braced for a possible new wave of attacks by Iran and its allies following last week’s killing of senior members of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah. Two Katyusha rockets were fired at al Asad airbase in western Iraq, two Iraqi security sources said. One Iraqi security source said the rockets fell inside the base. It was unclear whether the attack was linked to threats by Iran to retaliate over the killing of the Hamas leader’.
List of suggested Items For Troop Care Packages
- Baby wipes
- Good work gloves
- Cleaning wipes
- Pop Tarts
- Hand sanitizer
- Mechanic work gloves
- Licorice
- Beef jerky
- Cracker packs
- Protein bars/powder
- Cigars, any brand is ok
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Feminine hygiene items
- Good coffee….