From the Contributing Editor:
Operation AC/Adopt a soldier
While flipping around the radio dial the other day I came across a very interesting interview of a lady named Frankie Mayo. She is the founder of a non-profit outfit called Operation AC which supplies troops in Iraq and Afghanistan with items such as boots, personal supplies and, of course, air conditioners. Recently they sent some icemakers for a K-9 unit stationed in Iraq. It all began when her son who was stationed in Iraq wrote describing the brutal conditions and asked her to send him an air conditioner.
Summer conditions in Iraq can be beastly to say the least. The heat can get to 145 degrees at its worst. Currently the Baghdad weather is 95+ degrees. As of June, Operation AC has sent over 7800 air conditioners to our service men and women. Winter is also tough in that arid world. To help our troops bear the cold Mrs. Mayo is now sending oscillating ceramic heaters. Operation AC accepts donations from private citizens to fund the bulk purchase of these and other items and to cover the shipping costs.
While these bulk shipments are much appreciated by the troops, another service that Mrs. Mayo founded which is even more appreciated is the Operation AC’s Adopt a Soldier program. You can sign up to “adopt” a trooper and send him or her cards, care packages, anything you want to let them know that they are appreciated by you for the service and sacrifice they are making on our behalf. The holidays are approaching and we all could make this time of year a little less unpleasant for them by “adopting” one.
The website is www.operationac.com and I hope that you will check out the site and do your part. This is nothing new for Americans. During World War Two, rationing was in place so that our troops could have what they needed. Called the ‘greatest generation,’ they did their part at home to help with the effort overseas. Government bureaucracies are usually inefficient on one hand and face budget constraints on the other. They cannot do it all and some things fall through the cracks. However, time and again, when private citizens get involved great, amazing things happen. Now it’s our turn to step up, just a little, and help boost the morale of our forces during this holiday time of year.
By the time you are reading this the election will be over and hopefully (ha) without court fights over hanging chads. Between the media, work, family and the holiday season, distractions abound and remembering our servicemen and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan might be difficult. We should make the effort. DBJ
Jamie Smith
DBJ Contributing Editor
