Hi Janie,
Most everyone knows by now that the "Any Servicemember" mail has stopped for this year. I called the Red Cross office in Saudi today to see how that affected delivery of Beanies that people were sending. She said that they are not able to accept packages anymore. She stated that this is most unfortunate because it was really starting to pick up since the last time I spoke with her. Everyone who received one really appreciated the fact the people back home had taken the time to think about them and send something in hopes of boosting their morale. The Red Cross cannot accept any packages until further notice unless they know exactly who sent the package and where it's coming from.
As we tried to figure out how to keep this going, she came up with a great idea. She said people "back home" could contact their local Red Cross office and see if they could send the Beanies for them. Anytime a Red Cross office sends a package to another Red Cross office, they inform them that a package is on the way. She's not sure if all the local offices would be willing to do this but thought that they would. Plus, it would be a good way for people to learn what all their local Red Cross has to offer. It would be worth checking out!

In other news, everyone knows that the humanitarian airlift that's dropping HDRs (Humanitarian Daily Rations) is based here at Ramstein. Today, I had the opportunity to assist with this. I and several other volunteers opened several thousand boxes of HDRs (there are 10 in a box) and dumped them into the large boxes that are being dropped from the planes. Everyone who is actually helping to load these boxes with HDRs are volunteers. They've actually had to turn people away because so many people want to help on a daily basis. Anyway, I was able to get one of the packages that the food is in. Everyone knows they're yellow plastic, but since most people have never seen one up close, I scanned the front of it so your readers can see what's actually on the outside.
What a fantastic feeling it was being able to help out with this! I've been in the Air Force for 18 years now but have never been able to directly help with a humanitarian mission until today. I plan on volunteering at least several more times. It's back- breaking work with a lot of bending, stooping, twisting, and lifting, but it's well worth it. Knowing that you've possibly reduced someone elses suffering makes it all worth while.

If you and your readers would like to find out more about Operation Enduring Freedom and the humanitarian airlift, please go to the attached U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) website. If you go to the "Imagery" section, there are some great digital videos of the HDRs being dropped out of the C-17s.
http://www.usafe.af.mil/airdrop/home.html

As always, keep up the great work, and thanks again to you and your readers for all you're support!

John