An opportunity!

In talking with Daniel today about things Christmas, we had the following discussion.

Daniel says:
sure, I'm sure the terps would love to get something., I've been passing on candies here and there, but I'm sure they would love something
Diane says:
Anything you would recommend?
Daniel says:
ummm....warm garments? If you wanted to send big boxes, but other than that I really don't know, foods and goodies are good
Diane says:
What sort of warm? Civilian clothes or wool sock sorts of things?
Daniel says:
maybe something that they could wear underneath the ACUs, since they don't really have anything, and I know they are cold when we go out. I'm usually wearing a polypro underneath my kit in the mornings, and its still cold
Diane says:
Can you take a guess at sizes?
Daniel says:
larges, maybe, a medium or two
Diane says:
How many terps?
Daniel says:
ummm....lets see there is josh, Kareem, Lewaid, Steve, I don't know the rest, but there are about.....7 maybe

If you look at the slideshow, or see any pictures of the troops in Iraq, occasionally you'll see a soldier with his face covered. If you look, you'll notice an Iraqi flag patch on his sleeve, even though he's attired as a US soldier otherwise. These are the LN (Local Nationals) who risk their lives and even the lives of their families to act as interpreters for the troops. They live on base but do not get the full kit the US soldiers are issued, and are not allowed to go into the PX to buy things for themselves. Daniel is concerned they are cold, have no toiletries and are still willing to do what they do, at great personal cost.

If you're reading this and have a soldier deployed, they have "terps" assigned to their unit. A gift at Christmas to these invaluable aides would be a great thing and you can send to your soldier with instructions to pass them on. If they are confused, tell them Daniel says its a good thing.