A Marine Responds to the Writers Guild strike

The following post is written by Corporal Sarah Ellis, USMC, age 19, currently deployed in the Al Anbar region of Iraq. 
A Marine in my unit receive a gift box from Nancy Reza, a member of the Writers Guild of America, with a letter inside that read as follows:

“This gift box was sent to you from members of the Writers Guild of America, West. [We] represent writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable, and new media industries in both entertainment and news. We, the writers, are on strike – because the conglomerate corporations that own the studios and networks won’t give us a fair deal for the use of the television shows and movies that we create and write.

 

“They’re not very good at sharing. But we are good at sharing, and that’s why we got your name from AnySoldier.com – took a look at your list, and put this gift box together for you – knowing that you will share, too!

 

“Each box is made with lots of love. We keep you in our prayers – and know that you will be home soon!

 

“If you get a minute – let us know you’ve received the box! Many thanks to you – and please be safe.”

 

I picked up the above letter off of a desk. It had been placed there, and probably forgotten about, after the accompanying care package was opened by a fellow Marine. No, the care package was not mine. And yes, I am nosey…very, very nosey. I wouldn’t be good at my job if I wasn’t. It was one of the first things my Staff Sergeant taught me. And no, I wasn’t invading anyone’s privacy. When Marines and soldiers and sailors get a care package or letter, it’s often shared with everyone in the platoon. We have bulletin boards cluttered with letters from people we don’t know. They’re put there for everyone to read.  

 

When I first read this letter I was taken aback by what I saw, by what they were saying. I didn’t really care at first. But then I took a second look at the letter. Some of the words were italicized, and it struck me then that it wasn’t what they were saying it was how they were saying it. 

 

So here’s the jist of my whole interpretation of the letter. They were acting like little kids, talking about sharing and how the big corporations weren’t being fair. They were whining and complaining about not getting what they want. Then it hit me, they weren’t sending the package out of he kindness of their hearts. They did it to make a

political statement to us here in Iraq who put our lives in harm’s way so that grown men and women can whine, complain, protest and act like kindergartners because they aren’t getting the pay they think they deserve for their hard work.

 

Well boohoo. I don’t get paid enough to work 16-hour days and pull all nighters only to work again the next day. I don’t get paid enough to put my life on line for people who protest for things that I don’t believe in or even care about. I don’t get paid enough to spend time away from my family for months at a time in a foreign country, or even days or weeks away from my family even when I’m stateside, so I can train for the mission. And guess what? You, Writer’s Guild, can protest all you want for better pay and higher benefits. You know what happens to me if I protest? I get tried for treason.

 

Here’s something else: I, as well as other Marines, DON”T CARE. All you are accomplishing by striking is to create an angry bunch of out-of-work people stateside, and a bunch of disgruntled Marines in country because we can’t watch a new episode of Heroes or Lost. We don’t care about your wants out here, or the fact that you aren’t getting what you want from your job. Suck it the f**k up, and deal with it. 

 

 

 

All the Way From Iraq: A Lesson in Gift-Giving

Many groups and organizations here in the United States have been gathering and sending holiday care packages to our troops. This is a wonderful way of remembering and supporting them. What is even more wonderful is when the troops receive what they need. This happens when the people sending the care packages do their homework to discover what is necessary and what is not, because not all deployed personnel need the same things.

Here’s how it went with my daughter’s unit, currently deployed in Iraq: Several people had asked me what was she and her unit needed. So I asked my daughter to find out. Her unit is stationed “behind the wire”. There is an exchange, a chow hall and other amenities. The needs of her unit are different from those of a unit that is regularly “outside the wire”. She sent me a detailed list, which I distributed to those who asked. Items were collected and boxes shipped.

I received a phone call from my daughter a few days ago. She mentioned all the packages her unit was receiving. A lot of the packages contained things that were not needed, wanted or necessary. I was perplexed since many of the packages she was speaking of were from groups who got her list.

It’s not that the troops do not appreciate care packages. But there has to be some disappointment when yet another box full of toothpaste arrives at a unit that already has enough toothpaste on hand to last for a couple of years. The best things they’ve received at my daughter’s unit are small toys like yo-yos and slinkies that supply simple entertainment, games and homemade goodies.

The lesson I brought home from this conversation: The value of a gift is determined by the receiver and not the giver. Listen to what people want. Even if they don’t say it outright, you can pick up on what they will value by listening to them.

I have received gifts from well-meaning people who just somehow miss the mark. Their intentions are good, but they give something I don’t need, can’t use or already have. Most of us have experienced this; customer service counters at retail stores are mobbed on the day after Christmas with recipients returning unwanted gifts.

Giving a gift just because it’s the thing to do is all too common. In doing this, are we thinking about the person receiving our gift? Will they be delighted or disappointed? What will make their faces light up? It’s something to think about, anyway, whether you are giving to a military unit or to your mom and dad.

Of course, you can always get them a gift card and let them pick out their own gift…

Two Ways We Can Support Our Wounded Troops

Not wounded, but making sure other Marines are kept from injury, are Chaplain Nieto and members of MWSS 272-IRP. Photo courtesy of MWSS 272 (deployed), USMC. 

While our Congress and the NBC television network seem determined to undermine and emasculate our military, we the people are rising up in determined support of our troops. Not only are organizations like Rotary, AYSO and church groups shipping holiday goodies to those deployed, but there’s been a movement of individuals to send holiday greetings and statements of appreciation to our wounded.

This is a great idea, and I hope it blossoms into more than a seasonal trend. But a card addressed to “A Recovering American Soldier” cannot be delivered due to security reasons, making our good intentions go unfulfilled. Instead, here are two guaranteed options for getting our greetings and thanks delivered:

Operation Holiday Thanks

Operation Holiday Thanks is an effort by FoxNews to collect and send cards to recovering service members in military hospitals not only in the United States but also in Baghdad (according to E. D. Hill of Fox News America’s Pulse in her broadcast this morning.)

Operation PAL™ 

Another opportunity is through MarineParents.com. It’s known as Operation PAL™, and supports injured and ill Marines and sailors. Operation PAL™ has been in existence for awhile, and its web site lists specific individuals who are currently recovering from injury or illness. You address your letter to a specific individual and send it in care of Operation PAL™. A list of names is provided on the site.

Let’s keep this thanksgiving greetings campaign going all year long. Whatever holiday we celebrate during the year, it’s an occasion to remember the price of our freedoms that has been paid by our soldiers, Marines, pilots and sailors.

-Alvalyn Lundgren