"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to
be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
That is how one achieves happiness.
- Major K.
I am amazed. I have received dozens of e-mails offering help for my informants and the men of the Battalion with some of these gear issues. The Army sometimes has tendency to either move too slow, or decides in its infinite wisdom that we don't have a need for certain things. From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the NightStalkers and their Iraqi brethren, THANK YOU ALL!! I have been impressed and flattered many kind words and offers of incredible generosity. You are the people that make America a unique and special place. You are nothing short of inspirational.
Now for the details:
- I have had so many people offer flashlights that I think that we may wind up temporarily overstocked. Thanks.
- Handcuffs are what we need in the greatest numbers. They just make life a lot easier and cut down on hassles and cuts. This is a good link to some reasonably priced ones.
- MP3 Recorders, I have had a few offers, but could use a few more. Please don't overdo it...
- As for the Body Armor, I am stunned by the generosity of JJ, who already has one set on the way, and Mr. M. who has offered to match any contributions for Body Armor up to $1000! Amazing. Mr. M. has set the condition that he wishes to remain anonymous. I am putting JJ in charge of this, so those who are interested in kicking in, please e-mail him, and he will get in touch with you.
Thank you so much to all. For those that I have not been able to e-mail yet, you can send anything to the NightStalkers c/o
HHC, TF 1-184, 3rd ID
APO, AE 09364
Thanks again to all. You are great Americans.
The logic is very simple.
Cash is nothing compared to the lives of our soldiers.
If some of my cash can help you guys stay safer, and fight the terrorists, I will spare all I can. If I could be there fighting beside you I would be, but that is no longer an option for me, so cash it is.
If the government were to post war bonds, I'd be buying them up. Or if the government were to increase our taxes with the funds going directly to help the war effort and not the defense contractors, I'd be for it.
Keeping those informants alive and well, helps you with your job, which will make the mission successfull, which will bring you all home sooner, rather than later...
Take Care...
Posted by: Keith, Indianapolis | May 12, 2005 at 10:49 PM
I wish I wasn't so strapped for cash right now, otherwise I'd be sending over ten pairs of handcuffs for you.
I highly reccomend these guys though: http://www.handcuffwarehouse.com/chhaco.html
the chicago brand is a very high quality cuff for its low price. its no S&W, and it's definitely no Peerless, but for the money they can't be beat. (especially the stainless models!).
you might want to see if the company would be interested in making some donations to you guys. and I'll see if I can dig up a hundred bucks to send you as many pairs as I can. get me your shipping info and I'll see what I can do.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: CHS | May 13, 2005 at 12:26 AM
I have in my possession two pairs of handcuffs, one S&W and one Peerless. As I am now retired, I no longer need them and I'm sure you can put them to good use.
I will mail them with keys to the HHC address as soon as possible.
Thank you for your service and God's blessings.
Dave Vet, U.S. Army, Korean vintage
Posted by: Dave | May 13, 2005 at 01:21 AM
Great effort !
I would like to help and donate.. JJ, Maj K is there something I can do? JJ sended you a mail.
Regards S-R
Posted by: Soul-Rebel | May 13, 2005 at 02:47 AM
"The logic is very simple.
Cash is nothing compared to the lives of our soldiers."
Well said!
Posted by: Dave | May 13, 2005 at 05:38 AM
I only get a monthly disability income. But I have a resourceful brother. I'm going to see what he can help me with for you guys. "Don't ask?"-lol!
Posted by: devildog6771 | May 13, 2005 at 10:23 AM
ciao, vi sono vicina. grazie per quello che fate. con affetto patrizia
Posted by: patrizia-italy | May 13, 2005 at 02:02 PM
Hey Maj. K., don't be so surprised that we're all "here" and want to help out. Sheesh. That's almost an insult.
CHS makes a good point re donations. In my experience many companies are willing to donate. Sending JJ an email.
Posted by: MAinMUC | May 13, 2005 at 02:48 PM
Maj. K., ditto to what MAinMUC said. We are all in this together. You are never alone.
Posted by: Joe | May 13, 2005 at 04:57 PM
You guys never let us down,we'll never let you
down. Love to all y'all.
Posted by: Mary | May 14, 2005 at 09:19 AM
Major K.,
I just came across your blog and see that you have a need for handcuffs. I am a police officer in Oklahoma City and would like to help. Tell me a bit about your unit and it's mission (OPSEC cleared info ofcourse!), so I can tell the guys when I'm hitting them up for a donation or equipment.
Stay Safe!
DPE
Posted by: David Ellis | May 14, 2005 at 08:32 PM
Perhaps I missed it, but your site does not seem to include instructions for shipping gear to you. Please post those instructions or tell me how to find them. On the subject of handcuffs, I propose to have the vendor send the sets to you directly. Maybe some other readers would like to pool together to order a quantity sufficient to get a better price from the vendor or free shipping.
Posted by: Jack Kint | May 15, 2005 at 06:14 PM
I don't know about the quality, but http://store.merchandizerdirect.com/moramhc1.html
is half the cost. If it were to be OK, (qualitywise) everybody could have twice the quantity for the same money
Posted by: Jhn1 | May 16, 2005 at 04:40 AM