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Accomplishments
Thanks for the $10 gift certificate. I did not have any idea CPT Barkemeyer was behind all of these efforts. We get free stuff all the time but I thought all of these [were] coming from outside persons. I happen to be staying in the same area he is, here in HHC 1-3 BTB. I am proud to have him in my platoon -- I'm the platoon sgt. I'm his link with Company issues and information, etc.
thx again for the gift.
SFC Eric Matos-Marrero
HHC 1-3 BTB 1BCT 3 ID
Camp Ramadi
APO AE 09396
United States
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What Compadres has been up to
So far in 2007, Compadres -- and their supporters -- have provided:
- A video camera and DVD supplies for taking films of troops deployed at Camp Ramadi (with some of them reading to their children from storybooks we supplied!), so the films can be downloaded to a PC and used to produce video DVD's which are sent home to the soldiers' families.
- Short-wave radios for troops stationed in small combat outposts in Al Anbar province to help relieve boredom and bring news of current events in the outside world.
- 400 $10 PX gift certificates and 20 $10 phone cards to be distributed to troops coming in from outpost duty or other rough assignments, enabling them to get a treat at the PX or call home to connect with loved ones.
- Five Microsoft X-box consoles including remote controls and video displays, with two games for each (and three more console sets to be purchased shortly) to offer some entertainment and mental stimulation, and a relief from the mental fatigue, for troops stationed in small combat outposts in Al Anbar province.
- A Sony Playstation for wounded and injured troops being treated and awaiting medical evacuation from the medical center at Camp Ramadi.
- Hundreds upon hundreds of snackfood (cookies, crackers, candy, dried fruit) and drink-mix items to give the troops much needed taste treats and to help make some of the water easier to drink.
- Quantities of religious goods - prayer cards, crosses, Stars of David, and the more- to bring spiritual comfort and connection to the deployed soldiers, and prayer books and liturgical supplies to allow religious services to be better shared and experienced.
- Hundreds of items of toiletry supplies - toothbrushes and paste, floss, shave gel, mouthwash, deodorant, shampoo, lip balm, skin lotion, kleenex, "wet-wipe" packets - to bring some welcome cleanliness, comfort and normalcy to the very rugged conditions the troops are deployed in.
- Much-in-demand "goofy fun stuff" from the dollar store, to give the troops a chance to fool around, laugh, and ease the tension - playing cards and poker chips, glider planes, dice, Nerf footballs, "Groucho" glasses, popguns, puzzles and, of course, plastic soldiers...
- A high-quality volleyball net, along with balls and a pump, to add to the other gym and sports equipment that allows the troops to get some healthy exercise and blow off some steam in positive ways.
- COMING SOON... commercial-strength popcorn and "slushy" machines - along with all the needed supplies - for the troops' rec center at Camp Ramadi... and a glass-door refrigerator for their pop and non-alcohol beer... to allow some cool relief and enjoyment in what promises to be another extremely hot Iraq summer. And, shortly after that, more slushy machines for the small and rugged combat outposts where smaller units are deployed.
Here's Some of What ComPadres Has Done, with Your Generous Support:
True to our mission and our early expectations, ComPadres has raised and spent over $25,000 on a wide variety of projects and purchases, in supporting Father John Barkemeyer, the troops he serves, and other chaplains he meets in his assignments. Here is a partial listing of purchases and support activities over the last eighteen months:
- For Iraq-bound troops in North Carolina or Louisiana, or newly arrived troops in Kuwait who are deploying into battle zones in Iraq
- Thousands of crosses, prayer cards, holy medals, rosaries, and other pocket-sized items of religious familiarity and comfort for newly deployed soldiers.
- Hundreds of DVD's to fill the downtime of soldiers with things familiar.
- $500 in phone cards
- $2,000 in PX cards
- For troops stationed in Iraq, needing a bit of encouragement, a chance to call home, or a PX certificate to buy some needed supplies or to just pick up a good book or a cold Coke
- $2,000 in $10, $15 and $20 phone cards, given to over 150 troops
- $10,000 in $10 and $20 PX certificates, given to over 700 troops
- Hundreds of letters of encouragement and support from grammar school students at several Chicago schools
- Miscellaneous "care packages" with everything from homemade cookies to socks and small toiletries.
- In support of other chaplains and the needs they identify:
- 30 sweat suits sent to Landstuhl AFB for wounded and sick troops being treated there, who otherwise have only open-back hospital gowns, and flip-flops on their feet
- $2,000 sent to the Landstuhl AFB chaplains to purchase additional sweat suits, socks, footwear, toiletries, and other supplies the injured troops require
- $1,500 in special "overseas discount" phone cards - more chances to call their loved ones back home - for soldiers in the 172nd Striker Brigade who recently learned, near the end of the deployment, that their 12-month stay in Baghdad was being extended to 16 months.
- To make religious services more audible, visible and meaningful:
- Sound projection equipment to permit soldiers attending "big tent" religious services - of whatever denomination - to hear and participate in the services, over the din of diesel-fueled generators and military vehicles
- Liturgical supplies for the celebration of the Catholic mass, including hymnals and missalettes, and a crucifix big enough to be seen, and to bring the worshippers together under the banner of their Christian faith
- For troops needing a little relief, whether in battle zones or in "rear-deployment" areas
- An espresso coffee maker, a mini-refrigerator, some light furniture and video equipment in a "soldier's cafe", to give the troops a place to relax, recover, wind down, and gear up
- Countless phone cards and PX cards delivered, with no fanfare and with no strings attached, to remind soldiers of any faith - or of no particular faith - that they are appreciated, valued and loved
- As mentioned in "Father John's Mission", video and sound projection equipment with which to offer movies and musical entertainment for troops who otherwise have very little in the way of positive stress relief and socialization opportunities.
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