Mike,
I am working with my Congressman about the current conditions for our deployed troops. I am finding some vast differences in problems our troops are having to manage, depending upon location and upon branch (Engineers, MPs, Infantry, etc.). It would be helpful if you could ask those you work with for input as well. Specifically, I am looking for the following information; however, other areas of information which is affecting morale also would be helpful.
1. How are the accesses to communications between you and your son or daughter now?
2. Are you now receiving more phone calls in the past couple of months, and if so, are they reasonably frequent?
3. Are your letters and packages to him/her going through OK?
4. Are you experiencing any problems with mail or packages from him/her to you?
5. Do you know if your son or daughter now has more than the original two uniforms and one pair of boots that he/she entered the "theater" with? Are they asking for other items of clothing, such as underwear?
6. What is the situation for food? Is he/she now getting some hot meals cooked by a kitchen facility or is the only food MREs and what you are sending yourself?
7. Do you know about living quarters? Is there now access to showers on a regular basis or are baby wipes still the only real way to clean up? What about restroom facilities? What is the condition of the insect problem now?
8. The answers to these questions will be very helpful, as my Congressman is working very hard to be sure the troops are taken care of properly. All sources of information will remain completely confidential and anonymous with me. I will summarize the responses I receive into a comprehensive report, putting it all into my own words, and not give out any information could be connected to any specific parents or their soldiers.
Thank you,
Joannie Parr
Wife of a retired Officer/Physician
Its interesting how we all share the same problems. This is a friend from the West Point Web and the questions they have listed. These are the same as those we discussed at the last meeting.
These questions are being sent to her congressman to see if things can improve. If you would like to comment on any of these issues, please send your thoughts onto me and I will make sure she gets every letter untouched.
I passed along a copy of Joannie's questionairre to my congressman. Between the both of them, maybe we can fix some of the problems.
Highlights of The Meeting With Congressman Israel
Congressman Israel is a member of the Armed Forces Committee
He knows there are many good things that are going on and we are not being told about them.
He would like to get an accurate assessment of what is going on in Iraq.
He would like to accelerate Iraqi troop training and integrate them into service faster.
He would like more Iraqis to handle Iraqi security
His major areas of concern:
- Mail
- Morale
- Communicaions
If you have any questions, please write to his office and let him know.
