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Posts: 3909
| Here’s the Skinny:
With Steve’s blessing, once again I’m asking MuskieFirst folks (and others) to please contribute reading material for our troops overseas. The success of our last book drive can be best summed up by the following post made By Captain Nathan Alexandar on Muskie First on June 30, 2010:
Nathan Alexander
Posted 6/30/2010 8:38 AM (#448022)
Subject: Many, many, many thanks!
A few days ago I received 9 big boxes here in Baghdad, Iraq.
People saw me bring the boxes out of the mail room, and many gathered round to watch as I opened them up.
The magazines were received with great excitement.
There was a scramble for the American Rifleman magazines. There was another small scramble for the handful of guitar magazines...they are pretty hard to find around here.
Interestingly, the base I'm at in Iraq actually has several small lakes/ponds around, but filled with carp rather than muskie. Still, there are plenty of people who enjoy fishing for the carp...and clearly, there were people interested in fishing after they get back home, because over the last few days since I put all the magazines out, about 2/3 of the Muskie magazines have been claimed. About the same number of Field&Stream and Bow Hunter have been taken at the same time. Since there seemed to be as many Muskie magazines as all the other magazines combined, that's really impressive.
I was extremely impressed with the books, too: there were some modern classics and older classics, too. I never expected to see "Alice in Wonderland" or "Catcher in the Rye"!
I grabbed the Dilbert book...someone else took the Doonesbury and Bloom County books within minutes.
And the puzzle books and Redbook magazines were also gone pretty quickly.
All in all, your warm gift was very appreciated by all around here. You brightened our day and made our lives here a little more interesting.
Thanks so much for your generosity!
And thanks to Ranger/Rick (not sure what he's called here) for organizing this and sending the boxes out to us!
We truly appreciate the support of all patriots back home!
Capt Nathan Alexander, USAF
And here the detail…
No deadline at this point but I hope folks who want to participate send me your stuff ASAP, the addy is below. My goal is to mail over 150 pounds of reading material this time and I can’t do it without lots of help.
So I’ll take whatever you got and re-box everything in bulk and send it to our troops in the Mideast. Don’t forget the gals. Capt. Alexandar’s kind post provides us with a better idea of what they like to read than I can suggest. Except, why not send over a bunch of current sports products catalogs like Bass Pro Shops and Cabellas and of course Rollie and Helens. We get them free and those folks can read ‘em and dream ‘em just like us. Um, keep yer Playboy’s, we can’t send anything erotic. I’ll be collecting from local sources while you mail in yer stuff.
Rick Fox
93892 Streeter Drive
Lawton, MI 49065
Stay tuned, I’ll keep you posted.
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Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I'm in. I'll have a box out to you after the holiday weekend. |
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Posts: 5874
| Ranger, great work organizing this again this year. May I suggest sending to Afghanistan troops this year?
I got a bunch of car magazines, and some on Turkey hunting, too. Who doesn't like cars and turkey hunting? |
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Posts: 3909
| Thanks Steve and good idea, Shep.
Please disregard my request for Bass Pro and Cabella's catalogs! I just got off the phone with those folks and they are sending me HUNDREDS of current catalogs.
To show their class, Bass Pro is going to try to put a short note to the troops in each book. Is that not totally cool?! |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | I have some good magazines. How about some smaller lures mixed in for fun too for the troops?? Just message me and let me know. Happy to fill a box with some for them with the magazines I find.
James
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Posts: 1207
Location: Pigeon Forge TN. | Count me in for some books and mags even if I have to go buy a few. I have some hotrod mags I will send too. Come on guys, there are an awful lot of darn good people on this board, Spread the word and lets all get in and help Ranger meet his goal this time. We all have reading material laying around. Bet your friends do too.
The men and women over Seas are giving alot more than books for us.
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | PS-My wife just reminded me (aka smacked me) that many of the tropps over there are female  Just got a pile of magazines from my wife to add to the pile!
James
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | I'll send a bunch of mags from working, mostly hunting, some fishing, and anything I have at home too. |
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Posts: 3909
| Here's how much help I need....
Last time I sent books I wiped out my complete collections of Doonsbury and Calvin and Hobbs books; I sent over everything ever published by those two guys. Then I gave up all my treasured classics in soft cover. You think SLAMR would give up his copy of Catcher in the Rye? I think not. And don't forget that Shep gave up his entire collection of "Home and Gardens" mags.
So you gotta step up folks. This effort is intended to help out our country's sons and daughters who are stuck overseas. Until they come home safe and sound.
Our troops are helped by your participation in this effort. YOU can matter, YOU can help. Please join in, it takes so little but means so, so, very much to our troopers. Let's help them get by until they can come home again.
That's the deal, Neal. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | 17.4 lbs coming for you! Everything from fishing mags, US, Today, Comics from the paper, Victoria Secret catalog , books, Fortune 500, and my daughter even put in a Cat Fancy magazine. Can't wait to see a picture of a 225lb Marine reading Cat Fancy!
Good job Rick!
James |
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Posts: 5874
| Wife read this and is sending a selection of Taste of Home, a really awesome cooking magazine. Ranger, look for a donation in the envelope to help cover shipping.
James, that is a picture I'd like to see also! hehehe
Edited by Shep 5/24/2011 7:57 AM
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Posts: 3909
| Thank you everyone!
Please don't send anything erotic; the submission protocol for donations to troops over there is strict on this issue, per my understanding.
Donations for shipping are also greatly appreciated!
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Posts: 1516
| is the swim suit issue of SI to erotic?
Edited by Pepper 5/25/2011 12:47 PM
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Posts: 1086
| Ranger - 5/25/2011 12:07 PM
Thank you everyone!
Please don't send anything erotic; the submission protocol for donations to troops over there is strict on this issue, per my understanding.
Donations for shipping are also greatly appreciated!
Define "Erotic."
I have a huge box full of car mags along with several years worth of Maxim, FHM and STUFF magazines that I was wondering just what in the heck to do with all of those. I'd gladly ship that entire box of stuff. It'd be HEAVY!
Does the Maxim, FHM and STUFF magazines fit the bill as "erotic" or fit outside of that definition? The women are fully clothed...no nudes. But lots of hilarious and fun reading throughout. They might be a few years old...but..still..lots of great stuff regardless.
I'd be glad to donate this stuff vs recycling it. But..I'd understand if that kind of mags couldn't be sent. Just looking for clarification. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Rick, box going out tomorrow you should get Tuesday UPS. Lots of Hunting, Bowhunting, Deer & Deer Hunting, Louisiana Sportsman, and lots of other hunting and fishing mags, some hard cover books, paperbacks, and my wife threw in a few People and such for the gals. Good thing you are doing. Happy to help. |
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Posts: 3909
| "Erotic" This is wasting space and should be easy to resolve...
use common sense. Don't send anything that might be perceived as erotic by the locals. If you can't make up yer mind send it to me and I'll decide. |
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Posts: 968
Location: N.FIB | I will try to send you as much as I can gather,my mother in law has 2 houses and they are in the slow process of cleaning out all the stuff in the house in chicago so they can sell,the next time they head there I will tell my wife to bring back all the books and mags that she can find.And like last time I will send some musky hunter mags I have laying around,THANKS for everything you do for these troops to help pass the time. |
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Posts: 3909
| The first box has already arrived!
Many thanks to James Haworth, owner of Tackle Industries for your help! (And thanks for the baits, too!!!!) |
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Posts: 3909
|
Today I received two large boxes of great books and mags from
Our old bud Shep
and
someone from Robinson Outdoors (who are you?, I need to know for the personal thank you PM)
The project has officially moved from "me" doing something good to "we" doing something good.
Please consider how you might contribute, readers. |
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Posts: 200
Location: Minnesota | Talk about bad timing. The wife made me donate 50 or 75 books about 2 weeks ago so we could convert the spare bedroom into the baby room.
I'm sure I can find a few more that I can part with. |
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Posts: 3909
| Another delivery! And way cool, too.
Dick Pearson comes thru with a couple of his must-read books, "Muskies on the Shield"! And he wrote a nice note in the cover for the troopers.
Thanks man! |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Rick, that was me who sent the books (me personally) and mags from me and Robinson Outdoors. Glad to do it. |
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Posts: 3909
| Got a return call from Rollie and Helen's. Jim saez "So how many cases do you want, four or five?" Since there's 40 to a case I humbly asked for two cases.
Thanks R&H, the only catalog that outnumbers Playboy in every true muskie hunter's bathroom!
clap clap clap! |
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Posts: 3909
| Today I was given an amazing donation from a local person who wants to be anaon. Check this out.....
a complete collection of the last 16 years of Rolling Stone magazine. Almost 200 issues.
Is that not totally cool? |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | That is cool. They should enjoy those. |
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Posts: 642
Location: Richfield, MN | Ranger you stated something about needing some cash to help pay for shipping them out to the troops. PM me your PayPal account or PM me your addy and I will send some cash your way to help pay for some of the shipping cost!!!!
Thanks
Mike |
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Posts: 1207
Location: Pigeon Forge TN. | Same as muddy41, I just can't find many books. I bought a couple and only have very few more. So I can help with shipping. I can send PayPal also.
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Wow! Not only cool but that woudl have been worth a little money! Very nice. |
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Posts: 3909
| 125 Bass Pro Shops Master Hunting and Fishing catalogs arrived today. Each issue contains a note that reads:
***********************************************************
"We are honored to pass along our gratitude for what you do each day to serve our great country. We are proud to support you, our Troops.
With Sincere Thanks,
Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Marine Group"
************************************************************
Very cool!
It does appear I'm going to need some help with shipping costs because I suspect the results of this drive will be at least double the target 150 pounds of reading material. I've already received some unsolicited $ donations. Any additional help appreciated!
And I/we still need more reading material.
Thank you everyone! |
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Posts: 642
Location: Richfield, MN | Money sent. If you are in need of more just give me a holler.
Thanks
Mike |
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Posts: 3909
| A nod to Mike/Muddy41 for your kind donation toward shipping costs! It already arrived. Hooray!
Thank you! |
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Posts: 32
Location: Manawa Wiscowsin | I have some older Fir, Fish & Game and some EAA Vintage Airplane mags etc. How soon do you need them? Media mail might take quite a while even from Wisconsin. |
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Posts: 3909
| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17MYeNvtzRM&NR=1
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Posts: 3909
| Muddy41 comes thru! Thank you so much for your support!
******************************************************
The target deadline (Aug 1) for ship out is approaching and pretty much everything is in place. At this point it appears folks' contributions more than doubled the weight of the last submission plus special folks are bucking up to help with shipping. Terrific responses from individuals and organizations have made it pretty easy to do this good thing.
Stay tuned; I'll be posting pics of the haul as I repackage everything into the postal boxes.
Thanks everyone. |
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Posts: 5874
| Make sure Decision Points gets packed carefully! |
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Posts: 3909
| And Russell J. A. also comes thru, thank you so much for your help!
Ok, the deadline for submissions is over and frankly I'm relieved. I have a closet stacked with somewhere around 300#s+ of reading material. Way more than twice the last time I did this. Couple notes...
Sure, Shep, I'll carefully pack the G.W. Bush's "Decision Points" book you provided. I actually read most of it, mostly out of my respect for you, just so I could try to understand your point of view. Interesting reading but the guy and his book are still both turd-o-lios.
The local post office asked that I order the large shipping boxxes via e-mail because they don't have enough in the little town post office. I still need to find a person to ship the material to, such is the rules and I'll be tracking that guy or gal down in the next few days.
Stay tuned, I'll be posting pics of the mass before I pack and then again after everything is packed up.
Thanks again, R.J.A., you helped a lot! |
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Posts: 3909
| Ok, I've recently obtained an IOP (address to send to) and the post office has shipped the materials I'll need to ship the loot overseas.
Here's a pic or two of the mass as of today....
(M1 Book Drive Pic 3.JPG)
Attachments
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 M1 Book Drive 2.1.JPG (251KB - 209 downloads)
M1 Book Drive Pic 3.JPG (181KB - 218 downloads)
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Posts: 3909
| Ok, time for an update. Check the pics above and.....
The tub in the middle holds almost 200 Rolling Stones. The 5 boxes underneath are about 250 BPS Master Fishing and Hunting catalogs each catalog contianing the note in the second picture above. Rollie and Helens provided 2 cases of catalogs. The rest are donations mostly from you guys, around 80 paperbacks, 25 hardcovers and and about 150# of magazines. There are some exceptional personal donations, you guys know who you are.
Next step is to begin boxxing everything up and filling out the shipping lables.
Stay tuned, and THANKS!!! |
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Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I'll be sending what I promised in a couple days making sure you can mail all that stuff. |
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Posts: 518
Location: Cave Run Lake KY. | Steve , I have mag's to send, Let us know I have 14 new puzzle books and we can have the DELL Magazines send you 40 puzzle books at a time to the book drive address to be sent Overseas. We just have to know when and where to make it work. Marv. |
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Posts: 3909
| Many thanks to EDALZ who just beats the clock with a box of great read and some bucks, too. Thanks!
ps - I'm trying to get some local hardware stores to donate some frisbees or other sports stuff. First contact was Tim (the local trout master) at Adams Hardware in Lawton, MI. Great place, everyone should buy all their hardware there! Anyway, wish me luck on the last minute diversion from reading material. |
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Posts: 3909
| Chin you'll have to get the stuff to me quick, I'm beginning to pack. Addy is
Rick Fox
93892 Streeter Drive
Lawton, MI 49065
Shipping cost asistance is becomming more important as the weight suddenly jumps here toward the end.
Thanks! |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Wow! I bet those guys and gals will be very happy to see this load of stuff to show up at base!
Reply: "Shipping cost assistance"
Ranger, just a suggestion but you might want to post your PayPal email if anyone wants to "gift" you money. PayPal does not put fees on "gift" money so its a real nice way to send money through PayPal... Just a thought.
James
Edited by Tackle Industries 8/31/2011 5:29 PM
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Posts: 3909
| PayPal suggestion noted, again. I don't think I have an account, though I did some time ago. Maybe suggesting checks is not the best idea.
Let me get stuff boxxed up and weighed then get an idea of where I am with the shipping cost part. Folks have been generous and if two particular donations come thru, plus my part, we might have things covered.
Stay tuned and thanks folks.
************************************************************
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Posts: 3909
| Ok update time.
I've been lazy and time's been passing but I'm back on it now.
Here's a pic of the loot with the boxes I put together today.
(2011 Book Drive Boxes and Material.JPG)
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2011 Book Drive Boxes and Material.JPG (33KB - 200 downloads)
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Posts: 3909
| And Alex T. of the Aerobie folks has committed to sending me a CASE of 10"x10" throwing fun. Many thanks to Alex at
AEROBIE! |
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Posts: 3909
| Ok, I have 20 boxxes ready so far. Had to slow down to edit some of the submissions. The pic tells all, and a nod to Shep, too.
Attachments
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Boxxing Up 1.jpg (28KB - 195 downloads)
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Posts: 3909
| Here we are, 32 boxxes.
Attachments
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32 Boxxes.JPG (24KB - 206 downloads)
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Posts: 5874
| I got a couple in there! The Muscle Car magazine in the first pic was most likely mine, too. That's gonna be my new/old hobby. 73 Z28 will soon take up space where the Tuffy resides.
Rick, thanks for not burning the book! Keep in touch. |
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Posts: 3909
| The deed is done. Today I dropped off 30 some boxes of reading material, frisbees and softballs at the post office. Total weight was 558 pounds. I have to rebox a couple of boxes I packed too full and take them back in, another 60 pounds at least. Here are some pics, I hope.
(Discs and Softballs Pic.JPG)
(MI Book Drive Postal Receipt.jpg)
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Discs and Softballs Pic.JPG (76KB - 212 downloads)
Boxes in Truck.JPG (62KB - 198 downloads)
At the Post Office.JPG (51KB - 208 downloads)
MI Book Drive Postal Receipt.jpg (107KB - 201 downloads)
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Posts: 3909
| Many thanks to everyone who provided materials, money and encouragement! Pats on backs all around!
Ranger |
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Posts: 458
| Ranger,
Great job! I know that's alot of work and I am sure the troops will appreciate it. |
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