Freezing Soldiers in Afghanistan Need Help From Oregon

Salem residents are going to pack at least 200 boxes for these troops and about 50 more for other units.

Soldier in the Afghan winter live without even a building, let alone adequate heat or any comfort. These images were shot by a member of the Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade, full size pictures are at the bottom of the story.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the remote mountains of Afghanistan are surviving cold and miserable winter weather conditions. With the extreme elevations in this country, these soldiers are supplied by airdrop and need to hand carry supplies to their camps from the drop zone.

Some of these troops are at such remote firebases that they are living in mud huts and often go several weeks without bathing. They wear their socks until they must throw them away, says John Baker of Salem, the founder of a program called 'Operation: Love Boxes For Our Troops' who describes the area as almost uninhabitable, "This is an 'in the trenches' front line unit actively engaged in battle on our behalf in terrible conditions" he said.

Baker says that on January 15th at the Love Box Headquarters in Salem, Ned Baker Realty, they are going to pack at least 200 boxes for these troops and about 50 more for other units.

"This appeal is for each of you if you can, to purchase items off the list below or search for items you are not using in your homes and drop them off at 2339 State St Salem, Oregon 97301 or better yet, bring the items with you and help us out by packing boxes from 6:00-8:00 PM."

Baker says there is a list of items people can select from , those items include thermal underwear - tops and bottoms. Mostly size medium but some large and extra large. Must be black, dark grey or green, winter wool hiking socks - dark colors and hand warmers.

The soldiers also need construction tools - battery operated drills, etc. They also need hand tools such as saws, nails and screws. These are needed to assist in building and improving their "living" quarters.

Baker says it is important to remember that the Soldiers who are living at the Firebases are living in non-heated mud huts. Winter has arrived. It is cold and snowy up in the Hindu Kush Mountains and I can verify that personally as I was there with these soldiers last winter, the cold is unimaginable.

There are also newly requested items:

* Apple Cider drink mix

* Protein bars and non perishable snacks (nuts, goldfish, packaged cookies, etc.) for the Soldiers at the Firebases who are eating MREs.

* Spices for the cooks. We've heard that they are in the process of setting up field kitchens at most, if not all, of the Firebases in order to provide one hot meal a day.

* Bread makers - if you have one that you got for a gift and never used or have used only a time or two please consider donating it. The Soldier who is in charge of all cooks says that the "bread" they receive is frozen. By the time they thaw it out and cook it, it crumbles to the touch. Fresh bread seems to be a simple pleasure these men would love to have.

* Lasagna noodles. We think we have shipped enough for them to provide one lasagna meal. Let's see if we can't make that two or three. The Army provides all of the other ingredients for lasagna but not the noodles. I'm guessing they provide spaghetti noodles or macaroni.

* Chef's knives.

* Ethnic spices such as Goya, Asian, etc.

Baker says that so far, they have purchased 800 pairs of wool socks which is all Costco had left in Valley. Costco has sold out of the Little Hotties hand warmers he said.

"We are trying to have the Costco buyer arrange for a mega purchase for us. Please search your homes for any tools, nails, screws, and any other items that you are not using that can be of use to them. They do not have microwaves. Since we are using the flat rate boxes, please keep the items such that they will fit in an 8.5” x 11” x 5.5” deep space."

Baker has been operating Loveboxes for some time now, and he says he is grateful to the people in Salem who have made the project a reality, "We all look forward to seeing what Salem, Oregon can do to let the 173rd know that they are nor forgotten," Baker said.

Baker included a letter in his release to Salem-News.com from the family of one of the soldiers. It is interesting and sad that the federal government is not providing better for those they demand so much of, we thought the perspective was important.

"I really appreciate the assistance you and your helpers are providing to the 173rd. My son is with that unit at Firebase Vegas at this time. There conditions are awful!! My son sent pictures of their living conditions and it's not fit for a goat. I (and my husband) spend anywhere from $200 - $400 a month sending items to my son's platoon. Having a hand in supplying these great men with what they need is wonderful. I am currently living in Texas or would be there for your packing party. Again thank you for the assistance. I keep finding people like you that make the separation and worry easier to handle."

- Parent of a soldier in the U.S. Army's 173rd

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Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with almost twenty years experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist and reporter. Today, in addition to his role as a war correspondent in Afghanistan where he spent the winter of 2006/07, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website, affiliated only with Google News. You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com