What Do Deployed Troops Want? Check Their Blogs ...

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What Do Deployed Troops Want? Check Their Blogs ...
    DALLAS, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Web logs, or blogs, are quickly becoming
a popular pastime for many Americans, including service members deployed to
Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. In fact, a Google search for military
blogs returns more than 28 million results.
    What are they talking about? Well, many deployed bloggers are using their
forums to educate Americans on the best ways to send support from the home
front to the front lines.
    An Air Force Chaplain Assistant with the pen name "Airmen in Iraq," wrote
in a Sept. 10 posting (http://thewann.blogspot.com/ ), "I was talking to some
of the chaplains about care packages. We have tooth brushes, toothpaste,
shampoo, razors and all of that stuff. At this moment the only thing we can
think of would (be) calling cards. I don't think we can have too many calling
cards!"
    In a Sept. 7 posting, a Soldier also serving in Iraq echoed the Airman's
comments while warning of challenges phone cards purchased in the United
States and sent to Iraq can present.
    "I received a regular phone card in a letter from home, which was supposed
to have 60 minutes or something, but with the Kuwait-U.S. charges, it turned
into more like 13," the Maryland Guardsman who blogs as "Chris Whong"
(http://chris.whong.org/ ) wrote. "The link
(https://thor.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx ) goes to AAFES, where you can buy
the 550-unit cards for $40, which are the best value for talk time. (AAFES
usually requires you to be in the military to shop online, but they now allow
you to buy phone cards for troops overseas) If any of your troops have been
asking for phone cards (hint hint), these are the ones to buy."
    While every service member deployed to the desert could surely use an
extra air conditioner or refrigerator, troop requests are easy to fill as many
of their shopping lists are just a click away.
    "Airman in Iraq" even provided specific care package suggestions in his
Sept. 10 post. "Anything to spruce up the room," the Chaplain Assistant wrote.
"Gift certificates to Subway, Pizza Hut, Burger King, if you have access to an
AAFES a gift certificate from there would be good also. So I think the best
things really would be the calling cards and the Gift Certificates."
    Whether posted on a blog or written on a note to family back home, AAFES'
"Gifts from the Homefront" and "Help Our Troops Call Home" programs make it
easy to fulfill any service members' wish list with phone cards and gift
certificates that can be redeemed at any AAFES exchange, including 62
contingency retail facilities, as well as 61 phone centers throughout
Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
    "Gift certificates and phone cards are always a good choice," said the
Army & Air Force Exchange Service's Chief of Corporate Communication Lt. Col.
Debra Pressley. "They're adaptable, inexpensive to mail and can be addressed
to 'any service member.'"
    Any American can log on to aafes.org or call 800-527-2345 to show their
support for America's deployed troops. From there, the "Gifts from the
Homefront" gift certificates and "Help Our Troops Call Home" phone cards can
be sent to an individual service member (designated by the purchaser) or
distributed to "any service member" through the American Red Cross, Air Force
Aid Society, Fisher House or USO.

    The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) is a joint command of the
U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, and is directed by a Board of Directors who is
responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the
Service Chiefs of Staff. AAFES has the dual mission of providing authorized
patrons with articles of merchandise and services and of generating
non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for
military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. To find out more about
AAFES' history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our
Web site at http://www.aafes.com/pa/default.asp .

    Media Notes:
    For more information or to schedule an interview with an AAFES
representative please contact Judd Anstey, 214-312-3861 or anstey@aafes.com .
SOURCE Army & Air Force Exchange Service
http://www.aafes.org
http://www.aafes.com/pa/default.asp
http://thewann.blogspot.com
http://chris.whong.org
https://thor.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx
CONTACT:
Judd Anstey of Army & Air Force Exchange
Service, +1-214-312-3861, or anstey@aafes.com