 The good folks of the 210th. |
Why We're Sending Books to Afghanistan
My brother's unit, the 210th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron / Combat Search and Rescue Squadron, was deployed in January 2008 to Afghanistan from Alaska. For many of the guys, its their first time in combat, though the reports I've heard make it clear that life on base so far has alternated between extreme danger and extreme boredom. Regardless of one's opinion of the reasons American troops are operating in that part of the world, I think it is important to be supportive of the military men and women who, after all, are following orders and are generally always ready to make incredible sacrifices -- maybe ultimate ones -- in the cause of national defense, international peace, and freedom wherever it may be threatened.
I'm showing my support by shipping them some reading material. I'm collecting donations of novels and magazines -- fiction and entertainment only, since most of the guys who want education are already enrolled in DoD course programs -- as well as donations of cash to cover the cost of postage, which shouldn't be too bad since we get domestic rates for shipping to overseas operations.
If you'd like to donate or have Amazon books delivered to me, you can use my work address: Zachary Bos, c/o Core Curriculum, Room 119, College of Arts and Sciences, 685 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.
Those inclined to send cash donations, to be used exclusively for postage costs or for the purchase of books or magazines according to your instructions, can be sent to me via PayPal, at the account under by email address zakbos@bu.edu. I will post the names of donors along with the amount of their donation below, unless they specifically request anonymity. Shipping comes to about $0.35 per book.
Books donated after the 210th's library has reached capacity will be redirected to a destination TBD by the USO. I'm working to determine what institution might be able to receive books afterwards -- an Afghani library or school, ideally.
If you have any questions, please drop me a line at zakbos@bu.edu. If you'd like to support the troops in some other way, a Google search for "care packages + military" should give you plenty of information. Updates on what has been sent, and when, and with donations from whom, will be posted at this webpage as the project proceeds.
With appreciation for your support,
Zachary Bos
UPDATE: 3 April 2008
My brother's deployment has ended, and he's in beautiful sunny Kyrgistan for a few days before he returns to the States (the lower 48, that is, but he'll be home in Alaska soon). We'll still be collecting donations, of cash and books and comfort goods, to send to another member of his unit for distribution to the other folks in the 210th, and will be working with the Family Readiness Group at Otis to identify other units who might like some good reading. -ZB
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