Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Ever Felt ....Lonely?...... Discouraged? ...Unappreciated? ......Forgotten?


while putting your life on the line for your country....

Picture a US Marine, sitting in a Humvee in Iraq, looking out into the darkness through Night Vision Goggles and thinking:
..... do the people back home even care that I’m here? I wish they would remember me and let me know that they care. Knowing that would really help me on some of these lonely nights. I remember when we got some cards from first graders a few months back. They drew pictures for me... for me. That was neat. But here, at Christmas, does anyone even remember that I’m here?

I don't know how a solder feels about getting mail – I’ve never been one. So I asked a friend and here is how he put it to me:

I know what it feels like to get mail in the service. I was in the
US Marines and when I was somewhere spread all across the
world, the mail was almost like having your first child. It was
really exciting to hear from home and just to know that
someone actually did care... You should have seen some of the
faces at mail call when they were calling out the names and
handing the mail out. But then those few including myself
sometimes.... that big smile of anticipation would turn into
a frown when I didn’t hear my name called. It felt like your
girlfriend just broke up with you and your heart tightened
up somehow...

Ralph, when I was in Bosnia, I remember getting postcards from
some 1st grade class, with drawings on them from the kids. I
felt special. I know you don’t understand that, but I am
actually getting teary eyed just remembering how it felt. When
I was over there, to have someone actually care felt really
good. I honestly, for the longest time, didn’t think that
America really cared at all about us during the gulf way back
in ’91. I always thought they were more interested in the next
episode of Alf rather than me trying to get safely back home
from this crazy war my president put me in.

(That’s from my friend, Vic Hutchinson.)
Realizing how that soldier feels is the reason I started my Massive Giving Group.

Here we sit in our comfortable homes with our little problems .... and some of us do have big problems.
In spite of your problems, by taking 2 minutes, you can bring some cheer and encouragement to 5 special Americans who are giving their all to serve their country.

How? By sending 5 post cards. Think of what it will do for them ... and for you.

Do something COOL. Right now. Today!

Help send 20,000 Post Cards to our Troops.

You'll feel great, knowing you've brightened their day.

1. Go to this web site: Send a Card
2. Pick out a Thank you card and send it. Send more, if you have the time.

Xerox prints the cards and sends them to a soldier
who is serving in Iraq. You don't get to choose
who gets them. But they do get delivered
to members of the armed services.

3. Then tell me how many you sent by clicking here ==> I sent some

  1. Enter the number you sent and your comments in the "Leave your Comment" box.

  2. Scroll down and click the button to the left of the words "Name/URL".

  3. Enter a name. If you want to remain anonymous (which often increases the fun of giving), make up a name so I can tell you apart from other givers.

  4. If you desire, enter the URL for your blog or web page.

  5. Click on the "Publish Your Comment" below where you entered your name.
4. Get the word out about this 20,000 card project. Send this link to all your friends, post it on your blog, or put it on your web page:


or this shorter version:


5. Return here daily and send a few more. How about 5 per day? Can you do it?

Once a day in the upper right corner on this blog,
I update the total number that we've sent.

Here's what one soldier has to say about receiving these post cards:

Thank you so much for the post card. It is so nice to receive things in the mail here. Some would not believe it but the simple good feeling of going to the company mail room and the clerk saying "Yes, you have mail" is an uplifting experience. Even if it’s just a letter saying "hi" makes our day! Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers.
- An Army Sergeant
Wouldn't it brighten the spirits of lots of soldiers if
you and I get everyone we know to send several!!!
It is FREE and it only takes a few seconds.

Think of those soldiers receiving a bunch of these?
It doesn't matter whether or not you support the war,
our soldiers deserve to know we support them.

This takes less than 60 seconds and it's a marvelous way to say thank you. Please send some cards. Then take the time to pass a link on to others so they can do it also. We can never say "Thank You" enough to the men and women in our armed services.

Thank YOU for taking to time to support our military!
Now that you've sent one. How about sending some more.

Send as many as you have time to.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

Ralph Lyon

P.S. Please remember to enter how many you sent. (See step 3 above.)

579 comments:

1 – 200 of 579   Newer›   Newest»
Ralph Lyon said...

I mailed 2 today.

Anonymous said...

Sent 5 today.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 5 more today.

Ralph Lyon said...

Sent 5 today.

Anonymous said...

I sent 5 today. I found it fun to choose from the postcards. The artwork and thank you message from a child's hand is a wonderful touch. It is really easy to choose a message to include or add your own. Thanks for setting this up.

Ralph Lyon said...

Glad to hear that you found it to be so simple.
I took 2 minutes and sent another 5 today.

Ralph Lyon said...

Sent 5 more today. Soon others will start sending.

Anonymous said...

Sent 2 today

Ralph Lyon said...

Posted another 5.

Anonymous said...

Cool idea! I sent 5 today.

Anonymous said...

I sent 3 today.

Anonymous said...

2 sent

Anonymous said...

Sent 5 more today. What a breeze it is to do this. I get a good feeling from it. Will definitely do more another day.

CurlyCraze said...

I sent 5 today and one a couple of days ago.

Ralph Lyon said...

I did 5 today. Others did 21! Thank you for helping.

Anonymous said...

Sent 3

Anonymous said...

Sent 10 today.

Melodie said...

This is so easy! I've sent 30 total. Thanks for the invitation to help.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 5 today. 3 others sent 45!

Tiffany said...

I sent 10 today. You sure are persistent, dad! :) Happy Holidays!

Anonymous said...

I sent one of each on the page. I think there were 72. We have moved to the stage in life where we really don't have needs, other than the need to serve. There will never be "enough" to our service.
May you be blessed with a wonderful Christmas.

Anonymous said...

I got so inspired by the person who sent 72 today that I sent 5 more.

Ralph Lyon said...

5 more this morning.

Anonymous said...

I sent 3 and my son sent 3 more.

CurlyCraze said...

I sent 5 today

Anonymous said...

LS - Sent 20 today - 12-12-2008

Anonymous said...

LS sent 10 more, it only takes 5 min. to send 10.

Anonymous said...

I sent 3 and my son sent 3 more.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 5 more.

Anonymous said...

LS - I did 50 while my husband was reading aloud a novel.

Ralph Lyon said...

I just sent 5. Two new daily records:
Total for today was 101!
LS did 80 today.

Melodie said...

Sent 10 more today.

CurlyCraze said...

I sent 5 today.

Melodie said...

Just sent 20 more!

Anonymous said...

I sent 5 and my son sent 5 as well!

Anonymous said...

So I took your challenge in a bit of a different way. I completed 5 sets today, so thats 360 cards.

-B

Anonymous said...

I sent 5 today. And I personlized the message. That felt extra good to use my own words.

Anonymous said...

Sent 5 today!
-Lelia

Anonymous said...

LS - I only got 5 sent today.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 5 today.
I asked B how long it took him to send 360. His response was:
"I think it probably took around 45 minutes. I use various time-saving methods in Opera that cuts it down to around 5 sec per card."

I guess I need to find out how to do that so I can sent more.

Thank you to everyone who is contributing!

Anonymous said...

LS - 10 more for today.

Kirstin said...

I sent 5 more, J also sent 5!

Anonymous said...

I sent 5 today.

Melodie said...

I sent 72 today.

Ralph Lyon said...

Just sent 5 more. It's cold here. 1 degree. Brrr.

Anonymous said...

20 today

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 20 today.

Ralph Lyon said...

5 More sent. -5 degrees this morning. Thanks everyone. Two new givers today!

jewlz said...

I sent 7. Will send more later/tomorrow!

CurlyCraze said...

I sent 5 today.

Anonymous said...

What a great project! You know I'm a softie when it comes to thanking our military heroes (they all are heroes because they serve!) And I'm so-o-o happy to send these cards. I hope we not only make each soldier/sailor/etc smile, but make them feel warm, wonderful, powerfully deep, inspiring emotions of gratitude and Christian love from American citizens. I think I sent 8 on my first click into the project. I'll try to come back often. When I think of Dad/Grandpa Jones and his 30 years in the U.S. Army, I am all awash in tears of gratitude. The military world was such a part of my life growing up. And living 10 years of my life OUTSIDE of the U.S. absolutely assured that I will always love and appreciate America. Even in the rain today, all my red/white/blue patriotic flags in the yard stand out. They are amidst the red/white/green of Christmas. I never take the red/white/blue down. And in my mind and heart: freedom, democracy, sacrifice are part of Christianity. --Nanci
p.s. Always love a DO-er, and especially a motivated, patriotic DO-er. THANK YOU!

Kirstin said...

Sent 5 more today!

Melodie said...

Sent 5 today.

Anonymous said...

I sent 5 more.

Anonymous said...

Sent 14 more. We're all smiling!

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 5. 2 new givers today! 945 total sent. Who will put us over 1000?

Anonymous said...

Hi my name is Victor and I just sent out 4 postcards to the troops. I was in the Navy and I was in Somalia and Bahrain and know what it feels like to not get any mail. Its a terrible feeling, so I just wanted to help out. Thanks

Anonymous said...

I sent 5 today.

Kirstin said...

J sent 5 and I sent another 5 today!

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 10 today. It was a light day for sending. But still 29 more soldiers will know we care.

Anonymous said...

Sent 202 cards today. It might have been 204. The whole time I was thinking about our military personnel serving all over the world. And it's Christmas time. They need our support. Glad to do this tiny gesture of gratitude.

Anonymous said...

LS I sent 10

jewlz said...

I sent 6 this morning!

Unknown said...

I sent seven today.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 30 more.

Anonymous said...

Sent 10 today!

Anonymous said...

Curlycraze sent 321 today.

Ralph Lyon said...

I send 5. Others sent 591. Wow what a big day.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10

Anonymous said...

I sent 10 today.

Kirstin said...

I sent 5 and J sent 5!

CurlyCraze said...

I sent 100 today.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 5 today

Kirstin said...

Jacob and I each sent 5

Anonymous said...

I sent 5 cards. God Bless Them All!

Marc A. Casale
Algonquin, IUl.

Anonymous said...

I Sent 5 today.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 5 today.

Anonymous said...

LS - Sent 10 Cards

Melodie said...

Just sent 25.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 5

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 10 today.

One anonymous giver contacted me directly - sent 50 today.

Melodie said...

Sent 10.

Ralph Lyon said...

I gave 10 cards today.

My anonymous giver gave another 50.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10

CurlyCraze said...

After a few days with limited internet access, I'm back on the band wagon. I did 50 today.

Ralph Lyon said...

I gave 10.

My anonymous giver sent 30 today.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10 Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas.

Melodie said...

Sent 5.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 5. My anonymous giver sent 50.

Melodie said...

i sent 10.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10 and emailed some friends, maybe they will join this effort. Merry Christmas one and all.

Anonymous said...

Jenn - I sent 10 over the past 2 weeks.

Anonymous said...

I sent 4 messages today.

Ralph Lyon said...

Merry Christmas. Being in a giving spirit, I sent 25 today.

My anonymous giver gave 75 today.

Kirstin said...

J and I sent 5 total today...

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10 this morning. Merry Christmas everyone.

Anonymous said...

I sent 4 cards today. Anne

Anonymous said...

LS -I sent 10 more. Merry Christmas

Anonymous said...

I sent 20 postcards to members of our military serving so nobly abroad in less than "homey" situations. NM

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 15.
My anonymous giver gave another 50.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10

Anonymous said...

I sent 3 cards today. Anne from Florida

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 20.

My anonymous giver gave another 50.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10 today.

Ralph Lyon said...

This is so easy and quick to do. I gave 20 cards in 4 minutes.

My anonymous giver gave 40 today.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10 today.

Melodie said...

I sent 10.

Unknown said...

I sent 4.

Unknown said...

Sent 3 more.

Anonymous said...

Hi i sent 6 cards today!

Ralph Lyon said...

This is so easy and quick to do. I gave more 20 cards in 4 minutes.

My anonymous giver gave 50 today.

Welcome new givers: Julia and Robbie!

dogcow said...

sent 1

Melodie said...

I sent 10.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 20 today.

My anonymous giver sent 50.

Ann McGraw said...

Sent 1 so far, but I will be sending more once I'm home from work. Thanks for putting this project together, I will definitely be spreading the word!

Unknown said...

I sent 10

Anonymous said...

LS - missed yesterday so today I sent 40.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 20 today.

My anonymous giver sent 50.

TD emailed that he sent 10.

Melodie said...

Sent 10.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10

Anonymous said...

I sent 5 today - will send more tomorrow - and the next day - and the next...

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 10 today.

My anonymous giver sent 50.

Anonymous said...

Christine From Neshanic Station, NJ sent 5 today.

Anonymous said...

Christine from Neshanic Station, NJ sent 5 today

Anonymous said...

I just did 10!

-Lelia

Unknown said...

i mailed 2 today

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10

Ann McGraw said...

I sent 20 so far.

Anonymous said...

TD emailed that he sent 10.

Anonymous said...

I just Massively Gave 20 cards.

Anyone doing any Massive Getting today?

Kirstin said...

Today I sent 50 and Jacob sent 50! :)

Anonymous said...

Sent 504 today.

-B

Anonymous said...

Haha! I just did another 10!

-Lelia

Anonymous said...

I sent 6 today. Anne from Florida

Ralph Lyon said...

I gave 20 more.

CurlyCraze gave 100. (Posted in Massive Giving Day event.)

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10

Anonymous said...

I mailed 5 today! What a wonderful idea!!! I am Mark Henderson's maternal Grandmother, and visited with him and Melodie at Christmas in MD. I was so happy to see them. They are so much fun, and a very cute couple! Don't you agree? Dorothy Robb

Anonymous said...

I sent 5 today,and will keep the note to continue sending them often.

Anonymous said...

Nanci M - sent 8 yesterday.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 20 today.

My anonymous giver sent 50.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10

Anonymous said...

LS - might not send any tomorrow so I just sent another 10 today.
Have a great Sabbath.

CurlyCraze said...

I sent 50 today.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 10 today.

Unknown said...

I sent 3 today.

Ralph Lyon said...

I gave 20 today.

My anonymous giver gave 20.

Anonymous said...

I sent 5 today!

Anonymous said...

I just sent 5. Anne from Florida

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10

Anonymous said...

Nanci M sent 10 today.

Melodie said...

I sent 10 today.

Ralph Lyon said...

I gave 10 today.

My anonymous giver gave 30.

Anonymous said...

I just sent 5. Anne from Florida

Kirstin said...

J and I each sent 5 today.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 20 today.

CurlyCraze said...

I did 50 today

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 20.

My anonymous giver sent 30.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10

Kirstin said...

J and I each sent 10 today..

Anonymous said...

I sent 8 cards today!

Melodie said...

Sent 40.

Ralph Lyon said...

I gave 20 today.

My anonymous giver gave 20.

Anonymous said...

I just sent 5. Anne

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10

Kirstin said...

Jacob and I each sent 10.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 20 today.

My anonymous giver sent 30.

Anonymous said...

Great I idea doing this. I sent 2 today and plan on sending many more everyday. A small task in comparison to what every solider does for us and the future citizens of our country each day.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10

Kirstin said...

J and I sent a total of 20 today.

Anonymous said...

I sent 5 today. I also clicked on the link "From the troops" on the Lets say thanks site and found a reference to our thank you notes. The soldier sends a big thank you back!

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 20 on Jan 9.

My anonymous giver sent 30.

Anonymous said...

I kicked off Massive Giving Day by giving 30 post cards.

Anonymous said...

I found your site from following you on my twitter page. I went ahead and sent one today but I will continue this and send more. Thanks so very much for doing this!

Anonymous said...

LS = Little Sister - matched your 30, so I sent 30.

Anonymous said...

Marilyn sent 20.

Nanci M sent 32.

113 total sent so far today.

Anonymous said...

Missionary companion Dane B. gave 4.

Melodie said...

Happy Massive Giving Day!
I sent 50.

Anonymous said...

Sent 504 today.

-B

Anonymous said...

LS - Sent 10 more today, sorry I couldn't do more.

Unknown said...

I sent 2 today

Jacob and Meredith Hammond said...

I just sent 6. I will send some more tomorrow. :-)

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 20 today.

My anonymous giver sent 20 also.

Kirstin said...

J and I each sent 10 today.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10 cards today.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 20 today.

My anonymous giver sent 30.

Anonymous said...

LS - Here is my massive giving day. I sent 50 thank you cards.

Anonymous said...

I just sent 5. Anne from Florida

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 20 today.

My anonymous giver sent 20.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 10 cards

CurlyCraze said...

I did 50 yesterday and 50 today.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 20 Thank You Cards.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 20 today.

My anonymous giver sent 50.

Anonymous said...

LS - I sent 20 thank you cards.

Anonymous said...

I just sent 5. Anne

CurlyCraze said...

I did 50 todaY.

Ralph Lyon said...

I sent 20 yesterday.

My anonymous giver sent 25.

Anonymous said...

Dane sent 10.

Anonymous said...

I kicked off Massive Giving Day by sending 40 cards.

Anonymous said...

SEnt 50 today

Anonymous said...

I sent 20 and J sent 3.

«Oldest ‹Older   1 – 200 of 579   Newer› Newest»