At the age of 63 I got drafted again. I’m now in Ninepatch’s Army. Our mission: while in Austin for Net Roots Nation, we plan to pack and send 100 Care Packages to our troops. Tonight we have Jonathan Norrell on the line [think of my role here as Larry King – without the paycheck or toupe]. Jonathan is still in the Army and has been a recipient of care packages – but not from Ninepatch or any of you.
If you don’t know Jonathan, here’s a clip from CBS News.
While he was in Iraq, as an Army Medic Jonathan, saw some awful combat. He developed PTSD as a result. As you heard in Kim’s story, since he got back the Army’s treatment of him – less than good.
This afternoon Jonathan and I talked about his new mission. Shortly his unit will be returning to Iraq. About that time Jonathan should be out of the Army. His new mission is to catch the backs of his buddies while they are in Iraq. The first thing he’s doing is joining us – via cell phone – to tell us what it’s like to get a care package, what was in his, and what he would like to see in the one we will be sending to his unit from NetRoots Nation. Because we are
Jonathan is lurking – actually reading this through his playstation while on the line with Ninepatch. All of Jonathan’s words – filtered through Ninepatch – will be in block quotes.
Llbear: So who sent you these packages?
Jonathan: First of all let me say hi to everyone. Thanks for reading this, but most of all thanks for supporting us. That means a lot.
Well, I got them from my Mom and Granddad. Actually, my Grampa got about 6 sent from the Lions club. They came like every other month. Step-grandma and my Dad sent them, too.
Llbear: What was in them?
Jonathan: Mostly junk food – stuff we couldn’t get from the PX. And sox. I really like those sox. Boot length in green or black worked best for me. I don’t know about everyone else, though. Thin sox are OK but they don’t last.
Llbear: What about letters?
Jonathan: My Mom and Grandpa sent them all the time. I really appreciated that. So did other relatives. At the PX they had a big box full of letters written to Any Soldier. I scarfed a couple handfuls of those once in a while. It was good to know that people cared. You really like the ones from the kids.
Llbear: What was the weirdest thing?
Jonathan: This Fart sound making thingy. It goes on a key chain. I think that came from the Lions – size of their package was surprising. One of the nicest things was a journal. That came from my Mom.
Llbear: Tell me a bit about the guys in your unit.
Jonathan: I’m really going to miss them. I do already. Some have been on 2 or 3 deployments – there’s a lot are single soldiers spending time away from family – great bunch of guys – Calling cards: I forgot to mention calling cards. Those are great to get.
Llbear: Do you know what Sand Scarves are?
Jonathan: Sure. People buy & use them all the time. I read you guys are putting those in the packages and those are great. During the winter stocking caps are good, too. They’re used to muffle noise when you are trying to sleep.
Llbear: How about cool ties?
Jonathan: Cool.
Llbear: OK. I bribed you to come and share your ideas with the promise that we would send 1 package to your unit. What one item would you like to add that you didn’t see on ninepatch’s list.
Jonathan: Well, at the PX they had these little flashlights. They were so small you could hang them on your dog tags. That would be cool.
[The bear reaches for his wallet] OK. How many of these little puppies do we need? In the meantime, reach for your plastic. The link is in Ninepatch's comment. [The answer can be found in the tip jar.]
OK, everyone. Jonathan is here to answer your questions through Ninepatch. Tonight we are focused on Care Packages. Other issues – including all political questions and comments – will have to wait until Jonathan is finally out of the service.
We need your dollars to send this kid’s unit a Ninepatch special care package.
Let's try this link to donate
UPDATE: Special thanks to Ninepatch for posting on behalf of Jonathan. I'm just as proud of all of you as I am of Jonathan. Wait till his mother and grandpa sees this!