http://unitedforthetroops.org
https://instagram.com/unitedforthetroops
https://twitter.com/United4Troop In May 2007, Luke Rathschmidt, was deployed from Fort Bragg North Carolina with the rest of his battalion in the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army. Luke is a member of the family who founded United For The Troops shortly after his deployment. After Luke entered Iraq in June of 2007, we soon realized there are many things the troops are not supplied with, that help make them feel comfortable while they are back home. While speaking to Luke, he had asked that we send him things like visine, batteries and toilet paper; simple everyday items that we take for granted each day. As time went on Luke began sharing stories of soldiers that did not have any family back in The United States, and noted that he felt bad getting all of the packages we were sending him while his comrades were receiving nothing. Although he was sharing everything we sent him, in Luke’s words “it’s not the same as getting your own”. Knowing the sacrifices that these men and women were and are making for us on a daily basis, we understood that something had to be done. While these men and women are in over 110º F heat, protecting our nation on a 24/7 basis, there is no reason why they should be without the basic amenities we enjoy back home. United For The Troops became an organization within weeks, collecting anything and everything from any source possible to send to our troops. During the holiday season, we made an extra effort to ramp up our gift giving and rallied our community to help “Operation Defending The Holidays” where our goal was to send out 200 packages by December 20, 2007. We not only exceeded our initial goal, but we more than doubled it! We sent over 400 packages and collected over $6000 to continue this “operation” throughout the year. With the success of our first year as a not for profit organization, we knew it couldn’t stop there. United For The Troops, Inc is just the start of how we will continue to help all of our troops until they return home safely. Thereafter, any veteran that needs assistance after that can count on all of the United For The Troops, Inc “operations” year round to be there for them! Thank you in advance for you support!
