Troop support - poll & discussion

taltos · 03-02-2009, 03:49 AM

I have gotten more active in giving through the Legion post that I am a member of. Saves the postage fees and they are still going to the troops.

Tikihut27 · 03-02-2009, 10:33 AM

Fred,

Before, the threads were in General Discussion, right out in front of everyone on stickys. Now they have a separate forum. The Troop Support forum has a dedicated group of viewers, but doesn't get the same viewing numbers as the general discussion forum does.

You must realize this, too- this thread is in general discussion and not troop support.

The more the topic is in front of people, the greater response you will get. I'm sure that there are a lot of folks who intend to or would like to donate, but it just kind of gets forgotten.

And yeah, JohnnyKay5 and SSG Adams being so well-known and outgoing probably helped a lot. But Alex is still there, right?

As far as the economy goes- believe me when I say this- the troops are just as pleased with $20 bundles as they are premiums. Just the fact that you take the time to send some smokes makes a great difference to the troops. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money. (Been there

)

MajorCaptSilly · 03-02-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tikihut27

Fred,

Before, the threads were in General Discussion, right out in front of everyone on stickys. Now they have a separate forum. The Troop Support forum has a dedicated group of viewers, but doesn't get the same viewing numbers as the general discussion forum does.

You must realize this, too- this thread is in general discussion and not troop support.

The more the topic is in front of people, the greater response you will get. I'm sure that there are a lot of folks who intend to or would like to donate, but it just kind of gets forgotten.

And yeah, JohnnyKay5 and SSG Adams being so well-known and outgoing probably helped a lot. But Alex is still there, right?

As far as the economy goes- believe me when I say this- the troops are just as pleased with $20 bundles as they are premiums. Just the fact that you take the time to send some smokes makes a great difference to the troops. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money. (Been there

)

I don't think what is highlighted in bold has been stressed enough. When I read through the threads, it seems the emphasis is on sending "quality" cigars. "Quality" meaning expensive to me. That may just be my impression but I got that on both forums. I know the bundled cigars I've sent over to my nephew have been well-received and I would hope that ANY cigars would be appreciated.

MCS

bazookajoe · 03-02-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tikihut27

...Before, the threads were in General Discussion, right out in front of everyone on stickys. Now they have a separate forum. The Troop Support forum has a dedicated group of viewers, but doesn't get the same viewing numbers as the general discussion forum does...

Aside from economic realities and familiar soldiers coming home, I think this is a key factor. Same thing happened at CS - threads were moved to a different location and get little attention other than from those who were looking for them. As you know I stepped down here because there was no need for three of us given the level of donations, and stayed on at CS since there was no other representation there. It's pretty much fizzled out amongst the membership there for the combination of reasons already stated.

One thing to keep in mind though Fred, is that you created a lot of activity with raffles, auctions and the like which caused a marked increase in donations. I think things just might be settling down to the levels before all that, when shipments were fewer and farther in-between. John told me more than once the cigars for troops efforts were producing far more activity than he'd seen during his tenure. Maybe just the nadir of the cycle, a natural consequence of economics, deployment changes and enthusiasm ebb and flow...

JohnnyKay5 · 03-02-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tikihut27

As far as the economy goes- believe me when I say this- the troops are just as pleased with $20 bundles as they are premiums. Just the fact that you take the time to send some smokes makes a great difference to the troops. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money. (Been there

)

Aint that the truth! dog rockets no, but premiums are not needed. Something a large group of people who don't smoke every day can enjoy is all!

AD720 · 03-02-2009, 12:43 PM

Perhaps another contest or raffle would help grease the wheels?

I'd be glad to chip in for a prize package.

newcigarz · 03-06-2009, 05:05 AM

I think this is a good way to open a discussion on this matter. I know Fred is the face of Troops Support on this site, and I just quietly follow his lead.
I don't have the skills that he does putting these raffles, Pale Horse platoon and such together.
I have been putting your donations to work and shipping boxes out on a regular basis.
That is until now. Early this week I shipped two boxes out. One to Alex and one to jbirdsaway ( Scott). These boxes zapped the last of my inventory and
funds. I will still continue to do what I can for these guys but without an
influx of donations the shipments (both cigars and money to buy comfort items )will slow down considerably.

I understand the way the economy has hurt these efforts, but Ji and other make good points on how maybe we can regenerate some energy into this project.

03-10-2009, 07:25 PM

Fred,

I have been meaning to write you in private for a few weeks but gotten busy with life. I deal with the general public on a daily basis as part of my business. I think we as a group here are a fair representation of the general public which I deal with. As a whole I think 3 factors are contributing to your concerns.

1) The economy. We all know the pinch that has created, but yet many people are finding ways to be creative with their budgets and trimming where needed. Gifts are often one of the first things cut back.

2) The general mood. The mood of many people is the world is ending and its going to get worse before it gets better. This causes normally intelligent people to do irrational things out of fear. People in this state of mind may find themselves in the exact same financial place as they were a year ago but are acting like they took a 40% pay cut this year. These fears are causing them to horde or protect their wealth that they would otherwise be spreading.

3) The war is over and the troops are coming home. Many people I talk to are of the belief, justified or not, that this presidency is going to put an immediate end to the war and bring the troops home. If thats true, why send thousands of cigars overseas? If it’s not true how long will they be there? Should I take a chance sending cigars to Iraq just to have them go to waste?

I admit my participation has fallen off since last year for a little bit of all the reasons listed above. Until I read your post I never thought about it but subconsciously I fall into all the above categories. 1) My hours at work got cut so I make a little less than I did before, that makes me think about where and how I spend my money. 2) My mood is not 50% full but the glass is 50% empty right now. Although my hours got cut I found a way to supplement my income making trays. In the long run I am probably breaking even financially where I was at this time last year but I am working harder to get it and my mood has caused me to save a little more and pay off some debt I would have easily carried before. 3) How long are the troops going to be there? Is the build up over? Will the need we had at this time last year still be there this time next year?

All this being said, I feel it’s time I get you a package

Sincerely,
Chuck

View Poll Results: I do not participate because:
Economy (Uncertain about future employment and earnings.)	33	44.59%
Political (Oppose troop deployment and/or other reasons.)	3	4.05%
Accountability (Donations are used appropriately.)	1	1.35%
Expense (I can't afford to donate at the moment.)	41	55.41%
Unaware (Don't follow the troop support efforts.)	10	13.51%
Do it myself (I would rather send donations directly to the troops.)	16	21.62%
Other	12	16.22%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 74. You may not vote on this poll

03-02-2009, 03:49 AM	#1
taltos Really, really old Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Paul Location: Saugus, MA Posts: 2,486 Trading: (3)	Re: Troop support - poll & discussion I have gotten more active in giving through the Legion post that I am a member of. Saves the postage fees and they are still going to the troops. __________________ Jimmy, some of its magic, some of its tragic, but I had a good life all the way. He Went to Paris, J. Buffett

03-02-2009, 10:33 AM	#2
Tikihut27 Learned to Love the Bomb Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 818 Trading: (3)	Re: Troop support - poll & discussion Fred, Before, the threads were in General Discussion, right out in front of everyone on stickys. Now they have a separate forum. The Troop Support forum has a dedicated group of viewers, but doesn't get the same viewing numbers as the general discussion forum does. You must realize this, too- this thread is in general discussion and not troop support. The more the topic is in front of people, the greater response you will get. I'm sure that there are a lot of folks who intend to or would like to donate, but it just kind of gets forgotten. And yeah, JohnnyKay5 and SSG Adams being so well-known and outgoing probably helped a lot. But Alex is still there, right? As far as the economy goes- believe me when I say this- the troops are just as pleased with $20 bundles as they are premiums. Just the fact that you take the time to send some smokes makes a great difference to the troops. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money. (Been there ) __________________ I can no longer sit back and allow... the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.

03-02-2009, 12:43 PM	#6
AD720 I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andrew Location: The City of BOTL-erly Love Posts: 2,684 Trading: (73)	Re: Troop support - poll & discussion Perhaps another contest or raffle would help grease the wheels? I'd be glad to chip in for a prize package.

03-06-2009, 05:05 AM	#7
newcigarz Smoke and Mirrors Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: On the bottom shelf Posts: 3,139 Trading: (15)	Re: Troop support - poll & discussion I think this is a good way to open a discussion on this matter. I know Fred is the face of Troops Support on this site, and I just quietly follow his lead. I don't have the skills that he does putting these raffles, Pale Horse platoon and such together. I have been putting your donations to work and shipping boxes out on a regular basis. That is until now. Early this week I shipped two boxes out. One to Alex and one to jbirdsaway ( Scott). These boxes zapped the last of my inventory and funds. I will still continue to do what I can for these guys but without an influx of donations the shipments (both cigars and money to buy comfort items )will slow down considerably. I understand the way the economy has hurt these efforts, but Ji and other make good points on how maybe we can regenerate some energy into this project.

03-10-2009, 07:25 PM	#8
ChasDen Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Troop support - poll & discussion Fred, I have been meaning to write you in private for a few weeks but gotten busy with life. I deal with the general public on a daily basis as part of my business. I think we as a group here are a fair representation of the general public which I deal with. As a whole I think 3 factors are contributing to your concerns. 1) The economy. We all know the pinch that has created, but yet many people are finding ways to be creative with their budgets and trimming where needed. Gifts are often one of the first things cut back. 2) The general mood. The mood of many people is the world is ending and its going to get worse before it gets better. This causes normally intelligent people to do irrational things out of fear. People in this state of mind may find themselves in the exact same financial place as they were a year ago but are acting like they took a 40% pay cut this year. These fears are causing them to horde or protect their wealth that they would otherwise be spreading. 3) The war is over and the troops are coming home. Many people I talk to are of the belief, justified or not, that this presidency is going to put an immediate end to the war and bring the troops home. If thats true, why send thousands of cigars overseas? If it’s not true how long will they be there? Should I take a chance sending cigars to Iraq just to have them go to waste? I admit my participation has fallen off since last year for a little bit of all the reasons listed above. Until I read your post I never thought about it but subconsciously I fall into all the above categories. 1) My hours at work got cut so I make a little less than I did before, that makes me think about where and how I spend my money. 2) My mood is not 50% full but the glass is 50% empty right now. Although my hours got cut I found a way to supplement my income making trays. In the long run I am probably breaking even financially where I was at this time last year but I am working harder to get it and my mood has caused me to save a little more and pay off some debt I would have easily carried before. 3) How long are the troops going to be there? Is the build up over? Will the need we had at this time last year still be there this time next year? All this being said, I feel it’s time I get you a package Sincerely, Chuck