There�s this thing going on here in town. It�s called Operation Hometown pride. People are trying to collect stuff for the troops in Iraq for Christmas. It�s going to be for the 432nd civil battalion from Wisconsin. I know a couple of the gentlemen, not personally but some of them went to a couple of our shows, and I wanted to help. So I put up a collection box and passed out a list and explained what it�s all about. I have a few people interested but most people aren�t. Don�t they understand that this is a nonpartisan issue? It�s not about whether or not you support the war; it�s about kids, right out of high school, being in a strange country for the holidays. �They need stuff like books and toothbrushes, not your fucking soul!� Ok, calming down�

One of my brothers was stationed in Saudi for 6 months after Desert Storm. He really relied on the stuff that caring people sent to him to keep his morale up. One associate joked about the list and said, �Baby wipes? Why do they need baby wipes?�

I retorted, in a joking manner, �Have you seen those soldiers, they are babies.�

The joke suddenly became a serious moment and a few more people grabbed a list.

I just hope the donation box fills up by the end of next week.