Other web sites of interest

Disclaimer: Links to other web sites are provided for your convenience. The author of this web site is not responsible for the information contained on those web sites. The provision of a link to another web site does not constitute an endorsement or approval of that web site, or any products or services offered on that web site, by the author. The author will not accept any liability for the use of those links to connect to web sites that are not under his control.

Cottonbaler Web Sites

	7th Infantry Regiment Association	The 7^th Infantry Regiment Association web page. This site is the official web site for the association.
	Military-Honors	The Cottonbalers Quartermaster. Leonard Collins has a very large catalog of Military memorabilia to include the 7^th Infantry Regiment.
	Ft. Stewart	Ft. Stewart maintains a web site that includes the 3^rd Infantry Division, the parent unit for both active battalions, 2^nd and 3^rdBattalion. Both active Battalions have web sites as part of the 3^rd Infantry Division.
	3rd Infantry Division	The 3rd Infantry Division Home Page.
	2-7 Infantry Battalion	The 2^nd Battalion Official Web Site.
	3-7 Infantry Battalion	The 3^rd Battalion Official Web Site.
	The FrontLine	Along with the 3^rd Infantry Division information, the Fort Stewart web site also has a link to the Fort Stewart newspaper, The Frontline. Note: The Frontline Online requires Adobe Acrobat Reader properly loaded on your computer.
	Dog Face Daily	The Public Affairs Office of the 3rd Infantry Division (TF Marne) in Iraq publishes a daily publication. Note: The Dog Face Daily requires Adobe Acrobat Reader properly loaded on your computer.
	Marne Focus	The Public Affairs Office of the 3rd Infantry Division (TF Marne) in Iraq publishes this. Note: The Marne Focus requires Adobe Acrobat Reader properly loaded on your computer.
	Co A, 7^th Infantry Regiment Living History Association	Co A, 7^th Infantry Regiment Living History Association portrays the 7^th Infantry Regiment during the War of 1812 period.
	RedCatcher.org	This is a web site for the 199th Light Infantry Brigade Association, Vietnam. The 3^rd Battalion was assigned the 199th during the Vietnam war.
	Society of the 3^rd ID	Society of the 3^rd Infantry Division. The Society provides opportunities and facilities uniting past, present and future members of the Third Infantry Division, U. S. Army, in a national program dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of the Third Infantry Division's traditions and history.
	Operation Iraqi Freedom Photographs	William E. Thompson was attached to 2-7IN during the Iraq invasion. He has just updated his web site and has included all of the images he took of 2-7. CPT Thompson , an Army Reservist, was the CA team leader for Direct Support Team-1, part of the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion (the first Civil Affairs unit in Baghdad).

Family Readiness Groups (FRG)
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FRG's are simply the unit's family members and soldiers working as a team. ("TEAM" stands for Together Everyone Achieves More.) Together they provide an avenue of mutual support and assistance, and a network of communications among family members, the chain of command and community resources.

	2-7 Inf FRG	The Family Readiness Group (FRG) for the 2^nd Battalion.
	D Co 2-7 Inf FRG	The FRG for D 2/7 INF
	MSN Group - 2-7 Wives	An informal Group of 2/7 INF Wives, mostly from B Co. You can chat on-line, submit photos and send messages to others in the group.
	C Co 2-7 INF	This is an un-official web site of "Charlie" Company. It is purely a web site created to make others aware of how we can help "Charlie" Company and others while serving in Iraq, and their families.

Military and Military Related Sites
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	US Army	The US Army Official Home Page.
	US Army Central Command	The US Army's Central Command Official Home Page.
	Map of Iraq	A map of Iraq with most of the Camps and Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) listed.
	Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO)	The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) is responsible for oversight of policies on the rescue of Americans who are isolated, captured, detained or otherwise missing in a hostile environment and the recovery of those who never returned from foreign battlefields. DPMO is joined in that mission by many other Department of Defense agencies, and you may easily link to their web sites from the DPMO home page.
	Stars & Stripes	Stars and Stripes is a daily newspaper published for the U.S. military, DoD civilians, contractors, and their families. Unique among the many military publications, Stars and Stripes operates as a First Amendment newspaper, free of control and censorship. Stars and Stripes maintains news bureaus in Europe, Pacific and the Middle East to provide first-hand reporting on events in those theaters. In addition to news and sports, our daily paper contains all the elements of the hometown paper our service members left behind, from “Dear Abby” to coupons, comics and crossword puzzles. In all, we publish five editions: Mid east, Europe, Japan, Korea and Okinawa.
	Stars & Stripes - PDF Version	You can get a PDF version of the daily Stars & Stripes newspapers. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files.
	AUSA	Association of the United States Army (AUSA). AUSA is an educational organization that supports America's Army - Active, National Guard, Reserve, Civilians, Retirees and family members.
	Operation Iraqi Freedom	Operation Iraqi Freedom. This site is maintained by a family member of a 3^rd Infantry Division soldier deployed to Iraq.
	Military.com	Military.com is the largest online military destination, offering free resources to serve, connect, and inform the 30 million Americans with military affinity, including active duty, reservists, guard members, retirees, veterans, family members, defense workers and those considering military careers.
	Multi-National Force - Iraq and Multi-National Corps — Iraq	Official web site for the Multi-National Force - Iraq and Multi-National Corps — Iraq. This site has links to Press Releases and a link to the Scimitar, a weekly paper published by the Multi-National Force - Iraq and Multi-National Corps - Iraq Joint Public Affairs Office.
	GlobalSecurity.org - US Forces Order of Battle	US Forces Order of Battle - Mid 2005 from GolbalSecurity.org An excellent source of news articles and analysis.
	GlobalSecurity.org - Facilities in Iraq	Facilities in Iraq. A listing of the Camps, FOBs and other bases in Iraq. Most will include detailed information and history of the facility. Also from GlobalSecurity.org
	U.S. Army Installations - Aschaffenburg	Drawings, photos and history of the Kasernes located in Aschaffenburg.
	Vietnam Veterans of America	Vietnam Veterans of America is the only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families.
	The Registry of the American Soldier	The National Museum of the U.S. Army recognizes the service and sacrifice of the American Soldier at home and around the world, at war and during peace. The Registry of the American Soldier provides an opportunity for anyone who served in the U.S. Army to have his or her name and service history placed on record at the Museum. If you served, you need to be in the Registry! You may also register the name of a family member or friend, if they currently serve, or have served in the U.S. Army, or submit someone from the past. The Registry will be on permanent display at the Museum, and it will be accessible via the internet for those who cannot visit in person. The Registry of the American Soldier is a publicly submitted listing of those who served in the U.S. Army. The Registry is not an official document of the U.S. Government.
	The National Museum of the U.S. Army	The Army Museum will tell the story of the U.S. Army as an institution and be a tribute to the American Soldier. It will be a forum for the education, edification, and inspiration of members of the Armed Forces, the public, and all those seeking knowledge about the history of the Army. The American people will gain a greater awareness of the part that the Army played in shaping their heritage. The museum will preserve, study and interpret Army material culture (currently estimated at over 500,000 artifacts and 12,000 works of art), educate Army personnel in the history, traditions and accomplishments of their profession, provide a research and development base for new military equipment, and train Army museum personnel.

How to Support Our Troops
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Looking for ways to support and honor U.S. military service members and veterans who protect our security and freedom? In years past, you could wrap up a care package and mail it to "Any Service Member" for the holidays, but with increased mail restrictions, the Pentagon is asking people to help through financial contributions, letter-writing and e-mail, purchasing authorized pre-made care packages, or volunteering time through non-profits.

Below are links to programs that offer aid to our military — everything from care packages to emergency services to military family support. Show your pride in our armed forces today, either by purchasing a gift or card for a service member, or donating to programs that support our military.

	USPS - Support Our Troops	Instructions on Sending Mail to Service members - Straight from the U.S. Postal Service, instructions and recommendations on sending individual mail to service members.
	US Army - How You Can Help	US Army web page that has links to some independent organizations that will help send messages and packages to deployed soldiers as well as provide other support.
	America Supports You	"America Supports You," a nationwide program launched by the Department of Defense, will recognize citizens' support for our military men and women and communicate that support to members of our Armed Forces at home and abroad.

Gifts, Cards, and Care Packages
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	Adopt a Platoon	Adopt a Platoon - Support the troops through gifts and sponsored mail.
	Any Soldier	Any Soldier - Sponsor care packages to service members in Iraq.
	AAFES Gift Certificates	Army and Air Force Exchange Services. Purchase gift certificates for active and hospitalized service members.
	Books For Soldiers	Books For Soldiers is a soldier support site that ships books, DVD's and supplies to deployed soldiers and soldiers in VA hospitals, via a large volunteer network.
	BuyTheCase	At BuyTheCase.Net, you can send an order to any military address.
	Care 4 Troops	They provide convenient, unique and affordable care packages specially designed for U.S. military service personnel.
	Military Care Packages	Military Care Packages
	Military Cheer Packs	Military Care Packages
	Cell Phones For Soldiers	Donate your old cell phones, which pay for calling cards for our troops.
	Military Commissaries	Commissary Gift Certificates - Give the gift of groceries — buy or donate gift certificates.
	Freedom Fund	Send letters of thanks to the troops, or donate to funds that support deploying service members.
	A Million Thanks	Collects emails and letters of appreciation for our armed forces.
	Operation Dear Abby	Send a special message to our men and women in the military defending American freedom worldwide. This site was created to show support for those who could potentially come into harms way.
	Chief Wiggles Operation Give	With your donation to Operation Give, we will purchase and ship toys and necessities for the children of Iraq.
	Operation Gratitude	OPERATION GRATITUDE seeks to lift troops' morale, and bring a smile to their faces by sending care packages to service members overseas. OPERATION GRATITUDE care packages contain food, toiletries, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation, all wrapped with good wishes of love and support. Hundreds of thousands of American troops are deployed in hostile and remote regions of the world, including the Middle East, Afghanistan, Africa, Guantanamo Bay and on ships throughout international waters. The physical conditions they must endure are difficult and they may be separated from loved ones for long periods of time.
	Operation Hero Miles	The program allows troops stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan to fly home on leave for free. It also gives family members of wounded servicemen and women free plane tickets to visit their loved ones recovering at military hospitals across the country. Operation Hero Miles gives ordinary citizens an opportunity to help our troops in a very direct way that makes a real difference in their lives. The program is brilliant in its simplicity. Travelers donate their unused frequent flyer miles to the Pentagon.
	VFW:Operation Uplink	Operation Uplink is a unique program that keeps military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free phone card. Using contributions from supporters like you, Operation Uplink purchases phone cards and distributes them to servicemen and women who are separated from those they care about.
	Operation USO Care Package	Sponsor a care package for $25.
	Support US Troops	Contribute to care packages to be sent overseas.
	Treats For Troops	Purchase care packages for Soldiers.

Medical Help
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	American Red Cross	Offers medical services to active duty, veterans, reservists and families nationwide.
	Armed Services Blood Program	Donate blood that will be sent to areas of need around the world.
	Blinded Veterans Association	Volunteer and scholarship organization provides care and support for blind veterans and their families.
	CAUSE: Comfort for America's Uniformed Services Elite	Provides comfort items for troops recuperating in military hospitals and rehabilitation centers from wounds and injuries.
	Fisher House	Support families whose loved ones are being treated at military and VA hospitals.
	Help Hospitalized Veterans	Sends therapeutic crafts kits to hospitalized veterans.
	Soldiers Angels	Support group aids wounded Soldiers with transitional backpacks, personal visits, and phone calls, etc., and also sends thanks via letters and email to the U.S. Military and its allies.
	American Legion:Support Our Wounded	Programs to Support Operation Iraqi Freedom [OIF] And Operation Enduring Freedom [OEF] Wounded and Injured and Their Families.
	VA Voluntary Service	Volunteer to help care for wounded veterans.
	The Walter Reed Society	Walter Reed Medical Center cares for many returning injured service members.
	Wounded Warrior Hospital Fund	Wounded Warriors was founded in March, 2003 to support the Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines who were evacuated from Afghanistan and Iraq to the Landstuhl (Germany) Regional Medical Center for treatment for injuries and wounds stemming from Operations "Enduring Freedom" and "Iraqi Freedom". Because of your financial contributions, Wounded Warriors was able to support other military hospitals in the States and Iraq by purchasing laptop computers and other morale items to be used by the staff and patients.
	Wounded Warrior Project	The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is to raise public awareness and enlist the public?s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members to aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP accomplishes this mission by providing programs and services to severely injured active service members and their families during the critical time between their initial rehabilitation while on active duty and their eventual transition to civilian life. WWP employs staff with over 55 years of combined experience in providing direct services to active duty service members and disabled veterans, including benefits counseling, representation before the department of veterans affairs, bringing public attention to the needs of wounded service members, and advocating for regulatory and statutory changes beneficial to veterans and active duty service members.

Relief and Support
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	The American Legion	Organizes blood donation, volunteer networks, purchase flags of support, and more.
	Armed Forces Foundation	Provides support and education help to our troops.
	Armed Forces Relief Trust	Combination of the major military relief societies takes donations to help service members.
	Armed Services YMCA	Provides educational, recreational, social and religious support to the military.
	Army Emergency Relief	Official support and relief organization for Army service members, veterans, and families.
	Blue Star Mothers	Organizes postcards to troops and care packages, and is currently petitioning Congress for reduced air fares for service members.
	Coalition to Salute America's Heroes	Accepts donations to help in rehabilitating severely wounded and disabled veterans.
	Enduring Freedom K.I.A. Fund	Gives financial aid to families of service members killed in action.
	Fallen Patriot Fund	Accepts donations to send to families of those who fell in combat.
	The Freedom Alliance	Organizes donations and contributions for our service members, and also awards scholarships.
	Freedom Calls Foundation	Contribute to videoconferencing facilities that put service members in touch with their families.
	Global War on Terrorism - Veterans In Need	Provides support programs for returning disabled service members.
	Homes For Our Troops	Assists injured veterans and their families by building new or adapting existing homes for handicapped accessibility.
	Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund	und provides unrestricted grants to the families of military personnel who have given their lives in the current operations in defense of our country.
	Military Pets Foster Project	A Nationwide & Global network of Individual Foster Homes that will house, nurture and care for the dogs, cats, birds, horses and all other pets for all the Military personnel Only.
	Operation Air Conditioner	Help pay for air conditioners and heaters for the troops.
	Operation Child Care	Provides child care services for the families of Reserve and National Guard members.
	Operation Purple	National Military Family Association (NMFA) volunteer program provides educational camps for military children.
	Pride of Service.com	Gary Limmer is a Vietnam Veteran who served in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade (66-67) and an Association member . His veteran-owned business is Pride of Service.com. No where else can you create a comprehensive presentation of your "Personal History of Military Service". They design and produce individual custom military Veteran t-shirts and gifts that are great for reunions, holidays, associations, meetings, parades and events or ANYTIME to demonstrate your "PRIDE OF SERVICE". Choose your Branch of Service, Name of Unit, Unit Patch, Rank, Ribbons, Badges, Stations, and any other information or graphics that you want displayed on your PRIDE OF SERVICE T-Shirt or Gift. Once you make your selections, their graphic specialists will create your "one-of-a-kind" design.
	The Shadow Warrior Foundation	The Shadow Warrior Foundation is dedicated to members and former members of elite units and units involved in counter-terrorism around the world. It is meant to honor those who went where others feared to go, who faced death without blinking an eye, and who asked nothing in return.
	Special Operations Warrior Foundation	Provides college scholarship grants, financial aid and educational counseling to the children of Special Operations personnel killed in an operational mission or training accident.
	The Survivors of Service Members SOS Fund	This Fund will provide the survivors of servicemen and women with financial assistance on an as needed basis. The surviving spouse and or children of the individual who died in Iraq will be eligible. Also eligible will be families of servicemen or women who suffered critical wounds or injuries in Iraq and died in another location.
	TakePride T-Shirts	TakePride was founded by a group of friends who wanted to start a business and at the same time, try to do some good. Some of us have military experience, others don't but we all share the common belief that the more difficult the mission facing our military, the more deserving they are of our thanks and support. Our two goals were to help people re-connect to the experiences of those serving overseas and to create a symbol of support that people, especially younger Americans genuinely enjoyed putting on. T-shirts, we hope, allowed us to accomplish both. Each shirt design provides a glimpse into the life of a different US Service member who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Although we really admire the individuals we profile they are not in our eyes greater heroes than others. We think most everyone over there is a hero these just happened to be the people we knew or contacted and are meant to give a human face and be representative for all the Americans currently serving in war zones. We give at least 20 percent of profits to charities and causes that assist combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.
	The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)	The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc., is a one of a kind non-profit Veteran Service Organization offering hope, healing, comfort and care to thousands of American armed forces families facing the death of a loved one each year. TAPS receives absolutely no government funding, but through the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, all families faced with a death of one serving in the Armed Forces receive information about TAPS and our military survivor programs.
	Unmet Needs	Veterans of Foreign Wars program donates money to help with military families' financial necessities.
	USO	Donations to the USO pay for hospital support for recuperating soldiers, USO entertainment tours and other important services.
	Veterans and Families	Veterans and Families is a national non-profit community service and support organization, founded and directed by Veterans, parents, grandparents, family members, employers, mental health professionals, academics and community leaders. To help families, employers and communities support homecoming Veterans in their transition from military to civilian life
	Veterans of Foreign Wars	Features a full range of veteran services and advocacy programs.
	Yellow Ribbon America	Show your support with a yellow ribbon.
	Spirit of America	Their mission is to extend the goodwill of the American people to assist those advancing freedom, democracy and peace abroad.
	Voices from Home	Send voice messages over email to service members.

Web Logs (Blogs)
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A Cottonbaler

I have a Web Log (Blog) that I use to communicate with my Operation Direct Support supporters. I provide updates from the Commander of E Company (Engineers) 2/7 Inf.

Become a Member of the 7th Infantry Regiment Association

Cottonbalers By God! Damn Fine Solders!

Website maintained by David Spanburg