HELP CELEBRATE SHATTERED'S PUBLICATION DAY BY HELPING OUR TROOPS!

Today is SHATTERED 's official publication day, and while release day is always a cause for celebration around our house, since I began writing my High Risk series, there's not a day that goes by that I'm not inspired by the true life heroes, the men and women who are willing to put themselves in harm's way -- at great personal and physical sacrifice -- so the rest of us don't have to.

With that in mind, and inviting you to join in the publication celebration by helping our troops, I'm going to share part of an email passed on from my fabulous daughter-in-law, Laura Rehrmann, who's Managing Editor, Gannett News Service Washington Bureau. Gannett News , along with publishing USA Today , also owns several newspapers and TV stations around the country:

Our spirituality columnist, Norris Burkes, is serving as a military chaplain at the burn center in Balad, Iraq for a few months. He's seeing some pretty terrible, devastating and poignant things. You wouldn't think there would be much joyful about his trip, but people manage to find ways to comfort themselves in the midst of the worst conditions. Here's one way troops are holding up. If you want to send items to Iraq, the address is at the bottom.

Major Troy “Trojan” Gilbert

We would like to introduce you to Troy’s Place, The Ministry Center at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Troy’s Place is a place for military members to relax in a wholesome environment in their off duty time. It is named after Major Troy “Trojan” Gilbert, an F-16 pilot KIA on 27 November 2006, 30 miles southwest of Balad AB. His legacy of investing in the lives of others carries on 24/7 in the home that bears his name. Troy’s Place serves as a morale building site, where military members can find many comfort items such as movies, books, magazines, music, games, stationary for letters, snacks, coffee, and drinks. There is no charge to them, but their experience is priceless. We need your help in order to continue the work at Troy’s Place. The following items are a suggested donation to help insure its continued success.
The items ** are highly sought after items.

Thank You,
Athena S. Tickner
Troy’s Place Volunteer Coordinator

Suggested list of items for Troy’s Place
Food Items:
Crackers - Cheezits, 100 calorie packs etc (very popular when we have them)
Cookies – Teddy Grahams, Oreos, Chips Ahoy, etc
Candy – suckers, miniature candy bars, gummy bears/worms
**Chocolate bars, Gum
Raisin, peanuts, trail mix and other dried fruits - small boxes, not the big ones, or bags
Applesauce/Fruit Cups
Oatmeal (instant, in small packets)
Chips – lunchbox size bags or Pringles of any type
Beef Jerky/Slim Jims
Granola Bars/Cereal Bars – all kinds of them
Little Debbie type items
Cup O Noodles or the Lipton Cup o Soup
On the Go Drink Mixes
**Tuna, chicken, & ham kits, small microwavable items (spaghetti, chili)
**Flavored Coffee Creamers
**Popcorn, microwave packs
Pop tarts
**Popsicles – the ones that come in a box, in plastic tubes, then you freeze them.
Our hospital ministry hands the popsicles to our wounded troops, and they love them.
Basically, any small package items found at a Sam’s Club, Costco, BJ’s or wherever. Many of the cookies and crackers are in ‘lunch box’ aisles at stores.

Hygiene Items:
**Shampoo, Conditioner and Face & Body Wash – for men & women
Lotion
**Body/Foot powder
**Deodorant
Tissues (pocket packs)
Wipes – handy wipes, baby wipes, antibacterial, etc
Razors – for men & women
Shaving Cream
**Eye Drops
**Mouthwash
Toothpaste, Toothbrushes and Dental Floss
Antibacterial hand sanitizer
Batteries of all sizes
Ziploc Bags, snack and sandwich

Family Support:
Phone/Calling Cards – International
**Greeting cards, blank note cards, thank you cards.

Please send your items to the base chapel at:
Troy’s Place
332 AEW/HC
APO AE 09315-9997