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I respect the men and women who serve our country. I understand the war is controversial. But, whether you agree with it or not, the personal sacrifice individual soldiers make is unquestionable and beyond reproach.

I have adopted a soldier in Iraq and we hope you support him directly with your gifts to make his 3rd, year-long tour a bit easier.

Brian Mercado is a Los Angeles California native with a wife stationed in Germany. His wife had their second child in September of 2008 and only say her for a few days while on emergency leave. Brian's wife, Veronica, is also an Iraqi War veteran.

Brian serves in the United States Army and is directly involved in combat operations. He serves in a unit composed with several lifelong friends which has made his time away from home just a bit more tolerable. On a day-to-day basis, the mental strength required by these men is nothing short of incredible. This is Brian's third tour. While he's modest with polite company. Trust me when I say that he's personally done much to eliminate enemies hostile to America.

If you wish to support Brian and his friends, this is their "wish-list" [Make sure you tell him you're sending it because of the adopt-a-soldier program otherwise he may think the package was misdelivered and he'll return it to the Army post as a mis-delivery]:

• Compressed air bottles or compressed air "dusters". [The kind used to clean electronic parts and computers.] Why? These are used to blow out sand in their guns which prevents jamming while in use.
• Current magazines - They help kill time
• Hard Liquor. It's banned but humans have a way of figuring things out. You'll have to open the bottle and empty it into a 1 or 2-liter plastic bottle or something similar. Try to fill it to the top so it doesn't "swish" when shaken. When the Post Office asks if you have liquid, say, "no". Officers in Iraq may confiscate it if they intercept it (about 2% of the time) but the rest of the contents will be delivered.
• Lip Balm and suntan lotion- It's dry and sunny in Iraq
• Playing cards and games
• Cigarettes. Brian's preferred brand are Parliaments and they go through a bunch of these. They're also used as "currency" to trade amongst themselves and with the locals Iraqi natives.
• Food, food, food! Anything from beef-jerky, Speghetti-O's, chips. Canned goods are good (they heat them in the sun). Any food of any type is appreciated. Even Ramen noodles. Once again, remember that liquids are banned so you may have to fib a bit with the postal service.

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His address

SGT. MERCADO, BRIAN
HHC, TASK FORCE 1-35
APO, AE 09308

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Next time you hear the National Anthem, we hope you think of Brian and the legions of men and women who have sacrificed and will continue to sacrifice for our country. Perhaps, you'll even shed a tear.

Please let me know if you served in any of U.S. Wars or military operations of any branch at any time and I will personally credit you for your appraisal fees out of my pocket.

We'll also keep on top of the Government programs designed specifically to address your mortgage needs.

Merry Christmas Brian. Come home safe.

Good Bless America!

David~

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