Ape @ MindSay

Capricorn Calendar

how old am I?

I'll be 92 next Christmas

though I won't admit to one day over 20

even after all the birthday cards

are out and shuffled

it's hard to figure.

I aged at least 560 years

since I stumbled into you

yet I stil believe in fairy tales

like "The Princess and the Frog"

           perhaps I'm only 3 or so?

You'll never know how old I am

but I'll tell you anyway

I was born the night we met

and died today.

So my boyfriend was talking to his ex's brother, who is a Green Beret. He asked, "what should i get for my brother who's fighting over seas?" And you know what he said? (Other than the powdered gatorade, chocolate, jerky, hand & foot warmers...) TAMPONS. So if they get shot, the tampons have a sanitary applicator, fit into bullet holes nicely, expand to plug up the hole and absorb the blood. it makes me sad that we're reduced to sending tampons to soldiers when we're not even in war.

he also mentioned getting DAPS. Deltoid Axillary Protectors (http://www.military.com/soldiertech/0,14632,Soldiertech_Gauntlet,,00.html) and (https://peosoldier.army.mil/default.asp?section=dap)

so I called around and found that a company called Point Blank Body Armour has the contract from the Federal Government for making these. I called them and found out that they are called "APES" for the Marines and "DAPS" for the Army. I also found out that 1 in 3 soldiers are equipped. (which Army fighters are known as... apparently Marines are called Marines and not soldiers) So that means the ratio between those serving in Iraq and having equipment is even smaller than 1 in 3.

But you can buy them for your soldier... here are the instructions:

 I did some research and found that out the following

1. Point Blank Body Armour won the contract and the addition/modification to make 50k and 10k of DAPs in May 2004 and again in June.

2. There is a difference between what the Marines use and what the Army uses in both name and molding. The Army uses DAP and the Marines use APE (Armour Protection Enhancement). The fit for each is different so if you order one they will ask you this question.

 3. You can only purchase them for someone who is going to be fighting over seas or for yourself if you are going overseas. You will need

A. A copy of the Miliary ID

B. A copy of the Military Orders

C. A copy of an authorization (this authorization protects the equipement from being taken as military property. If the soldier has evidence that they were allowed to purchase on personally then when they return home (or at another time) the military can not take it away from them)

4. The uniform colors for the overseas soldiers (primarily for this war) are changing from a tri colored desert camo to a solid color of 'sand' or 'coyote tan.'

5. If they are not instock it takes approximately 30-60 days to make and ship.

6. You can not UPS/DHL/FEDEX/USPS these over seas... they are ballistics and must be shipped via military shipping or must be with the soldier at time of departure. If shipped by any other means it will most likely be stopped at customs.

7. To order, call TSSI (www.tacsurv.com) at 1.877.535.8774. (if you live in Virginia, call the same number or 540.434.8974) and ask for Rick (I believe his last name is Frank but not sure). It is $500 per pair, they weight 3lbs, as of 08.19.05 they are out of the tri-color desert camo but do have the coyote tan in stock (which is replacing the tri-color desert camo). They take credit card only. Please see #3 for misc requirements.

REMEMBER DAPS = ARMY and APES = MARINES

ps. it's sad when families have to pay to proctect their loved ones fighting in a non-war and the government can't even provide for them...

*dy.jae