My wife talked her mom some time last week. Seems her brother has gotten into some trouble in Kosovo over tolietries. He's currently a sergent in the Guard's 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry that was deployed in October, as part of the U.N. international peacekeeping force in the country.

Anyway, seems our troops are running out of basic necessaties in Kosovo. Thanks to some incredible foresight, all the toiletries are being shipped elsewhere for two other fronts. And the ones that do make it to Kosovo are being sold in the PX. The same PX where citizens of Kosovo are buying these items in bulk and selling on the black market for 3 times, if not more, the retail value.

So our troops are SOL. Apparently, my brother-in-law raised a stink (literally and figuratively) to his commanders and well, if you were in the military, that's not good to question authority, especially the U.N. folk.

My wife is starting a drive to send items to our National Guard guys. These items are: toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodrant, soap, shower gels, floss, etc. All items are being rationed in Kosovo.

If anyone is interested in helping our soldiers, you can private me and I'll send the details. If we get enough support, we might consider a community drop-off site. For now, we're hoping to send at least one box full of supplies to our Real American Heroes.