Operation Love - www.zensoaps.com/oplove.htm

Operation 'Love'

Please send packages to:

Major Louis Zeisman
Address Removed as the information has changed

Somewhere on the box please write "Operation Love" so that Louie knows that it came from here.. Click Here for Scheduled Item Shipping List

Asylum Member Participants (listed in order of sign up):

Mary Loveless (mclove57)- email: mclove@barndayz.us
Helen Starkweather (soapaddict)- email: helen@zensoaps.com
Patrice Andersen (melusina)- email: elixir@zoominternet.net
Anna (Anna4247)
Janie Bourke (dixichiq) email: dixichiq@yahoo.com
Lisa Leung(evlcuddlz) and fiance Chris - email: lisal@graffiti.net
Hedge (hedge)
Angela (Angela)
Lance (imaginesoaps)
Robin (RobinE) email: AsraiSprings@aol.com
Maureen Compton (Sweetgrass-Canada) email: mcompton@cogeco.ca
Matchy (Germany)
Lauren (purpleskys)
Mely (Mely)
Pam Stivers (mappam)- email:mappam@cfl.rr.com
Carla Pinate (Carlaveg)- email: gabiven2000@yahoo.com
Renee Rice email: rrice@wi.rr.com
Phyliss Hoefelmeyer (Iowasoaper) email: phoefelmeyer@iowatelecom.net
Trish Hicks (moongirrl) - email: divasoaps@skybest.com
Lindsay Hudson (linziejoe) - email: lindsay_hudson@mail.com
Donna Ackerman (DurtyNelly) - email: donnaack@bellsouth.net
Thomas, Jackie, Patrick (Tejas) - email: thomas@soltica.com

Teamy Pino Group
(please see Scheduled Item Link for full list)

Please click the below Scheduled link for full contributor list as it's grown a bit too long for this page now:).

Click Here for Scheduled Item Shipping List

(Lou, we are all soapmakers, most professional. Your guys are going to be the best smelling in the Batallion:P).

What is Operation Love?

One of the members of ZenSoap's Soaper's Asylum, Mary Loveless, posted a note about her friend's son, Major Louis Zeisman who was serving with the 82nd Airborne in Iraq. They had recently lost a few members of their unit, friends, from hostile fire in the shooting down of their helicopter in Iraq, and their morale was a bit low. She asked if members of our forum could help pitch in to show some of these guys over there that we care with some items from home. They're far from the comforts of 'home' away from their families, and some are very young. It's a situation we could easily imagine our own loved ones, friends, family to be in.

The Soaper's Asylum has 'adopted' their unit, the 82nd Airborne Division, a combat unit, who are currently stationed in Iraq, in one of the most dangerous parts of the country. The unit comprises of 200 dedicated men and women. They have no access to some basic items that we take so much for granted here, no toothpaste even, and are unable to run to the store to get more. Even more meaningful are notes and letters, to show that people think about them and care about them back home.

I have put up this page to post some personal photos they have taken in Iraq, and also to give those interested some information about how they can help, and what we are doing to help. We are not asking for any cash donations, this effort has nothing to do with the US Government, political affiliations, or about the war itself. It's simply about putting a smile on some of the faces of the US troops, the American guys and girls over there doing a job they didn't ask to do, whom are away from home, and cannot enjoy the things we can so easily.

Christmas is coming soon, and some units may not have friends and family who will send gifts and goodies. Hopefully, our members, and friends of members, will get together and if only by sending a few bars of soap, let these guys know that we care, that we are thinking about them, and that we would like to see them smile:). You are sending the items DIRECTLY to the Commander of these combat units, not to a central 'organization'. The post office offers a discount for shipping items to US military as well, so you will find that it won't cost very much to get the packages out.

We are requesting donations of items which will specifically help them (see list below), or send what goodies you have that you think they'd enjoy. Even one small care package will make a difference. Thank you!!

Helen Starkweather
ZenSoaps

______________________________________________________

The Background

November 9, 2003

Hi there..

I debated for the last few days if I should write and ask for some help.. the more I thought about it.. I figured it would not hurt.. and then "IF" any of you all wanted to pitch in.. "WE" could bring a smile upon 1 extra persons face..

I have a very dear friend whose son is in Iraq, her name is Florence.. Over the last couple of years.. they have sent me so many photos of what really is going on there.. Photos you do not see on the news or find in the newspaper.. The photos I got the other day made me cry.. I called and asked her if it was OK to share these pics.. and to ask her opinion on my plan.. she cried even harder.. Bless her soul.. I just love that lady.. I have never before shared any of the pictures that were sent to me.. they are all very personal.. as I said before.. the photos I get.. are not what you see on the news.. they are not photos you see in your newspaper.. these photos are real.. and heart wrenching at times..

The other day.. I had been eating lunch when a news break came on.. a helicopter was shot down.. 6 American Soldiers were killed.. they were in the 101st.. My heart just sank.. I got on the phone right away and called Flo.. she had already been contacted.. Lou was fine.. but he lost a good friend and one of his sargents... I listened to her crying telling me about it.. it just broke my heart.. Two days later.. he sent us pictures.. I wanted to share them with you.

This first photo is of 3 officers at a memorial service for his seargent that died.. the soldier in the middle of that photo is Lou.. the son of my dear friend Flo.. Lou is married to Melissa.. they have 2 young sons ... They pray each day for the safe return of their son/husband/father/friend..

(correction: the seargent who was killed ws not killed in the helicopter crash, but by a roadside bomb)

The guys and gals do so love getting gifts in the mail.. when somebody does.. they all gather around to watch them open up the package.. On his last tour.. I sent a big package so that he could share it with others there.. I am getting ready to do that again.. "Operation Love"

The holidays are fast approaching us.. and I thought with some help.. I could send one hell of a package this time.. I just ordered a few dozen bandanas and am going to make a bunch of cooling scarves.. going to go to the dollar store and pick up a couple dozen travel soap holders and fill them with "real" soap.. some small toys.. chocolate bars.. cookies!! Thought I would pour a bunch of 2oz tin candles.. make up some small baskets for Lou to pass out to some of the troops.. I can see the smiles already.. can you?

If any of you all would like to help me in this endevour.."Operation Love" that would be so wonderful.. anything at all that you could donate would be so very much appreciated.. I am waiting to hear back from Lou.. I wrote him last night.. asking which would be the best way to do this.. sending it all to him.. or he giving me a list of names with addys to send to them direct.. I will get back and let you know his answer when he gets back with me on this.. he does not have access everyday to a computer.. not sure when I will hear back from him.. I will not take any cash donations.. I never want to be accused of wrong doing with cash..

What I was thinking what would be best is.. If you wanted to pack a "small" box for 1 person.. making it unisex.. in it put a bar of soap.. some lotion.. a travel soap holder.. some cookies... a chocolate bar.. or what ever you want to.. a small note saying hi.. I can put all the small boxes into a big box and ship it to him to give out.. as I stated above.. I will wait to see what he has to say.. but I really think this way would be best..

I have never asked for help and/or donations before.. and I am feeling kinda funny about this.. but the thought of making 1 more extra person smile.. 1 more extra person know that they are being thought of.. sure makes me feel good..

Take Care.. God Bless..

Ciao.. Mary
(Mary Loveless)

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Nov. 9, 2003

Hi there everybody!!

You all have made me feel sooo good!! TY so much for all the responses here!!

I just now got off the phone with Flo & Paul.. Louie called them again this morning and she told him of my plan.. its a go!! He is the Commander in charge of his unit at the moment.. and he just loves passing things out to the guys and gals.. and is very excited about this!! He Thanks Everybody for taking a intrest in this!! I read her all the posts here.. it made her cry!!

I got a list of what the guys love to get... they send a package weekly for him to pass out.. but send what you want too!! Even if its 1 bar of soap.. it will be appreciated very very much by them!!

Powerbars.. (any kind)
Tuna in a package
Powder Gatorade
Beef Jerky
Candy.. especially M&M's
Gum
Doritos
Copenhagen Chew.. (yukkkkkkkkkkkk!!)
Baby Wipes..
TOILITRIES!!! SOAP.. LOTION.. ETC...........
TOOTHPASTE!!!! They do not have it there.. and there is no PX to purchase any either!!
A box of Christmas Cards.. so they may send home a card to their families!!
Playing Cards.. small games.. etc..
A letter..

Anything you desire.. small or large.. they will love anything that you are able to send!!

You asked for it.. you got it.. "WE" have adopted a unit!! "The 82nd Airborne Division" There are about 200 in that unit.. (They are currently working closely with the 101st)
Please send your package to:

Major Louis Zeisman
HHC 3/505 3BCT
P.I.R. 82nd. Airborne Div.
APO AE 09384

Somewhere on the box please write "Operation Love" so that Louie knows that it came from here..

You will have to fill out a declaration slip at the post office.. it is required.. they also give a discount on the shipping.. its not that expensive.. it is less expensive than shipping PP to anywhere else.. The package will take about 3 weeks to get there.. so send them soon if you are able to.. I am going to try to get my package out this week.. next week by the latest..

They all get computer time and have email addys.. I am going to ask him to forward me some addys of some of them.. if you are interested.. please let me know.. I can forward them to you too.. if you want to write to somebody there..

I Thank each of you with my entire heart for taking part in this!!

Hugzzzzzz & Love.... Mary
______________________________________________________

Nov 10, 2003

Hey Mary,
> Thanks so much for the prayers, we need them everyday. My Mom always talks
> about you and what a great friend you are to her. I enjoy the read.
>
> My address is
> Major Lou Zeisman
> HHC 3/505PIR
> 82nd ABN Division (3BCT)
> APO-AE 09384
>
> It will be fine to post my photos or the battalion photos on the board. I
> really like the rest of America to see all the hard work these soldiers do
> everyday. They are my "Heroes".
>
> Ok Mary, take care and thanks for thinking about our MEN.
>
> Lou
______________________________________________________

I TY again for this wonderful support that all of you are giving to them!!

Robin.. Louie will make sure EVERYTHING is distributed among his unit.. The 82nd Airborne Division.. which we have adopted.. If they are overwhelmed with to many items.. he will see to it that items are distributed to other units as well.. and yes you are right.. he will make sure everybody comes first.. and he is last.. that would be real sweet to add a small box just for him in there!! That is what I am doing as well!!

Thank You again.. God Bless..

Mary

Mary,
Wow---that would be very nice.
We have about 700 soldiers in the unit and only 2 women.

Anything you send the men will enjoy. Mail is sometime hard to get.
The last couple days the War has been very busy.

I must run now, but wanted to send a quick thank-you.

Hello Helen.

Take Care All,
Lou
______________________________________________________

Mary,
I'm sorry I don't write more but we have been kind of busy around here as you see on the news. Pls let all the ladies and men below know that I'm impressed by all the support for the men. Also let them know that anything (a note, card, snacks) mean the world to these guys. They are away from there families, some of them for the first time and it's hard.
Again, Thanks a million and pass on to everyone--Task Force 3/505 would like to say "Thanks".

Take Care,
Lou

______________________________________________________

Nov. 12, 2003

Hiya..

Flo gave me a call to let me know that the LA Times had interviewed Louie yesterday for 2 hours and the article was going to be in todays paper.. You have to register to read it on line.. so I did.. more spam!!

I will copy and paste it here for those who would like to read it.. you will not have to sign up.

Also, here Louis's father's webpage with a bit of history. Louis comes from a military tradition: Click here for Louis's father's webpage.

Take Care.. Mary

==========================================================================

By John Daniszewski and Patrick McDonnell, Times Staff Writers

MAMUDIYAH, Iraq - U.S. soldiers and Iraqi police arrived at the sprawling three-family farmhouse just after 4 p.m. with orders for the 15 or so people still living there: Grab what you can in the next 30 minutes, and then leave. Your house is about to be bombed.

Two hours later on Monday, a pair of F-16 warplanes screamed overhead and dropped 1,000-pound laser-guided armaments on the boxy, concrete structure. The bombs left a deep crater strewn with smashed furniture, broken concrete and other debris. The lawn, shed and date trees around it remained intact.

U.S. military authorities said the bombing of the Najim family house was a prime example of a firm new response to those who plant roadside bombs, hide weapons or carry out ambushes that kill or harm American soldiers, and they want the people in these parts to know about it. It was the third fixed-wing bombing in a week across Iraq, pointing up a re-escalation of the war by the U.S. in response to heightened insurgency.

"The message is this: If you shoot at an American or a coalition force member, you are going to be killed or you are going to be captured, and if we trace somebody back to a specific safe house, we are going to destroy that facility," said Maj. Lou Zeisman, a paratroop officer of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division deployed here from Fayetteville, N.C. "We are not going to take these continuous attacks."

For some members of Zeisman's 3-505 task force based in this town half an hour south of Baghdad, the bombing was a particularly satisfying act of strategic retribution and deterrence. That is because, they said, they had first managed to obtain confessions and physical evidence implicating male residents of the house in a recent night ambush by eight Iraqi insurgents that took the life of one of their best-loved sergeants.

The ambush and the U.S. military's crushing response offer a detailed glimpse into the give-and-take of battle now occurring in Iraq's "Sunni Triangle" west and north of Baghdad, parts of which seem to be sliding inexorably back toward all-out war.

Bands of Iraqi fighters, often affiliated with the former Iraqi army and bearing more sophisticated equipment, are acting with increased audacity and frequency against U.S.-led coalition forces. In response, the U.S. is using escalating force, including some of the most concentrated fixed-wing bombing attacks since President Bush declared the major combat phase of the war over May 1.

U.S. forces are sometimes able to turn the tables on their assailants and use human intelligence and overwhelming military force to defeat them, as the military said was the case with the house bombed Monday.

The evidence against the members of the Najim household included homemade bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and launchers, and night-vision goggles found before the strike in and around the premises, some even hidden in the false bed of a pickup truck, said Zeisman, speaking the day after the bombing that destroyed the house situated along a major supply route used by coalition forces.

'We Lost a Good Soldier'

Referring to Sgt. 1st Class Jose A. Rivera, 34, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, who was killed in a firefight last Wednesday by attackers believed to have carried out their ambush from the house, Zeisman said, "We lost a soldier that evening, a very good soldier, who was loved by a lot of people."

But he insisted it wasn't entirely revenge. "We didn't destroy a house just because we were angry that someone was killed," he said. "We did it because the people there were linked to the attack and we are not going to tolerate it anymore."

For people who harbor attackers or allow their houses to be used for planning attacks, he said, "we are going to destroy their property - period."

The sentiment was echoed by Col. Jefforey Smith, commander of the 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, in Fallouja, which also has responsibility for the Mamudiyah area.

"There is no sanctuary," Smith said. "This is serious business here. The enemy needs to know we're not playing around."

It is a message that was pushed on leaders of towns in western and central Iraq who met last weekend with Gen. John Abizaid, head of the U.S. Central Command. The general's unmistakable demand: Get with the program, or lose out on the benefits of the new Iraq.

In the Arab world, the tactic is likely to be compared to that used by Israel, which frequently bulldozes the family homes of Palestinian suicide bombers and other buildings from which Palestinian attacks are believed to emanate.

The Najim house is southeast of Mamudiyah, on the southern fringe of the Sunni Triangle, which has been the center of armed resistance to the U.S.-led occupation. Smith said the area had been calm for months but that the last few weeks had seen a surge in guerrilla actions. In addition, he had noticed a lot of mistrust of U.S. forces, to the extent that Mamudiyah police a month ago refused to go on joint patrols with the Army.

The attack that left Rivera dead occurred while the senior sergeant, who was a father figure to his platoon, was riding in a convoy patrolling a section of highway looking for improvised explosives routinely buried on the side of the road or taped to guardrails.

The convoy was hit by rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, and the U.S. soldiers responded, hitting at least one insurgent, and driving the attackers into the surrounding farmland. The Americans then sped back to base, taking the critically wounded Rivera and two other injured soldiers to medical treatment.

Rivera, suffering a head wound, could not be saved. Grown men cried that night, Zeisman said.

The next morning, another patrol went back to the site and found debris and footprints where the insurgents had lain in wait. They also discovered abandoned weapons, shell casings and a night-vision scope, an ominous sign that the American edge in being able to see at night may be ebbing as insurgents obtain better equipment.

The link to the Najim house, three miles away, came Thursday, when a unit seeking to ask residents about anti-coalition fliers being distributed in the area approached a group of six men standing outside the house, about 200 yards off the main highway. At first, said Capt. Rick Schute, commander of the battalion's Delta Company, the men seemed cooperative. But then one of Schute's soldiers noted something amiss with a white pickup truck parked in front of the Najim house.

It had a custom-made liner in the bed, and when the soldiers investigated, they found rocket-propelled grenades hidden inside a hollowed-out section. They found more illegal weapons behind the seat of the vehicle.

That prompted a thorough search of the house and shed. Inside, Zeisman said, the troops found several improvised remote-detonation bombs, equipment for making more bombs, and the other weapons, including a belt-fed machine gun.

Most damning was a night-vision scope that was an exact match with the one left at the scene where the convoy was attacked. The six men were taken into custody.

Smith said the leader of the group is believed to have been a lieutenant colonel in the former Iraqi army.

"He was proud to admit he was a former officer in the Iraqi army," Smith said. "He was still carrying all of his identification. And he expressed his personal belief during our interrogation of him that the Iraqi army was going to come back to power, and he was going to be part of it again.... He was basically a former regime loyalist. And he was proud of it."

During questioning, Zeisman said, at least one of the men admitted participating in the ambush, and they had been stopped just as they were gathering to go to the funeral for one of their comrades wounded in last Wednesday's engagement.

As a result, the Americans said, preparations were made to call in F-16s to destroy the house. Soldiers and Iraqi police blocked off the highway, assisted women and children in gathering their belongings, and transported their cattle away. The planes dropped the bombs at 6:20 p.m.

Within a day, another firefight took place just outside Zeisman's base. It left what appeared to be at least two Iraqis dead on the street.

Zeisman said he was not cleared to talk about the early-afternoon incident.

At the ruins of the bombed-out house Tuesday, the 65-year-old mother of former Iraqi air force Lt. Col. Shaalan Najim stared dejectedly, tears running down her tattooed face. Shaalan, 40, and a second son, Suhail, 45, the owner of the house, were in American custody. The home they had lived in for about 15 years was squashed as if by a giant foot. Belongings pulled from the ruins were piled up on the grass: bedding, carpets, a child's bicycle.

A younger brother of the arrested men, Emad, 30, loudly proclaimed their innocence, while a bevy of wives, cousins and grandchildren also complained and protested angrily that they had done nothing and had been given only half an hour to leave.

"My husband had nothing to do with politics," said stricken-looking Suaad Haadi, the wife of Suhail Najim. "He was a farmer, and he used his pickup truck to deliver milk from our cows."

'Terrorist House'

Emad proclaimed loudly to the small group that had gathered: "This is the freedom of America? Terrorizing and intimidating children in their garden? Women left without their husbands? Innocent men taken in? ... Where will they all stay now?"

"I did not even have time to collect my gold," said one cousin's wife.

They roundly denied that they had even been given a reason for the house's destruction until a teenage neighbor, Ghassan Ali, admitted that the Americans' interpreter, through a loudspeaker, had announced to the whole neighborhood that it was a "terrorist house."

Although they would not budge from their story that their husbands were innocent, the wife of one of the incarcerated men said otherwise when pressed by an Iraqi driver.

"If it wasn't for that damned truck ... ," she told him.

Times staff writer McDonnell reported from Fallouja

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November 15, 2003

All,
Hope everyone is doing fine and I would like to thank all for the support.
You Guys & Gals are awsome!!!!!!!!!!

Today we open our new dining facility, name after one of our soldiers killed
last week. The men will really enjoy eating inside a building and not outside.

Attached are a few photos of the opening day.
Again, thanks to everyone for the support.

Lou Zeisman

Some images taken last month by Lou:

Nov 17, 2003

Major Louis would like to say a big Happy Birthday! To his 8 year old son at home!

A Holiday Greeting to those in Iraq
from a mom in the US

T'was the night before Christmas; lights lit on the tree.

Someone is missing, and I think it is thee.

The stockings all hung by the chimney with care;

But we were still wishing that you would be there.

We were all nestled all snug in our beds, with
thoughts not of Santa, but a soldier instead.

I wonder how lonely this Christmas will be for our
loved one who's stationed away overseas.

Christmas for families is not quite the same.

Because terrorists to our country came.

Brave Americans answered the call.

Against cowards and evil who were showing such gall.

You have taken the challenge and chosen to stand;

For goodness and justice and protecting our land.

We pray for your safety and peace on this day.

We are honored and blessed to be able to say;

How proud and grateful we truly are,

Of YOU brave soldier serving our country afar.

Does the sand look like snow? Do the stars twinkle bright?

Are you cold and lonely on this most blessed night?

Do you know that you're loved? Do you know that we care?

When you feel all alone, know we will always be there.

Feel all our love, get strength from our prayers.

Miles cannot separate or keep us apart.

And although you're not with us you're here in our hearts

Stay true to your values, steadfast to your faith.

Come home to us soon, God's speed in your race.

Does the Jolly old man with the sack on his back;

Remember to visit our troops in Iraq?

He will be there for you, tonight in your dreams.

Good home cooking all part of the theme.

Visions of presents and other good things;

All the fond memories this holiday brings.

Warmth to your heart and a smile to your face;

Tonight find your peace in this far away place.

Remember you are part of a new history;

Helping Iraqi people learn to be free.

For this is just a caption in time

A small mountain for you to steadily climb.

Remember what is important to you.

2004 will bring something worthwhile and new,

And it's all because of the things that you do.

May all of God's blessings be bestowed upon you!

Proud 82nd Airborne Mom
______________________________________________________

November 23, 2003

Everyone,
Pls send all e-mail to the following e-mail address:

louis.zeisman@us.army.mil

I am doing fine.

Thanks,
Lou

Lou with an Iraqi Sheik

______________________________________________________

Dec 9, 2003

Sorry about the update delays, I had pneumonia for over a week:(. Helen

Click here for Continuation of of Photos and News on Page 2