We would like to inform you of the Raffle for a Cause in support of US Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan posted at the Depot 53 site: "From the beginning the airsoft community has rallied around the effort to raise money for troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  From July 15th to September 15th, you can help support the troops and enter to win one of 35 great prizes:

• TSD Tactical M4 AEG (1)
• G&G GR25 Sniper Rifle (1)
• KWA KP45 (Metal) GBB (1)   
  
• KWA 1911 (Metal) GBB (1)
• SuperCell ASC7 Claymore Mine (4)    
  
• WE Hi-Capa 5.1 Silver Dragon (1)
• JBU M4 Tubular Conversion Kit (1)    
  
• CyberGun Desert Eagle UG Pistol (2)
• CyberGun M4505 Spring Pistol (4)   
  
• CyberGun Taurus PT92 HW Pistol (4)
• CyberGun Micro UZI Spring SMG (2)   
  
• CyberGun SIG P229 Spring Pistol (1)
• TSD Tactical BB's (6)   
  
• JBU RIS Rail Covers (6)

Tactical Airsoft & Milsim magazine and Depot 53 are proud to join the effort by co-sponsoring the Rally 'Round The Troops Raffle.  Sponsorship for the Raffle has grown to include national distributors of airsoft products, airsoft forums, and individual airsofters.  Companies like Team SD (ICS/TSD), SoftAir Direct (CyberGun), J-Sports USA (KWA), Spartan Imports (Classic Army) and BFX Imports (Excel BB's) have joined with manufacturers like JBU (Tactical Accessories) and SuperCell Development (ASC7 Claymore) to support the effort.

Airsoft forums around the country like Airsoft Arizona, Airsoft El Paso, Airsoft Core, Amplified Airsoft, AirSoft Retreat, and North Eastern AirSoft Group (NEASG) are also pitching in to help raise awareness, while retailers like The Wargame Room in Milwaukee and individual airsofters like Staff Sergeant Arnel Udani and other members of the U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Morgantown, West Virginia are contributing personally.

100% of every dollar contributed will be used to send phone cards to deployed units of the 82nd Airborne Division.  To enter, simply click on the 82 Airborne Raffle link.  Winners and results will also be announced in our News Section plus the next edition of Tactical Airsoft Magazine.

US military units have a long history of serving their country under arduous, hostile conditions.  The current conflict in the Middle East sees soldiers, sailors and airmen deployed 7,000 miles from home in Iraq and Afghanistan.  However, unlike previous wars, today's deployments are significantly different in both good and bad ways.  On the downside troops are being redeployed to combat at an unprecedented rate and combat tours are longer than they have been in decades.  But unlike other conflicts troops in the field have access to technology that keeps them connected to home like never before.  Through the Internet and the global phone network forward-deployed units can stay in touch with family and friends in real time.  As a retired Marine put it, "There is nothing like a phone call home when you're in the #$@*".

Earlier this year Joe Mazur began contacting people across the country asking for help with a fundraiser he was involved in for members of the 82nd Airborne Division serving in Iraq.  Donations were needed to purchase phone cards for troops so they could stay in touch with their families back home.  Joe was involved because his son, PFC Jake Mazur, is currently serving with 82nd in Baghdad.  As a result of his efforts, over $10,000 worth of phone cards have been shipped to the troops so far.  According to Joe, "the response has been overwhelming and donations are still coming in from all over the country".   In addition to the Raffle, tax-deductible contributions can also be mailed directly to: D.A.V. - La Strada Phone Card Drive, P.O. Box 356, Lake Lure, NC 28746. While there are many causes that ask for help, few are more worthy than giving troops in harms way a chance to talk directly to their families back home.  Please enter the Rally 'Round The Troops Raffle and join other airsofters in giving a little to those who are sacrificing so much."