If I don't return home from Iraq, I want you to do some huge favors for me.

First of all, mom and dad, I want you to donate my car to charity.  There are organizatiosn who will take your (gently-used) vehicle for charity, such as for children's causes or causes for education for graduating seniors or prospective college students.

Second, I want you to donate the clothes that don't fit me anymore (or don't wear any longer) to area churches.  I am sure they would appreciate it; there are so many needy people as you and I are well aware of, especially here in America.

Third, I want to donate my corneas, kidneys, pancreas, and liver to medical science.  I am sure there are patients who are desperately waiting for these items.  I would also like to donate my heart and my lungs.  I don't want to see another person suffer needlessly, like your brother did (dad).  Seeing Uncle Carl suffer until his death broke my heart because even though he was on the heart/lung transplant list, he never got them before he died.  He died a senseless death, in my opinion.

If I do come back damaged, I want you to donate my skis, poles, and equipment to area schools or to the area ski resort.  You know they can always use stuff like that, especially since this has been a rather snowy (and cold) winter.

I want you to donate my bed and furnitaure (as well as my belingings) to the local homeless shelter.  Or maybe to the Salvation Army if that is feasible.

I know this is a lot of you to think about, but I would feel better knowing that other people can use my things just in case I don't make it back.  I know that might not happen, but I'm going to a nation that has been embroiled in war; you may never know.  It is a distinct possibility.  Very distinct.