thedrifter
10-16-07, 06:08 AM
Silly String Finally on its Way to Troops
Associated Press | October 15, 2007
TRENTON, New Jersey - A children's toy that has been refashioned by some U.S. soldiers as a bomb detector will be shipped by the thousands to troops in Iraq, the mother of a soldier behind the effort said.
Soldiers can shoot Silly String, which travels up to 12 feet (3.6 meters), across a room before entering. If the foamy string hangs in the air, that indicates a possible trip wire.
The effort to ship the Silly String has taken months because its aerosol can is considered a hazardous material, and only certain companies can ship it.
After months of frustration, Marcelle Shriver has found someone to ship about 80,000 cans.
"I'm just thrilled," she said. "I couldn't sleep too well this whole weekend thinking about it."
Thom Campbell, one of the founders of Capacity LLC, a New Jersey-based shipping company experienced in hazardous materials, heard about Shriver's effort and decided to help.
"It seemed like the right thing to do," Campbell said. "We're quite lucky to have an opportunity to help her."
The boxes of Silly String were to be picked up Monday, inspected by the company and then delivered to the United States Postal Service for transport with other letters and packages bound for Iraq.
Shriver's Silly String campaign began after her son, Todd, a soldier in Ramadi scheduled to leave Iraq in November, asked his parents to send cans of the product.
Ellie
Associated Press | October 15, 2007
TRENTON, New Jersey - A children's toy that has been refashioned by some U.S. soldiers as a bomb detector will be shipped by the thousands to troops in Iraq, the mother of a soldier behind the effort said.
Soldiers can shoot Silly String, which travels up to 12 feet (3.6 meters), across a room before entering. If the foamy string hangs in the air, that indicates a possible trip wire.
The effort to ship the Silly String has taken months because its aerosol can is considered a hazardous material, and only certain companies can ship it.
After months of frustration, Marcelle Shriver has found someone to ship about 80,000 cans.
"I'm just thrilled," she said. "I couldn't sleep too well this whole weekend thinking about it."
Thom Campbell, one of the founders of Capacity LLC, a New Jersey-based shipping company experienced in hazardous materials, heard about Shriver's effort and decided to help.
"It seemed like the right thing to do," Campbell said. "We're quite lucky to have an opportunity to help her."
The boxes of Silly String were to be picked up Monday, inspected by the company and then delivered to the United States Postal Service for transport with other letters and packages bound for Iraq.
Shriver's Silly String campaign began after her son, Todd, a soldier in Ramadi scheduled to leave Iraq in November, asked his parents to send cans of the product.
Ellie