I got an email from a friend at another post, and her FRG is.....I can't even believe it....here's what she said.
So tell me what you think about this: our FRG wants to hold a contest. whichever lady (or family) sends in the most money over the length of the deployment, will (at the welcome home ceremony) get their soldier pulled up front and they will get to "greet" them first. AND have your picture taken for the paper. I think its an awful idea but what do you think about it? Would you send in all of your "extra" money to get a chance to greet him first in front of everyone?Seriously??? I was totally shocked.
I want to hear what YOU have to say, and whether or not you would participate, and what you think should be said to the FRG. If you would do it, how much would you pay for this "greet"? Have at it!
27 comments:
Ha! Thats crazy! First of all, any "extra" money will most def. go someplace better then the FRG! Secondly, I wouldn't take away the anticipation of waiting for my hubby to be "dismissed" along with every single other soldier who has put his/her life on the line. Just because someone gives more money doesnt mean they are more entitled to see their hubby first! Thats so unfair!!!!
Terrible terrible terrible idea! The amount of money you can send is dependent on what rank your DH is, and how many kids, bills, emergencies you may have. Not everyone can save extra money to throw away like that, yet if they don't try they will feel like they didn't care enough. This is a terrible idea. I would not partake.
Save your money and do something special when he gets home even if you are waiting an extra hour or so for homecoming. You've gone this long, what's another hour?
This makes me wonder if command is aware of this. There are strict rules the FRG must abide by for fundraising, and this isn't in them. There are even stricter rules for how the money can be used, and my first question is who gets all the money in the end? What does the money go to? FRG's can't even donate to charity. That the money must be used towards family specific events for their own unit. And that all FRGs are subject to audit. And, furthermore, if things are even a little shady in the FRG the units commander is the one held responsible for it.
In other words, this woman needs to speak with someone. Start with the rear detachment commander and go from there.
I sincerely do not think they are allowed to do this.
Uhm, that sounds way wrong! I've only had experience with one post's FRG, but they had very strict rules regarding fundraising. I'm pretty sure this would have been beaten down with a stick.
Is there somewhere where your friends could bring this up to a higher authority? The FRG is supposed to be fair to all, and not every family can necessairly give extra money to the FRG. It seems like this could create tension and resentment within the group.
I'm sorry but that's the dumbest thing ever. That's the exact opposite of what the FRG should be.
It sounds like the FRG leader maybe wants some funding for a trip to Vegas?! :P haha...really though. That's nuts.
You can have your picture made for a newspaper just by being at a homecoming. Not paying for it. And one fun thing about homecomings is pushing your way through everyone else and almost knocking over the Captain to get to your man. :) Not that I know what that's like ;)
I actually think that is a pretty terrible idea and I can't believe that they are allowed to do that.
The post above mine is pretty great and I completely agree with everything she said.
Wow that's awful! I also don't think that this would be something the command would approve of.
What an interesting (in a bad way) idea. I don't see how that supports the families. It seems more like preying on people's emotional states to get money.
I agree with everyone here. What kind of FRG IS this?! I highly doubt the CO is aware of this. I would never participate in this. Wow. But then again the Army never ceases to amaze me...
Wrong, wrong, wrong on so many levels....everyone's comments above pretty much say it...personally I'd rather set aside some money for the "very private reunion" and get a little something special for the hubby!
Wow! Your FRG probably means well, but clearly did not give this idea enough thought. If I were you I would write/call/talk to the FRG and if they still plan to continue with these shenanigans talk to someone higher up the chain of command.
A better idea (in my humble opinion) would be to take a small percentage of whatever money is donated and do something nice for everyone - custom t-shirts, a party, or something OR they can use it to send care packages. I don't know just an idea.
WoW! I read your blog all the time and just started one of my own, but this is the first time i've commented..I think this is crazy and just wrong!
also I want to thank you because you had posted a couple blogs back about money during deploymen and Since Mr. H and I are young newlweds facing our first deployment we had not even thought about the money at all..but thanks to you we know have it all squared away!
Wow that is crazy! I have never heard of that. I can't even imagine this being ok. I mean what would happen with the guys? Would they all be ok with 1 soldier being able to see his wife first? Doesn't seem right to me at all.
thats ridiculous
That is absurd. Absolutely absurd.
I think having them in formation in site of family is cruel! This is HORRIBLE! How does the FRG even have a say over that?! ...unless the commander's wife is pulling some strings with her husband... putting a price on their husbands and wives is WRONG!
That is absolutely disgusting and ridiculous. I can't believe they are even considering pulling something so absurd. I want to find and slap them right now. Please tell me if they are at Hood, and I will.
Seriously, if they are here at hood, please shoot me an email and let me know who it is so that I can report them. As an FRG leader here, I know it is totally against regulations and they need to be stopped. mcfrlndsgirl@gmail.com
Well that's a horrible idea. I think my husband would prefer to see me, what? 15 minutes later than that Soldier and have that money put towards a vacation lol
That sounds like such a bad thing to do.
I second/third what MG and Sara said. I just took a class on informal funds for FRGs and I'm pretty sure that violates MANY rules.
On top of that, it's just kind of wrong and in poor taste.
Seriously, what is wrong with some people? I can't even find the good in this idea. Just appalling. I'm sure it would end well too, with everyone waiting in a patient and orderly fashion while the moneybags (or just REALLY generous) family greeted their soldier... no really, I can't see any flaws with that...
This sounds similar to a "first kiss" drawing, but a very bad version of the idea.
Our FRG is doing a first kiss raffle in which the winner's spouse will be the first one off the ship, hence receiving the first kiss. Each member earns and entry in the drawing when they attend an FRG meeting, or for each dollar they donate to the FRG.
This is a very common FRG fundraiser.
Wow!!! i really thought that was a joke!!! I cannot believe they would be allowed to do that!! Worst ideas ever!!
Do I understand it that not only do you have to put up with year long deployments you have to pay for your own welfare support?????
The most awful thing, but after FRG experience over more than 10 years, I'm not surprised at the "yet another" indescribable idiocy that comes out of some people. I have to believe that the command doesn't know about this because I don't believe it would be permitted.
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