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How To Place Your Order
Here's where it might be a little confusing. All orders involving shirts &/or hats, are shipped using the U.S.P.S., Priority Mail service (note below chart). The starting rate normally covers up to (2-3) shirts, plus (depending on the shirt size) maybe a coin or several decals or maybe a hat (that's just part of the confusion).
There are two ways to pay for your order: PAYMENT BY MAIL - You can mail a check or money order made out to "J.C. McElroy" (not the State Defense Force), to the following address:J.C. McElroy 3142 Northbrook Drive Atlanta, GA 30341-4630 Please remember to include with the payment, your shipping address and a telephone number where I can reach you (just in case there's an issue).
ONLINE PAYMENT - I'm now taking payments using Square. The drawback being the Credit Card Processing fees they charge. With that said, there is a simple 2% fee added to the total.
USPS Priority Mail Rates (Estimated): (used for larger items)
USPS First Class Postage is used whenever reasonably possibly but typically if purchasing Coins &/or Decals by themselves. But not when combined with shirt or hat orders.
Here's the scoop about what we do here (and why.)
I joined the Georgia State Defense Force in November 2001 and was in the IT Detachment (now called G6) until April 2012. I then proudly serviced as the Headquarters HHC Commandant for (7) years, then moved to the 132nd Medical BN in FEB 2020. I had the idea for these t-shirts in 2002 while having a shirt made for my small (telecom) business. After being approved by our former commander, BG Michael McGuinn, in late 2002 the first batch of (100) shirts were produced and since then over (650) shirts have been sold. Subsequently I have added a couple other products to the t-shirt line, the latest being the GSDF P.T. T-shirts. The production of these items are personally funded, by me (except those sold for the G4 shop), with payback as they sell. Recently (and very reluctantly!) I had to raise the price of the multi-color logo t-shirts, solely due to the fact that my cost became greater than what I was charging.
I have always enjoyed working closely with our G4 (formally BG Cameron Reeves and BG Ed Sonnenfeld) on many projects through the years. That is why I also help promote items they have available through the G4 shop. I do not sell Uniform specific items, such as Rank insignia or uniform patches, but do assist in selling their promotional items such as the Official GSDF Challenge Coin. As these items are sold at their price (I do not markup), I sometimes have to ask for help from the purchaser if I have any out of pocket expenses in processing their online orders. Also, I keep my margins very thin on the things I produce and sell, so there are times I ask to split certain costs with the purchaser (like Credit Card processing fees). Though there is never a "Handling Fee" or anything like that here.
As you can tell from this site, I am a simple (and novice) website designer. So at this time, I am not capable of creating a sophisticated "Online Shopping" site. For now and while I learn, I have to do things a little more "old school" and manually. I use this site as a personal learning experience and do not take any compensation for the design or maintenance there of.
I am not interested in making anything (personally) off selling these items. By making donations directly to the Association of the Georgia State Defense Force, our 501(c)(3) non-profit, 100% of the proceeds made on selling any of these items goes back to the State Defense Force. Through the years, the proceeds have purchased such things as (6) HP Laser Printers (and cartridges), a new Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Internet Router (WAP) for our Confederate Ave. Headquarters, a Deep Cell Battery for the 911th Support Command COMMO Detachment, (50) Kevlar Helmet Covers and most recently Two CA$H donations to the AGSDF, to purchase new computer software and helped to fund the GSDF Birthday Ball (our formal dinner function), including sponsoring soldiers who may not be able to afford attendance, since 2010. Those who know me, know I do this for the same reason I am in the GSDF...because I love what I do with and for this organization. And in no way do I want to sound like an ego speaking or that I'm seeking any acknowledgment. Just buy this stuff to support the GSDF and help spread the word of this site to other members & Units, so they can enjoy these items as well. That's truly the only repayment I seek.
To all the members (and families of members) of the GSDF, I sincerely appreciate what you sacrifice for your community, our State and the Georgia National Guard.
"PARATI SERVIRE"
J.C."Mac" McElroy
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