“A Big Letdown”
“Soldiers Learn They’ll Be in Baghdad Longer Than Expected”
'We've been out here for six months, and it looks like we're going
to be here for another six months more,’ said one soldier.”
OPERATION: FRIENDSHIP
A giving project by the MSK Dalton Team
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“A Big Letdown” “Soldiers Learn They’ll Be in Baghdad Longer Than Expected”
'We've been out here for six months, and it looks like we're going to be here for another six months more,’ said one soldier.”
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Our team has been asked to help lift the morale of the 94th Company of the 1st Battalion in Iraq. These US Reservists have been deployed in Iraq since December of 2002, and the troops won’t be home until June of 2004. The home base of the 94th is Saco, Maine.
The soldiers range in age from 19 to 49. All hold civilian jobs in Maine, but are serving as Military Police and Medics while stationed in Iraq. At home, some are college students, new fathers with infant children, teachers, policemen… but all are homesick for New England. This winter will be their second Holiday season without family; any cheer we can send them would be highly appreciated. Though this summer temperatures reached 140 F, this winter will bring constant rain and freezing temperatures.
Mrs. Hebert’s yellow block LA welcomed two relatives of the reservists, Mrs. Stegeman and Mr. Titcomb. They presented a slide show of their family members (a son, and a husband) in Iraq – tent cities, pictures of Saddam, sandstorms, equipment, etc. They miss news of New England and the festive holiday decorations. As a giving project, we could “adopt” this company of 35 men by sending them cheerful letters of support and small care-package items.
Particularly helpful would be the following items:
Letters and notes
Holiday decorations (snowflakes, chains, etc)
Burnt CD mixes of your favorite tunes
Light reading materials
Hot cocoa and hot cider packets
Gum, mints, lifesavers, etc
Hand and toe warmers
Mementoes of New England (pine cones, post cards, shells)
There will be a box placed in each advisory for your donations. Mrs. Stegeman will collect our gifts and letters on November 20th. Let’s support our local soldiers during this giving month of November and lift their morale with our positive efforts!