HOW IT ALL BEGAN

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Grass Roots Troop Support......the title I gave my care package ministry ten years ago.   Not too many folks were sending care packages to the service men and women at the outset of the war in Iraq.   It all started with a letter my sister received from Parris Island prior to my nephew Alex McBride's graduation ceremony from boot camp.   That letter told her there were many Marines who would have no family members attending the ceremony culminating the completion of their life altering training.   The Marine Corps was requesting those families attending the weekend to 'adopt' one of the Marines and show them the admiration and appreciation due any recruit who had gone  through boot camp and made it to graduation as one of "the few and the proud".   That letter was etched in my heart........I could not fathom any young man or woman achieving the ultimate goal of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor and all it entailed without their family there.

Weeks later when Alex first deployed to Afghanistan the reality of those Marines with no family support spoke to my heart.  I asked Alex if he would be my middle man, my distributor, of care packages if I mailed one or two.   Naturally he was pleased to help.   That was intended to be a package every few weeks but he Lord had other intentions for the future of this endeavor.   I also realized I might consider asking friends for donations.   One friend suggested a local paper write an article about what I was doing to bring awareness to the community so that perhaps others would be inspired to follow this path.   That small article and my willingness to ask just about anyone for donations turned my little project into something much larger.

Before I knew it, the funds were rolling in and I was shipping fifteen boxes out each week to different units out of Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point, NC.   destined for  Iraq, Djibouti and Kuwait. Later, as each unit prepared to return to the states, I requested the names and addresses of their replacements.   This project just kept expanding! Unfortunately, due to the economy, I now send fewer boxes each week.

I received letters of thanks...far too many to count.    Each letter lifted my heart and soul and made me more determined to keep this effort going.  Commandants, Regiments, Battalions, Companies, Squads and individuals expressed their gratitude by sending me American flags flown in my honor with accompanying certificates (some on very special dates such as 9/11, July 4th or Memorial Day) and challenge coins.   Many, in their letters, shared a little about themselves and their families back home.  I'm so thankful the Lord put in on my heart to serve our troops ....He certainly knew more about me than I did when He opened that door!!!    What means most to me is knowing the happiness that comes to those who open the boxes to find all sorts of snacks, socks, toiletries and magazines that I know troops appreciate.    I recall one letter where a 1stSgt who received a box wrote that it was the "Motherload"  of all care packages!!   That definitely put a huge smile on my face.  Most importantly those who are serving far from home are assured that we 'have their backs'. Their morale and their well being are lifted up in knowing that we at home have not forgotten them and we are always here for them.

I am humbled and honored to know that after all these years our warriors are still moved by the boxes I pack and ship.  I started out shipping to NCO's of each unit and then I switched to the chaplains because they travel all over the (AO) Area of Operation which would reach more troops in the most remote FOBs. (Forward Operating Bases). The chaplains continue to be a huge blessing to the distribution process.   So many people are factors in making this ministry a success.   I give thanks every day for the cooperation of the Family Readiness Officers (liaisons between active duty troops and their families) of each unit and their willingness to work with me.

Over the years my life has been fulfilled by meaningful friendships with those in the military and their families.   I cannot imagine what my life would have been like the last ten years had I not been involved with supporting our deployed troops and the gratification I received by serving others.  As the war winds down and our troops return home next year, I look forward to whatever doors the Lord will open for me.
I will always continue to pray for their safety and give thanks for their voluntary service to our great country.