We've all heard the statement that homefront support for the troops is waining. Many organizations that were gung ho to support the troops have had to close their doors due to lack of financial support. However, I've personally felt the magnanimous nature of the American people in Sew Much Comfort.
So many others have as well. We've all been touched in so many ways by the generosity of the everyday civilians who want to make a real impact. Recently the NMFA Newsletter shared such a story. I thought I'd share it with you! As the 4th of July rolls around and the country gives thanks to the military - I'd like to thanks those thousands of civilians who support and love our troops as well!
Deployment Chronicles
By Joy Young, NMFA Volunteer, Phoenix, AZ
NMFA July 2007 Newsletter
It was a typical hot and dry day in Phoenix. The high spirit and
support evident during holidays were waning and people simply wanted to
stay inside, free from the heat. To support military families, I
regularly coordinated care packages for those deployed. Some of the
requests for packages came through friends and families, while other
requests came through http://www.anysoldier.com/.
It was this particularly hot day that I received a request from a
nurse in the Navy. She was recently deployed in the Middle East and
asked for a list of items to be shipped to her. My first thought was,
"How am I going to get help when people are tired of volunteering time
and money?"
Still, I sent the request out, breathed a prayer, and hoped for the
best. I had six people respond which was more than I had hoped for. All
weekend and evening we gathered the items and I ended with four large
boxes. I quickly assembled my family and started packing and taping
shipping boxes. Shortly after, neighborhood families arrived to help
prepare everything to ship the next day. I also received offers from
two other individuals to pay for the shipping costs. After I finished,
I looked around the room. There were boxes on the couch, chairs,
recliner and table. I couldn't even see the floor. The next morning, I
left the shipment for my mother to take to the Post Office and headed
off to work.
I walked up the stairs and sat down on my desk still feeling
overwhelmed by the generous response from the community. Colleagues
started coming to my cubicle. "Joy, I have friends or family in the
military and I want to show them my support. What can I do?" "Can I
help on the next support project?" "I don't know anyone in the
military, but I want to help."
At the end of the day, I left my office and walked to the car.
People cared! I felt humbled for having thought so little of my fellow
man. Patriotic fervor and holiday highs will pass. Political tides will
ebb and flow. But there will be people who will stand by your loved
ones and their families, quietly, sincerely offering to give of
themselves. You may never meet them. You may never see them. But they
are standing ready, nonetheless, and their lives are dedicated to
supporting you.
