Local volunteers keep the care flowing

Chubby fingers hesitantly reached for the green plastic soldier I held out. After inspecting the toy curiously for a moment, the little boy flashed me a grin before running to catch up with his family.

Things were finally winding down at the Palmetto Wal-Mart where Manatee’s Operation Troop Support volunteers had been gathering snacks and donations all weekend to enable them to keep serving the local troops.

During the three hours I volunteered on Sunday afternoon, I heard the gamut of responses from people, including “I’m on vacation,” “I’m not from here,” "Sorry, no…”

I looked over to Army mom Linda Craig after one brusque response and jokingly asked, “What, they’re not American?” She smiled and reminded me, "Our sons serve so they can have the freedom to do what they want." Linda always seems able to put things into perspective with diplomacy and kindness.

But the majority of the responses were so incredibly positive that we didn’t let the “no” people bother us. “Tell your son ‘thanks’” was heard several times. Old-timers filled us in on their time serving their country on ships, in Vietnam, in Germany and all over the world.

A young woman hesitantly held a bag of snacks over one of the bins. “In here?” she asked. Before she could run off, I asked her if she had someone in the military. She turned back and told us about her husband in Japan. A Marine who was supposed to be coming home the next day, but had emergency surgery and would not be coming home for a month.

I fumbled for a pen and took her e-mail address, telling her about the wives’ support group and encouraging her to contact them. We thanked her and watched as she walked to her car.

Over the weekend, MOTS gathered more than $8,000 worth of snacks and $1,162 in cash donations. Our local troops will continue to receive monthly care packages, and family members the support, services and love from the people at home who care. In founder Jim Comkowycz’s words, “We know you are there, and we care.”

Thanks, MOTS, and thanks to all who gave and keep on giving.

Tiffany
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Volunteers at Palmetto Wal-Mart

To see more photos, go to the MOTS website by clicking here:

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Around the military:

Army Spc. Erik Heath hooks up a toe-bar to the rear wheel of a Black Hawk helicopter, July 12, 2008, at the Combat Aviation Brigade flight line in Baghdad, Iraq. Heath is assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Monica K Smith

A U.S. Army soldier pulls security while other soldiers search the house in Shula, Iraq, July 7, 2008. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to the 101st Infantry Division's 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Manuel J. Martine




U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Johathan R. Segovia, personnel security detail, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, a ground combat element attached to Multinational Force - West, relaxes with Iraqi children in Sha-ban, Iraq, July 9, 2008. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Taylor J. Schulz




U.S. Army Maj. Shean Phelps re-enlists U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin Arnold in an underwater ceremony on the main deck of the newly sunken aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, which is located at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico about 23 miles south of Pensacola, Fla., July 6, 2008. This was the first re-enlistment to be held aboard the sunken aircraft carrier. Arnold is a personnel specialist attached to Naval Air Station Pensacola. U.S. Navy photo