In the midst of the sweltering 115 degree heat and blinding sand
storms, local soldiers deployed in Iraq have been receiving letters
of support and care packages from home, thanks to a local
non-profit, Operation Homecoming, and generous county
residents.
In the midst of the sweltering 115 degree heat and blinding sand storms, local soldiers deployed in Iraq have been receiving letters of support and care packages from home, thanks to a local non-profit, Operation Homecoming, and generous county residents.
“It means a great deal to the soldiers to see such an awesome show of support from home, and I wanted to thank you for your hard work on the project,” 1st Lt. Shane Smith wrote in a letter to organizers.
During the past three months, Operation Homecoming has sent roughly 100 boxes filled with supplies, food and letters to local service men and women in Iraq.
It hasn’t been cheap. Supplies for one box, including things like toothpaste, powdered Gatorade, anti-bacterial soap and food, cost roughly $40, and it’s another $30 to $40 to ship them. Along with a few private citizen contributions, San Benito High School, the Native Daughters of the Golden West and the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars have held their own fundraisers and donated.
Kathleen Wright, of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, said it’s important for the entire community to do its part in supporting the local troops.
“I think it’s a lot more meaningful when the soldiers receive these things from their neighbors and local communities,” she said. “It lets them know the people at home are thinking about them.”
Co-founders Lauretta Avina and Azie Salvas both have family members in the military, and have made it their job to get community members involved in supporting local soldiers in Iraq.
“It gives me goose bumps to think of all the young women and men who have no one to support them over there,” Avina said. “When John (her husband) has a bad day, he can call me and I try to lift him up, but a lot of them don’t have this. Receiving these boxes and letters, even if they’re anonymous, helps lift these soldiers out of their funk.”
Operation Homecoming saw a lot support when it got underway in May, but the donations are no longer coming in. Salvas said it’s important for the community to keep the soldiers in their thoughts. Her son, Pfc. Bryan Rodriguez, is arriving home in Hollister early next week, and she said even though he’s home, she’ll continue to send packages and write letters to those deployed.
“It’s important for everyone to participate and continue to support our troops,” she said. “It’s the least we can do for all they’re doing for us.”
Avina agrees.
“How dare we not take five minutes out of our day to do something for these guys,” she said. “They’re over there in such awful conditions. You know, when I go to bed at night, I get to sleep in my own bed, but John and his men can’t. We need to show them they’re supported.”
Although there may be only a handful of soldiers from this county overseas, each one of them is part of a squad, a platoon, a company, a battalion, a brigade and a division with men and women who have no support coming from home, Salvas said.
“I think some people don’t realize that we’re not just trying to support our own family members,” she said. “We’re trying to support all those soldiers who have no one. Just by letting them know we care makes a world of a difference in their lives and gives them a sense of home.”
Operation Homecoming is still looking for donations, money or supplies. For more information, or to get involved, call 636-8616 or 801-9319.
