I was touched by the response I received from my last posting, especially from Reddunappy. And as someone who took the time to leave a comment and has a child heading to Iraq, I was prompted to write this story for them and anyone who has family serving in the military overseas.
First of all I want to clarify something. We called our nephew Chuck after his Grandfather he was named for, although after he joined the Army he wanted to go by Charlie. So that is what his friends and team mates called him.
At Chuck's funeral I learned that one of his team mates was present. After the service I asked the Army Chaplin to point him out to me. I saw this sad, young soldier standing alone in the parking lot. So I went over and introduced myself. His face suddenly brightened and he very excitedly exclaimed, "Uncle Gary....I mean Charlie's Uncle Gary" as he shook my hand enthusiastically.
He said he was very happy to meet me and wanted to thank me.
I was blown away.
Not only that he knew who I was, but why in the world would he want to thank ME???
He said,"Charlie always shared the packages you and your wife sent, and that last one was amazing. It was like a mini Christmas in our tent. The food and cigars were great but the TOYS were a real hit. To see a bunch of soldiers playing like school kids! I have got to tell you about those airplanes, we had a blast throwing them around. Then one day Charlie took them up to the observation post we had on top of one of the tallest motels in Baghdad. He was pulling the evening watch and would have got into a lot of trouble for this. Any way about an hour before sundown, somebody noticed those airplanes floating in the thermal drafts around the top of the motel. We all watched them rising and falling with the air currents all around the OP. Finally as the sun was setting they floated off, high over Baghdad. It was one of the most memorable things I saw there. I'll never forget it!!!"
We talked a little more and then he was called away to his duties as poll barer.
When my wife and I were at the store getting items for Chuck's "CARE PACKAGE", along with the snacks, personnal hygiene stuff, and cigars, I grabbed a bunch of toys. My wife thought I was crazy to want to sent water guns, Nerf balls, cards, and styrofoam glider airplanes, etc., to a bunch of soldiers. I tried to explain that they needed stress relief too! But she still thought I was "nuts".
So Reddunappy, when you send your daughter packages, be sure to add some toys....GO NUTS!
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8 comments:
Thanks for sharing that story, GW. It must have really lifted your spirits knowing how happy you made Charlie and his fellows while serving over in Iraq.
~Lisa
aka~Rapunzle
Lisa: It sure did, and still does. I knew that they would get some use out of the stuff, but I never expected the real impact it would have for them. I just wish I would have thought of adding toys to the packages from the very start.
Aw, Gary - I learned a while ago to always trust my gut - I'm sure you knew this when you bought those toys, and you clearly made so many (young) men very happy that day with your choice to include a few toys.
Uncle Gary - I'm betting Chuck misses you every day.
Greywolf, what a wonderful story, I bet you never forget those little airplanes, the wind must really blow over there! I am going to make sure I send her/them some! I have gotten the impession that the care packages mean a lot to the folks that are deployed over there, maybe sara can introduce us to some folks that need "care packages" that dont have someone at home. Thank you so much, for sharing this wonderful story.
Danni: Sometimes it's the little things that mean the most. Like a kind word from a friend.
Reddunappy: yes, packages from home are a very important part of a service persons life. Find the items that they have a hard time getting and send plenty to share.
We used to send a lot of those disposable cameras to Chuck, and he took some amazing photos with them. When he came home he had lots of pictures to help explain his adventures and show us his friends and photos they took of him too.
Mail is another moral booster. No matter how boring or insignificant what you write may seem to you, it makes a big difference to them. Write often and include photos. Even those service people that can recieve emails appreciate a written page.
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He told me that story too in one of his letters. He really loved the pkges we, and especially you, sent. That was one of these best things about his funeral, getting to hear the stories from his friends in other states. I was always amazed by how everyone knew me. But, I guess I shouldn't have been, he just had that way of letting people know they were important to him.
What a great post and a cool uncle to send him those care packages!
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