Group drumming up supplies for soldiers

PRIEST RIVER — As a soldier's angel you never expect that a wounded soldier could be your neighbor.

People who participate in write letters and send boxes to Iraq, but rarely do they know the soldiers hometown or even hear from them, said Albeni Pipes and Drums coordinator Kari Thompson.

However, the organization has learned that a wounded local soldier, (name and exact location are being withheld at this time for the family's privacy) is coming home to North Idaho to recuperate and convalesce at his home just miles from here.

"This hero is part of our community, part of our lives," Thompson said. "And he needs us more than ever."

The need is great, she said. He has medical bills, no transportation to and from the hospital for treatments and a wife who is pregnant.

"This is not about someone out there, it is about one of our own, in need of our help," Thompson said.

"We ask that our community open their hearts and help this hero get back to rights."

She also encourages people to continue to participate in a local Soldiers' Angels project. The organization is coordinating an effort to ship personal supplies to a platoon once a month and is preparing to send a second shipment later this month.

If all else fails, try and buy enough to help at least a couple of soldiers each week, which means filling one priority box.

The band sent 30 boxes to its first platoon, and has since received a request to help a company of 20 troops and a small platoon of 12, all out in the front lines.

"We have sent an additional 20 boxes to new soldiers and Marines and have more almost ready to go, it's just now we have so many in need that our supplies are almost empty," Thompson said.

Concerned citizens have made generous cash donations to mail boxes, and many have contributed items to send, however a flat rate priority box, albeit small in size holds up to 70 pounds and Thompson and her band pack them full to the brim.

"We pack them tightly, no space goes unfilled, but one box can essentially help five or six men or women and that's terrific, she said.

"We make each box count, but the supplies go very fast."

Thompson is asking the community for more donations after the following request came in:

"I have 20 troops that work for me here in Iraq. We are frequently out on patrol and sleep where/when we can. Our re-supply here is minimal and some of my troops do not have access to any outside provisions. They rely entirely on care packages to fulfill their needs, but many have no families or loved ones to send these care packages, so the need grows with more young people being deployed and little re-supply here, and no family at home," wrote Captain Arwerk of Iraq.

Thompson said she could not deny the request.

The donations needed are: Shampoo, conditioner, chapstick, deodorant, moisturizing skin lotion, Visine, black socks, twin sheet sets, twin fleece blankets, just-add-water foods, individually wrapped snacks like Little Debbie, etc. No home-baked items and no used items can be accepted.

One soldier wrote Thompson to explain his life as a soldier in Iraq.

"We live in tents together, not a lot of privacy, and at night it's like sleeping in Noah's Ark, a bunch of men snoring loudly. We have to walk 150 yards to our shower trailer and if you want hot water you are there by 4 a.m.

"It gets really cold and the wind cuts through you, and the summers can reach up to 140 degrees. I guess what I am trying to tell you is, it's the little things we miss the most and take for granted, or did. Thank you for helping us and believing in us" —Sargeant Ballash, Iraq.

Thompson said when she holds a letter like this in her hands that she knows what the community is doing is making a difference.

"It helps give them hope and hope keeps them focused on coming home. It's really that simple," she said.

If you would like to support these troops, call Thompson at 448-1067 or send a donation for box shipping to Albeni Falls Pipes and Drums for Platoons P.O. Box 374 Priest River ID 83856 or Albeni Falls Pipes and Drums for Platoons P.O. Box 401 Sandpoint, ID 83864.