Published: February 15, 2008 09:25 pm      

EXTRA MILER: Hoosier cheer for heroes

Josh had just returned from spending three days in the city of Baghdad, Iraq. Those past several days had been the worst of the six months since his deployment. As he headed toward his first shower in four days, he thought about his friends and family back home.

Since last week was his birthday, Josh decided to check the mail tent. As always, he was told he had no mail. Josh’s parents and siblings were busy with life back home. Still, he thought he would get a few cards on his 19th birthday.

Josh started back toward the shower when he heard excited conversation at the back of the mail tent. He turned back to find a large box had arrived with cards and letters for his unit. As the word spread throughout the unit, soldiers made their way to the mail center. Cards from Indiana school children, letters from college students and cards from Southern Indiana residents were stacked up on a table.

Since Josh had a 9-year-old step-brother back home, he decided to pick up a few of the colorful cards written by the children who attend Green Valley Elementary School. He read, “To A Troop, You are very, very, very brave. My teacher is not so brave as you. Thank you. Love, David.”

The outside of the card was colored with a rainbow over a soldier and tank. Josh could imagine his little brother creating just such a card.

He picked up a card from school children at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and it read: “I am a girl. Do a lot of girls fight over there? God Bless You.”

He picked up a small white card that read: “I am a person with a disability attending a day program in New Albany. Thank you for your service.”

Josh smiled for the first time in six months.

He looked at the writing on the envelopes that showed respect for his work, “To An American Hero, To an Important Person in the Military, To A Brave Soldier, and To One of Our Nation’s Finest.” Josh read a card from a mother who wrote, “My son is over there and I know how difficult it has to be for all of you. Please understand our country appreciates your sacrifice.”

As others began reading the cards, Josh picked up a final card with detailed and colorful Christmas drawings.

“I can’t believe you did all of that for us. You are so brave. I sure hope Santa can find you. Merry Christmas. Abbie,” it read.

Josh asked if he could take a couple of the cards and was told there was enough for everyone to keep several cards. He kept Abbie’s card and found the card with the rainbow and took them to his tent.

He forgot about the previous three days, he forgot about his birthday being missed and he forgot about his shower as he reread the two cards, crunched on the peppermint candy canes taped to the cards and studied every detail of the thoughtful drawings. He knew why he was in Iraq.

Thank you to the Southern Indiana residents who created and wrote out the 2,834 cards for the men and women serving our country in Iraq. These cards and letters will be sent overseas through Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman’s Hoosier Cheer for Our Heroes project and will be enjoyed by military personnel like Josh.

Thanks to The Evening News and The Tribune for sponsoring our card drive, and to Sam’s Warehouse, First Christian Church and Perkfection Coffee/Café for collecting the cards.

Thank you to Barbara Reed, who sat and wrote notes in more than a hundred cards in honor of her son, Michah Reed. Michah is in Iraq and the story she told of soldiers who never receive mail inspired this column.

Thank you to Vicki Neely and the Green Valley Elementary School for being the first to respond to our call for cards. A special thanks to my husband, Ken, who counted most of the cards while taping on over 2,500 candy canes. He always steps up when needed.

To anyone who is serving or has served in the military: We thank you and wish you a happy and safe holiday season.

• Kindness Tip of the Month: If you would like to send cards, letters or packages to our troops, there are groups who will provide assistance. My brother in the military advised that it is unlikely that any card or letter sent overseas or to any of the military hospitals without a specific name of a soldier will be received. If you would like to send packages or letters to soldiers in general, check out these verified Web sites:

• www.healthytroops.com/SponsorATroop.htm or call 928-536-9191

•www.ustroopcarepackage.com/ or call 509-521-7508

Carol A. Dawson is a resident of Jeffersonville and owner of EEO Guidance, Inc. If you have seen or been a part of an act of kindness or know an Extra Miler, let her know about it. To submit a story or act of kindness, contact Carol via e-mail: Extra.Milers@newsandtribune.com or mail: The Extra Milers, The Evening News, 221 Spring St. Jeffersonville, IN, 47130-3340.