Church groups' boxes show they won't forget deployed troops

[thedrifter]

Church groups' boxes show they won't forget deployed troops
By STEVEN G. VEGH, The Virginian-Pilot
? June 21, 2003

President Bush said in May that the major fighting in Iraq was over. Long-deployed Navy vessels are back in port and warplanes have returned to their home bases. Seems like there's no longer a need to ``support the troops,'' right?

Wrong, say parishioners in two local congregations who are sending toiletries and comforts to some of the more than 100,000 servicemen and women overseas.

``We still have people over there -- we still have people from our church over there,'' said Mandy Eames, who has organized the effort at Western Branch Baptist Church in Portsmouth.

At St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, members have been asked to donate supplies for ``months and months and months to come.''

``The war truly is going on, the troop strength is at an all-time high,'' in Iraq, said St. Aidan's rector, the Rev. Peter Hogg. ``All these Navy guys are coming back. But all the Army guys are still out there.''

At Western Branch, 28 packages have been sent overseas to 13 men and women in the Navy, Air Force, Marines and Army.

On a recent morning, Eames and Debbie O'Dell, another volunteer, were at the church packing more boxes with items popular among deployed military people.

``Baby wipes'' are particularly appreciated by soldiers who use the moistened, disposable washcloths for cleaning up between infrequent showers.

Also in demand by ground troops are dog flea collars. Worn at the ankles, the chemical strips are said to ward off desert sand fleas.

Other staples include toothpaste, tampons, candy, playing cards, stationery, ``AA'' batteries, antiperspirant, flypaper, dental floss, gum and disposable razors. A letter of support from the congregation is enclosed.

Western Branch members have donated the goods as well as money to pay shipping costs. Each box weighs about 5 pounds and costs about $7 to mail.

So far, the packages from Western Branch have gone to servicemen and women with personal links to the congregation.

But Eames, whose husband is a Coast Guard commander, said she will send a box to anyone in the military whose name and mailing address is forwarded to the church.

``It shows someone is thinking and praying for them. I pray over every box and hope it will touch their heart in some special way,'' she said.

At St. Aidan's, the congregation is collecting books, sunglasses and pocket-sized board games in addition to treats and toiletries.

The supplies are sent to Hogg's 26-year-old son, John, who is working for the American Red Cross at a U.S. military base in Kuwait.

John Hogg distributes the goods wherever he finds a need among troops stationed in Kuwait or heading for Iraq.

Like Eames, Peter Hogg said the ``care packages'' are one more way of fulfilling the Christian mandate to help people in need.

``Every Sunday we still pray by name for every single person we know who's serving, both members of the church as well as friends,'' Hogg said. ``There are a lot of guys over there who thought they'd be home by now.''


Reach Steven G. Vegh at steven.vegh@pilotonline.com or 446-2417.

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories...813&ran=163589


Sempers,

Roger