Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Residents helping soldiers in Iraq

Several area individuals, churches and organizations are working to make Arkansas soldiers' lives in Iraq just a little better. Gurdon resident Peggy Hargraves said the First United Methodist Church of Gurdon has set a goal to send care packages to Iraq every month.

The project began when Clark County resident Robert McGill was deployed. The first month, the group sent 600 pairs of socks  one pair for every soldier stationed with McGill's unit.

"There's 600 in his battalion," Hargraves said. "So we sent 600 pairs of socks."

Last month, soldiers got phone cards. This month, the church members are gathering toothbrushes, toothpaste and powdered drink mixes. Hargraves said she hopes to send Crystal Light lemonade.

Hargraves said many individuals, churches and groups who contributed to the campaign.

"The people of Gurdon need to be thanked," she said.

Others around the area and across the nation have done similar projects with similar results. Gurdon 4-H'ers collected snack food to send overseas. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7516 in Clark County has also gathered phone cards for distribution overseas. A California teenager is accepting used CDs and DVDs to send to soldiers.

But what does it really mean to the servicemen and women who receive the donations?

Hargraves said McGill sent a letter of thanks to the church, describing the living conditions and talking about the reason the gifts are so appreciated. According to McGill's letter, "It doesn't really matter what you send, someone will use it and it feels good to know you support us."

The rest of McGill's letter, dated June 18, 2004, reads:

"Dear Ms. Hargrave and FUMC Family,

"Thank you so much for all of the socks you sent to my battalion. I received one box several days ago and then the last three came yesterday. I distributed the socks throughout the battalion. It is amazing how quickly they disappeared. It was like ants on candy. When the soldiers heard there were free socks available, you would have thought they were barefoot. You put smiles on many faces. They were all very appreciative of me, but I told them to thank the people of Gurdon and the Methodist Church. Next month, you may want to do socks again. I am sure they would not go to waste. Soldiers could also use hygiene products, i.e. toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, foot powder, lotion, wet wipes, shaving cream, etc. Also consider packages of powdered drink mixes. We have Gatorade, but you might send Kool-Aid or Hi-C, etc. It doesn't really matter what you send, someone will use it and it feels good to know you support us.

"Please know that your prayers and support are not going unnoticed. We appreciate everything you and many other churches, organizations and individuals are doing for us. The support has been wonderful throughout the state.

"I never thought I would need your prayers because I had gone to war, much less need them twice. Even though I am back in Iraq, this one is different from Desert Storm. We have much better food and a bed inside a trailer instead of a cot in the back of a truck or in a tent. We have running water, TVs, pool tables, Internet and a weight room. We even have a small swimming pool. I haven't been to the pool because I don't want to fight the crowd, but some soldiers get to enjoy it. With all of that in mind, the living conditions are much better this time around. The hardest difference is the soldiers who have fallen. During Desert Storm, the only loss my unit suffered was a private who shot himself in the foot. This time the death toll has been much greater in my unit. On April 24, we had an incoming rocket that killed four, seriously injured six and gave minor injuries to about 20. That was a very difficult time for our entire unit. We lost some great friends and soldiers that day. Hopefully, we will not see any more losses, but the danger is always there. Please, continue to pray for us and also the Iraqi citizens.

"Sometimes it seems like yesterday that I was ringing handbells, going to youth group and being an acolyte. Other times it seems like it has been forever. One thing for sure, I always think of you as great friends and family.

"God Bless,

"Robert

"P.S. Tell J.K. that we have real toilets and even toilet paper."

To join in the donations through the First United Methodist Church, call the church at 353-4469, Hargraves at 353-2847 or Dodie Blanton at 353-6517.