thedrifter
11-20-06, 08:27 AM
Pilots group's packages to spread yule cheer
BY JEAN STARR
Times Correspondent
Close to 200 U.S. Marines will receive packages filled with goodies for Christmas thanks to the Porter County Pilots Association. Packages volunteers packed on Saturday will be mailed from Leroy to Al Asad, Iraq.
Cheryl Cope, of Crown Point, began organizing shipments to troops three years ago when her son-in-law, who was stationed in Iraq, advised her many Marines had not received any letters or packages in the eight months they were stationed.
"He e-mailed my daughter and asked if she knew anyone who would like to sponsor a soldier," Cope said. "This is our ninth mailing."
Tables set up inside one of the hangars at the airport were overflowing with snack foods, playing cards, crossword puzzle books and paperback novels. More than two dozen volunteers worked to fill, close, label and stack the boxes, which each cost $8.10 in postage to ship. The donated items were selected based on a wish list from the Marine unit.
Rollin and Antonia Flanagin came from St. John to help pack boxes. Rollin Flanagin served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Forces bombardment group, the first in U.S. military history to train for atomic warfare. The 87-year-old veteran said he doesn't remember receiving care packages while stationed in Utah and later on Tinian in the Mariana Islands, but felt the troops will enjoy the items packaged for Christmas.
Each package held a letter wishing its recipient a Merry Christmas and describing its donors as pilots, friends and neighbors who -- along with other listed organizations and businesses -- support them in their time so far away from home.
Ellie
BY JEAN STARR
Times Correspondent
Close to 200 U.S. Marines will receive packages filled with goodies for Christmas thanks to the Porter County Pilots Association. Packages volunteers packed on Saturday will be mailed from Leroy to Al Asad, Iraq.
Cheryl Cope, of Crown Point, began organizing shipments to troops three years ago when her son-in-law, who was stationed in Iraq, advised her many Marines had not received any letters or packages in the eight months they were stationed.
"He e-mailed my daughter and asked if she knew anyone who would like to sponsor a soldier," Cope said. "This is our ninth mailing."
Tables set up inside one of the hangars at the airport were overflowing with snack foods, playing cards, crossword puzzle books and paperback novels. More than two dozen volunteers worked to fill, close, label and stack the boxes, which each cost $8.10 in postage to ship. The donated items were selected based on a wish list from the Marine unit.
Rollin and Antonia Flanagin came from St. John to help pack boxes. Rollin Flanagin served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Forces bombardment group, the first in U.S. military history to train for atomic warfare. The 87-year-old veteran said he doesn't remember receiving care packages while stationed in Utah and later on Tinian in the Mariana Islands, but felt the troops will enjoy the items packaged for Christmas.
Each package held a letter wishing its recipient a Merry Christmas and describing its donors as pilots, friends and neighbors who -- along with other listed organizations and businesses -- support them in their time so far away from home.
Ellie