thedrifter
08-26-07, 08:47 AM
A model program to help troops
August 26, 2007 12:35 am
By CATHY DYSON
Like a lot of people who put together model tanks and planes, Ben Kristy bought more kits than he ever assembled.
He has found a good use for all those boxes of plastic parts and decals.
Kristy plans to send at least 150 kits to the troops in Iraq. About 70 are from his personal collection--purchased before he became a father and had to spend his money on other things.
Others are extras from the National Museum of the Marine Corps, where he's the aviation curator.
Kristy is asking other interested modelers to join in the drive, which will benefit the Baghdad Hobby Club.
The club distributes models and supplies to Marines and airmen, soldiers and sailors at six bases in Iraq.
The chance to put together a model of a B-17 bomber or a Sherman tank is a stress reliever, said Kirby Miller, a Navy captain with the Multi-National Corps staff near Baghdad International Airport.
Miller has helped distribute models--and he has put together a few himself.
"It's just a good escape," he wrote in an e-mail. "It gives us something to do other than work. There aren't holidays, days off or even a lot of free time over here."
Through Sept. 15, donations of unassembled plastic model kits of any type and scale along with supplies--including acrylic paints only--can be dropped off at the Quantico museum.
The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Baghdad Hobby Club was started in 2004 and is managed by Lt. Col. George Salerno.
Miller said service members are always surprised when people back home--especially strangers--do something special for them.
"It's really humbling to have everyday people take the time, effort and money to think of the guys doing the heavy lifting over here," he said.
Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com
Ellie
August 26, 2007 12:35 am
By CATHY DYSON
Like a lot of people who put together model tanks and planes, Ben Kristy bought more kits than he ever assembled.
He has found a good use for all those boxes of plastic parts and decals.
Kristy plans to send at least 150 kits to the troops in Iraq. About 70 are from his personal collection--purchased before he became a father and had to spend his money on other things.
Others are extras from the National Museum of the Marine Corps, where he's the aviation curator.
Kristy is asking other interested modelers to join in the drive, which will benefit the Baghdad Hobby Club.
The club distributes models and supplies to Marines and airmen, soldiers and sailors at six bases in Iraq.
The chance to put together a model of a B-17 bomber or a Sherman tank is a stress reliever, said Kirby Miller, a Navy captain with the Multi-National Corps staff near Baghdad International Airport.
Miller has helped distribute models--and he has put together a few himself.
"It's just a good escape," he wrote in an e-mail. "It gives us something to do other than work. There aren't holidays, days off or even a lot of free time over here."
Through Sept. 15, donations of unassembled plastic model kits of any type and scale along with supplies--including acrylic paints only--can be dropped off at the Quantico museum.
The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Baghdad Hobby Club was started in 2004 and is managed by Lt. Col. George Salerno.
Miller said service members are always surprised when people back home--especially strangers--do something special for them.
"It's really humbling to have everyday people take the time, effort and money to think of the guys doing the heavy lifting over here," he said.
Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com
Ellie