thedrifter
05-08-08, 08:15 AM
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Marine family 'adopts' Iraqis
Cuba City pair gathers school supplies and clothing for kids
By CRAIG D. REBER TH staff writer
CUBA CITY, Wis. -- When the extended Banfield family gathers Sunday to observe Mother's Day, Merrill "Mert" Banfield's thoughts will be thousands of miles away.
After reading letters sent home by their son, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ben Banfield, Mert and her husband, James "Skip" Banfield, have unofficially "adopted" an Iraqi school.
Ben, a 1999 Cuba City High School graduate, is serving his second tour in Iraq. He returned to Iraq in late March.
"The way Ben described it, think of the poorest person you know and take everything away from them," Mert said. "That's what it is like."
So the Banfields, who are veteran necessity (i.e. care package) senders, acted.
They've purchased the basics -- pencils, pens, crayons, chalk, glue, nonelectric/battery operated pencil sharpeners, paper, notebooks and backpacks.
"It helps the Marines establish goodwill with the locals," Skip said. "The more they do that, the people will tell the Marines where the bad guys are and (it) improves their security."
News You Can Use
Donations to assist Merrill "Mert" Banfield's efforts to assist Iraqi citizens and Marines serving in her son Ben's unit can be sent to: Banfield's Beauty Bar, 101 S. Main St., Cuba City, Wis., 53807
Mert contacted officials at St. Rose Catholic News You Can Use
Donations to assist Merrill "Mert" Banfield's efforts to assist Iraqi citizens and Marines serving in her son Ben's unit can be sent to: Banfield's Beauty Bar, 101 S. Main St., Cuba City, Wis., 53807
School and the Cuba City public
schools, who gave her the OK to collect school supplies that are normally discarded at the end of the academic year.
"Ben says it doesn't matter," Mert said. "What we throw away, they can survive a year on."
It isn't only school supplies the Banfields collect. They send Ziploc plastic bags full of sugar packets and bubblegum.
"The kids go crazy over it," Skip said.
There's clothing, too, for the youngsters -- T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops and, in the autumn, sweaters and sweatshirts.
"All ages, all sizes," Mert said.
Iraqi citizens aren't the only benefactors of the Banfields' generosity. Mert "adopted" about 15 Marines in Ben's unit. The Banfields ensure each Marine receives at least one care package a month. The goodies range from foot cream and socks to dried beef snacks, including jerky.
"It's not like they can run down to Wal-Mart," Skip said.
Mert, who operates Banfield's Beauty Bar in Cuba City, thinks Ben, now a noncommissioned officer (NCO), "really likes" taking care of the other Marines. The family, as well as the community, assists Ben's efforts.
Skip asserts what the Banfields do isn't anything out of the ordinary. He said thousands of other Americans are doing something to support the country's armed forces.
"It's what we do," Mert said. "That's kind of how we feel as parents, its our job. Even if people don't donate, just say a prayer, for the Marines and for the Iraqis."
Ellie
Marine family 'adopts' Iraqis
Cuba City pair gathers school supplies and clothing for kids
By CRAIG D. REBER TH staff writer
CUBA CITY, Wis. -- When the extended Banfield family gathers Sunday to observe Mother's Day, Merrill "Mert" Banfield's thoughts will be thousands of miles away.
After reading letters sent home by their son, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ben Banfield, Mert and her husband, James "Skip" Banfield, have unofficially "adopted" an Iraqi school.
Ben, a 1999 Cuba City High School graduate, is serving his second tour in Iraq. He returned to Iraq in late March.
"The way Ben described it, think of the poorest person you know and take everything away from them," Mert said. "That's what it is like."
So the Banfields, who are veteran necessity (i.e. care package) senders, acted.
They've purchased the basics -- pencils, pens, crayons, chalk, glue, nonelectric/battery operated pencil sharpeners, paper, notebooks and backpacks.
"It helps the Marines establish goodwill with the locals," Skip said. "The more they do that, the people will tell the Marines where the bad guys are and (it) improves their security."
News You Can Use
Donations to assist Merrill "Mert" Banfield's efforts to assist Iraqi citizens and Marines serving in her son Ben's unit can be sent to: Banfield's Beauty Bar, 101 S. Main St., Cuba City, Wis., 53807
Mert contacted officials at St. Rose Catholic News You Can Use
Donations to assist Merrill "Mert" Banfield's efforts to assist Iraqi citizens and Marines serving in her son Ben's unit can be sent to: Banfield's Beauty Bar, 101 S. Main St., Cuba City, Wis., 53807
School and the Cuba City public
schools, who gave her the OK to collect school supplies that are normally discarded at the end of the academic year.
"Ben says it doesn't matter," Mert said. "What we throw away, they can survive a year on."
It isn't only school supplies the Banfields collect. They send Ziploc plastic bags full of sugar packets and bubblegum.
"The kids go crazy over it," Skip said.
There's clothing, too, for the youngsters -- T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops and, in the autumn, sweaters and sweatshirts.
"All ages, all sizes," Mert said.
Iraqi citizens aren't the only benefactors of the Banfields' generosity. Mert "adopted" about 15 Marines in Ben's unit. The Banfields ensure each Marine receives at least one care package a month. The goodies range from foot cream and socks to dried beef snacks, including jerky.
"It's not like they can run down to Wal-Mart," Skip said.
Mert, who operates Banfield's Beauty Bar in Cuba City, thinks Ben, now a noncommissioned officer (NCO), "really likes" taking care of the other Marines. The family, as well as the community, assists Ben's efforts.
Skip asserts what the Banfields do isn't anything out of the ordinary. He said thousands of other Americans are doing something to support the country's armed forces.
"It's what we do," Mert said. "That's kind of how we feel as parents, its our job. Even if people don't donate, just say a prayer, for the Marines and for the Iraqis."
Ellie