Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Anishka Calder | Master Sgt. Ylonda M. Jackson, the non-commissioned officer-in-charge of chaplain's...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Anishka J. Fulton
1st Sustainment Command (Theater) Public Affairs Office
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Soldiers of the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) who do not receive mail on a regular basis have something to look forward to weekly. The chaplain's office of the 1st TSC, in collaboration with Any Soldier Inc., is ensuring that each Soldier in the unit has the opportunity to receive personal hygiene and comfort items on a regular basis.
Any Soldier Inc. was founded in August 2003 by a non-commissioned officer while he was deployed in the Kirkuk area of Iraq. He noticed that some of his Soldiers were not receiving mail, and through a family venture, he started receiving increased mail for not only himself, but also for troops who didn't receive any on a regular basis.
The mail he received that was addressed to "Attention Any Soldier," he gave to Soldiers who didn't receive mail. Today, Any Soldier not only helps Soldiers, but has extended to all branches of the armed forces.
Master Sgt. Ylonda M. Jackson, the non-commissioned officer-in-charge of chaplain's assistants for the 1st TSC, is a contact for Any Soldier, and has been providing comfort items to Soldiers in the command since their deployment mid-June.
"I went online to the website when I first got here. I gave them a list of the items that the troops would need while deployed over here," said Jackson, a 37 year-old native of Detroit. "I looked at the bigger picture. I knew a lot of Soldiers didn't know about Any Soldier, so instead of focusing on an individual, I took into consideration the whole 1st TSC."
The items that are sent to the Soldiers not only allow them to save money here and there, but the occasional letter accompanying the care package serves as a source of encouragement.
"It made me feel good when Jackson came and offered me some items from the wall lockers," said Sgt. Sheena M. Harris, an administrative assistant from 1st TSC, and a native of Atlantic City, N.J. "That brightened my day because nobody sends me mail. I read one of the letters that was sent with the packages and it is very encouraging to know that we are in the thoughts and prayers of the people back home."
Soldiers go in and out of the chaplain's office to take advantage of the items. The packages serve as a means to get Soldiers into the chaplain's office to sit and have a word or two with the chaplain or his assistants.
"The bottom line is we give Soldiers an excuse to come by ... and nobody thinks twice about it," said Chaplain (Maj.) Raymond E. Moore Jr., a staff chaplain for 1st TSC. "It is a nice ministry we use to draw people in. It gives Soldiers reason to come in without drawing attention to them."
"Sometimes people are dealing with issues and are afraid to come over here. We are here to provide spiritual guidance and spiritual fitness," said Jackson. "The items that are sent bring the Soldiers here to blow off steam, to get a break from work and to sometimes open up about their issues. That's the intent."
Items sent in the packages include personal hygiene products, snacks, magazines and DVDs. These items are welcomed by Soldiers, but still, many of them are happy just to know that they are in someone's thoughts.
"I love my country and I appreciate the fact that there are people who support us and our enduring mission," said Pvt. Winfred L. Cowan, a native of Lima, Ohio. "It is a morale booster. It gives me added reason to get up and accomplish the mission daily."
Spc. Tabitha Henry, a native of Chicago, was effusive in thanking the people who took the time, effort and money to send troops care packages.
"I think that it's great that this organization is supporting Soldiers and reminding us that we are always in their thoughts, and that we are continuously being prayed for," said Henry. "We all need that extra boost to keep us going, because we all go through issues at times, especially being away from family and friends. I appreciate all that is being done to make this deployment less stressful."
Whether it is a package of needed items, or just a little note to express gratitude, the Soldiers of the 1st TSC are grateful for just about anything that helps to brighten their day. The work of the organizations who give support to the troops deployed in support of Operations Iraqi/Enduring Freedom does not go unnoticed by the Soldiers, Harris said.
Jackson had some final thoughts about supporting the troops and the way of life of the American people.
"It's important to support our troops and show you care. "We are someone's mother, father, son, daughter, brother and sister. I think it goes back to the Soldier's creed. We support the way of life of the American people, so support us in trying to accomplish that mission."
| Date Taken: | 10.26.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2007 14:59 |
| Story ID: | 13369 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 535 |
| Downloads: | 498 |
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