Picture the daughter of a Limestone County soldier receiving a small teddy bear on Christmas morning that plays a message from her daddy, who is a world away in Iraq.
She would probably play the message over and over, just to hear the voice she misses.
You could help make this scene possible for the children of about 60 local and area soldiers. All you have to do is donate a small amount of money to buy a talking teddy bear for a member of the 203rd Military Police Battalion, said Amanda Bailey, FRG chairperson with the 203rd.
About 85 soldiers from Athens, Limestone and other Alabama counties are currently stationed with the 203rd in Basra. They are training the Iraqi police for their eventual takeover in the region. The unit's departure from Athens this summer marked the first time a local guard unit deployed overseas since 1950, when the 1343rd Battalion left for the Korean Conflict.
Whatever you can muster, the 203rd support staff needs your help now so they have time to buy the bears, send the recorders to Iraq — which takes two weeks — and get them back before Christmas.
Each bear costs $3 and includes a recording device that would be sent to Iraq — so a soldier mom or dad could record a message — then returned and reattached to a bear for their children, Bailey said.
With a little more — around $20 — you could buy a ham or turkey for a soldier's family for the holidays, she said.
Those supporting the 203rd also want to raise enough money to buy and fill Christmas stockings for the troops. They could use the old, artificial Christmas tree taking up space in your attic, if you can spare it, so the soldiers have something on which to hang their stockings.
So far, donations have been scarce. Perhaps because of the recession and perhaps because people want to help but forget to do it. You don't have to support the war to give. Just give to support our local soldiers.
In his October newsletter, Lt.Col. Chuck Buxton explained how tough the holidays can be for soldiers.
“Over the last couple of days, a number of our soldiers were given the opportunity to give holiday ‘shout outs” to family and friends at home,” Buxton said. “Some of these became very emotional for our soldiers, as the realism that they would not be home for the holidays hit home. I am asking for your continued support of our soldiers, especially with the holiday season just a few short weeks away. I know that it is a difficult time for the soldiers and their families. For some of you, this may be the first time that you have been separated for the holidays. Our support base needs to remain strong for our soldiers and their families; it is critical for their continued success.”
If you would like to donate to the 203rd, send a check or money order to:
FRG 203rd
28514 Countryside Circle
Ardmore, AL, 35739
For more information about supporting our troops, call Amanda at (256) 604-4366 or send e-mail to frg203rd@yahoo.com.
Any amount you can afford would help make the holidays better for our soldiers overseas.
Local News
Program supports soldiers overseas
- Local News
-
- Holiday closings
-
Memorial Day ceremony slated for Monday
The event, presented by American Legion Post 49 with assistance from the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Limestone County Event Center on Pryor Street.
-
Tornado artifacts sought for exhibit
Scientists at the National Weather Service in Huntsville are asking Limestone County residents to contribute to a historical and educational display about the tornado outbreak of April 27, 2011.
-
Schools chief is 'ecstatic' over job
Board members cited Sisk’s experience in handling personnel issues, his working for a large school system, his outgoing personality and his willingness to help obtain money to buy laptop computers for students as evidence of his promise.
-
'Significant' local arrests net drugs, cash
Limestone County deputies made what Sheriff Mike Blakely termed “significant arrests” with a Friday evening drug bust of a house at 817 Westmoreland Street.
-
BREAKING: Reward offered in Limestone burglary
-
MORE STORIES: Click LOCAL NEWS bar at top left
Click "Local News" bar at top left for more stories
-
Bills in meth trash lead to arrest
Trash included the portions of phone and cable bills that led investigators to the address of 43-year-old Larry M. Mason of Tuscumbia.
-
Space Camp celebrating 30th anniversary
The center is hosting a weekend of family-friendly activities and a reunion of Space Camp alumni on June 15.
-
Community colleges seeing declining enrollment
American Association of Community Colleges spokeswoman Norma Kent says changes in the economy are to blame.
- More Local News Headlines
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
