The first one hundred days of President Obama's time in office marked significant changes and a need for action on many dire issues facing our nation. With the pending collapses of our financial institutions and other major industries, “bailout” and “repression” have been the buzzwords, and the failing economy has been front and center on the majority of American's minds. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have taken a backseat to the more critical condition of financial security and safety at home, at least as portrayed in the media.
However, with Mr. Obama's call for a surge of several thousand troops to Afghanistan by the end of 2009, certainly on a local level, Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom will resurface as a main priority. According to Sgt. Sean Conroy, part of the F Company which falls under the larger 86th Mountain Infantry Brigade, “sometime by the end of this year – and the date is still up in the air - a contingency will be deploying from out of the armory here in town. The entire brigade [186th Brigade Support Battalion] will be heading to Afghanistan.”
Southington soon will be sending its own to help meet the country's objectives, and support those currently serving overseas. As Sgt. Conroy explains, “It really can be anyone who goes out with the brigade: your neighbor, a relative, a friend. An average person wouldn't know who are serving until they are about to be deployed. That's the thing about the National Guard.”
With the national agenda making a real impact on the town, “it is always important to support our troops and their families, but especially now,” states Rachael Wache, Southington's president of the American Legion Auxiliary, Kiltonic Unit 72. The wife of a 3 times past Commander, Philip Wache, Ms. Wache knows what the support, time, and comfort given by those in the community really means to not just the soldiers, but to their families as well.
It is for this reason that the American Legion Auxiliary has teamed up for the second time with Sculptures Salon of Southington, to send care packages to our troops overseas, in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
Organizing the care package drive is Maria Fusco, a stylist from Sculptures Salon. “Two years ago we worked with Rachael [Ms. Wache] and we sent out so many boxes. It was overwhelming; it was wonderful. That's why I am excited to organize the care package drive again. For every item we get from the community, and a list can be found at our salon, we will donate 10 cents per item to Relay for Life. And on June 7th, which is the date for our 8th Annual Relay for Life Cut-a-Thon, twenty cents per item for our care packages will be donated. It really is a win-win situation for everybody. ”
The desire to organize such a big event stems from Ms. Fusco's understanding of community. “I have very close friends in Afghanistan,” she states. “A few girls [stylists and Sculptures Salon employees] in here have friends who have been deployed. Also, we have clients whose friends and family have or are currently serving. Doing this helps us feel like we are doing our part to help them out and keep their spirits up.”
These sentiments echo Barbara Pasha's, vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary, Kiltonic Unit 72. “A care package is just a drop in the bucket of what we can do, but things like this that let them know we remember them really, I think, keeps their spirits strong. It helps them get through one more day, knowing they haven't been forgotten.”
May 16th will add another drop into the support bucket, as the 7th Annual Touch a Truck, co-sponsored by both the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Southington National Guard Armory, will be held from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m at Derynoski School. As Ms. Pasha explains, “It is open to the community, and all proceeds will benefit children and youth organizations in town, including organizations that help support and meet the needs of families who have parents on active duty. We really are hoping to have a good turn-out, and though I don't want to give anything away, the armory is trying to provide us with a big surprise that Touch a Truck has not had in past years.”
No matter what we can attend or provide, every little bit counts. As SSG Jay Larsen, who will be deploying to Iraq, has said in terms of community support, “I really suggest that efforts be concentrated on soldiers by letting them know that what they are doing is ok, and maybe set up a support group. Each deployed unit will have a family support group, and by connecting with them and finding out what their needs are, the community can assist both the deployed soldier and those family members still at home.”
He goes onto say in email, in response to what support he feels soldiers need from their community most, “In general. . .I should say the greatest support is prayer. Prayer that those who sacrifice their time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom and the hardships endured by them and their families while that soldier defends our way of life either at home or by trying to assist others outside our borders, asking that they make it home safe and healthy back to those that care for them.”
With the deadline for deployment approaching, and with the various events and organizations offering ways to help us show support for our troops, it can be said that Southington cares.