Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
By Lisa Hicks, Phoenix Staff,
Copyright © 2004 CNO/Phoenix
I was having lunch with my dad one day and seated to the side of us was a gentleman in a wheelchair. He was wearing a hat with a Purple Heart and the date1945 stitched into the front. He too, was enjoying lunch with family. As we were leaving, dad clapped the gentleman on the shoulder and said, "Thank you sir" as he walked by. The man was startled, and I was a little embarrassed."You can't just go around slapping people you don't know on the back, say ‘Thank you' and walk away," I said.
"He didn't know me when he earned that Purple Heart, but he went and did it for me anyway," dad replied. "It's not much, but sometimes saying 'Thank you' is the best you can do."
Afterwards, in the car, dad told me how during World War II, granpa Hicks saved his gasoline ration coupons by leaving the truck parked and taking the horse and wagon out. Granpa gave out his coupons to boys home on leave as his way of saying ‘Thank you'.
A recent email from Rogan Noble, Cherokee Nation Office of Veteran's Affairs, made me remember that day with dad. The Veteran's Office was accepting items to ship to the troops in Iraq. The e-mail reminded me that I meant to gather some things together. I just hadn't gotten around to it. Since I'm not the sort to go randomly slapping veterans on the back and saying ‘Thank you', I figure I can at least round up some items I take for granted and have them shipped to the desert for someone who will appreciate a little kindness from home.
Donations may be dropped off at the VA office in the Cherokee Nation Annex, Room 138, through the end of the year. According to Noble, troops have requested items that are travel size and to remember that they have to pack that stuff around, so if an item can fit in a pocket it's perfect. Packing your items in zip-lock type bags will protect your package contents should a product open, break, or melt.
Travel size tissue packets are recommended packing material because they stay dry and can be used for toilet paper, which is in short supply in many areas. Read labels before enclosing packaged meat products. Pork and pork by-products are not allowed to be shipped to the Middle East. That includes many "Slim Jims." For specific restrictions to an APO/FPO address, visit www.usps.gov. You can also call 1-800-ASK-USPS or consult your local post office. The Military Postal Service Agency's toll free number 1-800-810-6098.
If you wish to mail a package directly to a friend or loved one, the U.S. Post Office offers the following advice:
* Select a box strong enough to protect the contents and large enough to accommodate cushioning. If reusing a box, cover all previous labels and markings with a heavy black marker or adhesive labels.
* Cushioning the contents with newspaper is a novel way to send news from home. Styrofoam and bubble wrap are also good choices.
* Occasionally a battery powered item such as a radio or electric razor will turn itself on during shipment. Be sure to remove and wrap the batteries separately.
* Tape the opening of the box and reinforce all seams with 2" wide tape. Use clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape or paper tape.
* Occasionally improperly wrapped packages fall apart during shipment. Including a card inside the package that lists the sender's and recipient's addresses along with a description of the contents helps in collecting items that have fallen open during processing.
For other ideas, there are many organizations supporting the troops in many ways. The Department of Defense offers a list at: Defend America-Support Troops.
You may also honor warriors past and present with the donation of an inscribed brick at the Cherokee Nation Warriors Memorial. There is an order form in this month's Cherokee Phoenix.
In the meantime, you may also say a quick ‘Thank you' electronically by visiting Defend America Enter your name and city to be signed to "America's thank you note," which will be delivered to U.S. service members.
So until we have to save coupons for gas, I'm sure some batteries, books, snacks, wet wipes and tissues will serve as a small way we can say ‘Thank you' to our men and women serving away from home.
Lisa Hicks has served as the graphic artist for the Cherokee Phoenix for nearly two years. She earned her degree in mass communication from the University of Tulsa.
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