Soldier’s appreciation hits home

Carla Street, an ex-military wife and the mother of a sailor, has devoted herself to supporting our military troops. The Spirit Lake woman sat at a table in her hometown on July 4, handing out “Carla’s Ideas for Support,” and sharing her enthusiasm.

“Most Americans support our troops with silent support,” says Street. “They put magnets on their cars, fly the flag in front of their place, or wear a supportive hat or T-shirt. While this support means a lot, it’s overlooked when protesters become vocal, leaving our military personnel thinking negatively.”

She believes most of us would do something if we just knew what to do, how to say it, and where to send it.

“The most important thing is to do something – anything,” says Street. “You can’t heal them, you can’t fix what’s going on, but you can give them something positive to think about.”

Hometown support is vital, according to Street, and her word is spreading. With help from the Chamber of Commerce, the VFW, a Grandmother’s Club, and others, four Spirit Lake soldiers are now receiving thanks from their community. She believes every community has soldiers who would appreciate something from home, and would like to see them start support projects of their own.

Street says her message is nonpolitical. “It’s just flat out, we support ya.”

She says it doesn’t matter whether one sends a card, writes a letter, emails a message, sews a quilt, sends a package, or makes a donation to a support organization – anything from home will be appreciated.

Street would like us all to keep those flags flying and those yellow ribbons stuck to our cars, but she would also like us to do a little more, even if that means just saying thank you. “It’s important that if you can’t do anything else, when you see a military person, look at them and say thanks – it’ll mean a lot to them.”

I have a nephew serving his second tour in Iraq and have only ever sent him one package – and that during his first tour. His brother and his father have also returned home safely from their service in Iraq, both without any support from me during their stay.

It took meeting Carla Street on the Fourth of July to make me realize my silent support of them wasn’t enough. So, I e-mailed my nephew to say hi and ask him for a list of what troops over there want. His reply, received July 12:

Hi! It’s nice to hear from you!

Sometimes I feel like I’m the disappearing, anti-social member of our family, so it’s nice when someone tracks me down. As far as what the troops appreciate, everything. Sometimes it’s not even the item received, it’s the thought that someone cares about you, and what you’re going through.

A lesson our country should have learned during the Vietnam War is that, despite your political views, whether you agree with the war or not, the troops still need your support. We are here because it is our job. All of us are sons, daughters, nieces, nephews to someone. A little love and appreciation goes a long way.

People say a picture is worth a thousand words. In this place that fact is illustrated. Many soldiers, when receiving a photo from back home, are taken away from here, at least for a moment. However brief, that moment causes a drastic increase in morale, affecting both attitude and energy levels. It’s contagious too. Often times, after getting that picture, the next step is to show it to everyone you know. They’re just about guaranteed to smile, whether at the picture itself, or at very least, it’s effect on the recipient.

As far as day-to-day items, we are provided shops where we can buy hygiene items and other things important to daily life. I guess my point is that, whatever you choose to send, it will never be the wrong thing. Morale comes in all sizes of envelopes and boxes.

Carla Street is right – hometown support is important; but Gabe said it best, “…whatever you choose to send, it will never be the wrong thing.”

Contact Street if you would like to support her efforts in Spirit Lake, or start a troop support group in your community. She’ll help you find out how to mail a package, find addresses for any of the Web sites mentioned, or find a soldier who would appreciate knowing someone over here is thinking about him.

Her contact information is Crlstrt5@msn.com or 623-2562.