April 2003 - Deployment Hits Home Hearts Go Out as Troops Depart Although we read about it every day and see it at the forefront of newscasts every night, it is difficult for many of us, sheltered by the protective bubble of our busy lives, to grasp the full impact of the war efforts in the Middle East – a place where physical distance makes it easier for us to feel removed from a frightening and undesirable situation. Regardless of whether we support our country’s war efforts, U.S. citizens should unite in supporting our soldiers, who are committed to protecting the freedoms upon which this nation was founded. Most willingly leave behind the comforts of home and those they hold dear to embark on an arduous mission from which there may be no return. At press time, more than a quarter of a million troops, a naval armada and approximately 1,000 combat aircraft were positioned in the Persian Gulf area awaiting President Bush’s orders to strike Iraq. Thousands of those troops, representing South Carolina’s largest deployment in 60 years, left behind loved ones right here in the Lowcountry and surrounding areas in March. They embraced their teary spouses, reassured their children and departed with prayers in their hearts and patriotic hopes for a speedy resolution and return home.

Gone but not forgotten Many locals have banded together to garner support for deployed troops and their families. Their generosity is a reminder not only of depth of human kindness, but of the importance of not taking even the smallest of life’s pleasures for granted. Mary Briggs, executive principal of Hilton Head Elementary School, said her school created a letter-writing and care package program, “Hearts for Heroes,” to bring everyone together. She said, “The children have a good understanding of what is happening and are eager to do something to help.” Said Jamie Pickney, former principal of Bluffton Elementary and new principal of the Okatie School, “We needed to do something, to show support, to get the word out that this is real.” Bluffton Elementary, like other area schools, is recognizing children whose families have had members deployed and has offered support through the creation of their own letterwriting and care package program, Project P.R.O.T.E.C.T (Patriots Responding Overseas To Effectively Control Terrorism). Pickney’s own son is nearing his 18th birthday, so enlistment issues are not far from her worried mind. “This (war) affects everyone differently, but we are all impacted by it,” she said. “We try to help the kids understand what is happening and send letters to deployed troops to show that we are behind them and thinking of them.” Classrooms with students that have had family members deployed are adorned with a blue star banner. Letters have been sent, and care packages filled with treats are sent once per month. Donna Thomas, mother of elementary student Cheyenne, is praying for the safe return of both her brother and husband She said, “Cheyenne misses her dad and uncle, but the program has helped. We see a lot of people pulling together and it means a lot.” Bess and Fred (Andy Anderson, residents of Sun City (pictured on p. 59), know better than most how much deployed soldiers need and desire contact with the land they left behind. Bess said, “Most of them would be thrilled to get just a small note, from anyone, to let them know someone is thinking of the and pulling for them.” In addition to the thousands of Christmas cards, Valentine’s cards and letters Bess and Fred have sent, with the assistance of the Sun City Veterans Club and area churches, they have sent countless packages as part of their “Treats for Troops” program. The Andersons have been flooded with letters of appreciation from soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, Kuwait and other regions. “They love the letters and cookies, but we’ve gotten a great deal of thanks for the moist towlettes.” said Bess. In response to blizzard-like sandstorms and complaints of chapped lips, Bess sent towlettes and chapsticks, at her own expense. She has written numerous letters to manufacturers and vendors requesting donations, with little or no success. She said, “For all these guys (soldiers) are doing and going through over there, it would be nice if someone could step up and help out – even if just to donate a few dollars to help with postage.” As U.S. citizens, we have so much to be thankful for. Regardless of how hectic our daily lives become, freedom seems worth taking a moment to jot down a few words of support or forgoing that extra latte in order to supply a fellow American, defending our freedom and way of life, with a means of wiping the sand from his eyes. Whether our own loved ones or those of our neighbors are deployed, the effects of war impact everyone, overseas and in our own community. The Andersons send their packages to a public affairs contact, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Hank Eylicio, who then distributes the goods to various locations where servicemen help themselves. His first response, written December 9, 2002, painted a startling and effective picture for those who have difficulty comprehending what troops endure. Homesick, but hopeful Their living conditions are a far cry from the Ritz Carlton, and isolated soldiers are thankful to receive any communication from home. Some describe blizzard-like sandstorms and walking a city block, while mindful of being in a heavily mined area, to use the shower or portable toilets. Everyday conveniences such as malls, microwaves and fastfood restaurants have become longed-for luxuries. Troops sleep in tents packed into old airport facilities, eat a multitude of MREs, the military’s famous “Meals Ready to Eat,” and spend their time either preparing for missions or recovering from them. It A devoted soldier offers his sons a reassuring embrace and comforting words as he prepares to depart a Beaufort military base to join the war efforts in the Middle East. It may surprise you that, in spite of these most undesirable conditions, many of the soldiers participating in current war efforts enlisted willingly. Here is an excerpt from one soldier’s letter to local Bess Anderson: ...”Many people died on Sept. 11, 2001. One of them was Maj. Cole Hogan, my former team leader, who died while working that day at the Pentagon. The first serviceman killed in action here in Afghanistan, Nathan Chapman, was also my good friend and fellow teammate. They both gave their country the ultimate sacrifice, and they are heroes. My fellow teammates and I have always been proud of our country and realized what freedom was all about. When there are those who challenge America’s freedom, there will always be those who stand up and defend her. Take a moment to look at our flag and realize for yourself that we are living in the greatest country in the world. Remember every time you see the red, white and blue and hear our national anthem, stand and place your hand on your heart and respect those who have laid down their lives so you can have the freedom to choose.” – SFC Hank Eylicio