4th of July - In Gratitude - Remembering Freedom Isn't Free

Since our great country was founded there have always been  people who disagree.  Fortunately, since our country was formed so that we can be free, we have the freedom to disagree.  There is much in the news today regarding our involvement in Iraq.  Yet, whether you are for it or against it, there is common ground.  I think we can all agree that we support our troops, the brave men and women who serve to protect our freedom.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of joining with my best buddy and fellow ActiveRainer, Lynda Eisenmann, to support our troops in a very tangible way.  Lynda learned about an organization, Operation Gratitude, that was founded to send packages from the states to our men and women overseas.  When Lynda mentioned the upcoming packing day to me, I was quick to say, "just tell me when and where".  Well the when was yesterday.  The where was the Armory in Van Nuys, CA.  That's about a 2 ½ hour drive from where I live in South Orange County.  And, since it was all perfectly organized, all we had to do was show up and be willing to work.

When we arrived, the Armory had been transformed into a warehouse/shipping depot.  There were crates lining the perimeter of the building.  They were stuffed with everything from sunscreen, lotion, coffee, drink mixes, cookies, gum, candy, energy drink, batteries, breath strips and so many other welcome personal items from home.  Lynda and I worked near the end of the line where volunteers passed by with boxes that we dropped one of the items we distributed into each box (Lynda was on breath strips, I was on Chapstick) .  At the end, they were sealed and a handwritten label was affixed.

We worked without air conditioning where the temperature was probably in the high 90's.  There was a great mix from every generation from teens to retired folks.  Men, women, boys, girls.---all working cheerfully.  Some lively music was playing as background for the flurry of activity.  A line of volunteers kept making the circuit past all the volunteers who formed the stationary line of volunteers who emptied crate after crate of donated products to fill the boxes we'd ship out.  Through the line, fill up four boxes, keep them moving, shake them down to make room for more product, get to the end, turn in your boxes for taping and a mailing label, then back in line for four more boxes to fill..

Round and round and round, till we heard the announcement that 4,000 boxes had just left the loading area for the post office.  A cheer went up and we were pumped to do more.  More volunteers arrived for another shift.  And, the line began to move faster.  In about another hour and a half, 3,000 more boxes were packed and ready to go on the truck.  We were instructed to finish up the boxes that were started and clear our areas to make ready for Sunday's crew of volunteers.  Amazingly, it seemed that most of us were sad to stop working.  It was really quite amazing.  All those people that we had formed friendships with...Dick and Dottie, Rosie and her son Albert, Gail who missed her mom (also named Marlene), Tom, Ed, Jean, Joan, Anne, Ann, Anna, Ana...and the list went on.  People we had bonded with in a few short hours.  It was time to say goodbye...bittersweet.

As we finished up, one of the volunteers stepped to the microphone and said there was someone on a cell phone who wanted to talk with us.  The voice on the phone was a female officer calling from Iraq.  She told us how much they appreciated the work we were doing and what a great encouragement these boxes are to the troops.  She also gave us the weather report in Iraq---130 degrees.  Suddenly, the trickle of sweat creeping down the small of my back chilled my body and delivered a strong message.  You see, I was headed to the restroom to wash my face and hands with all the clean, fresh water I wanted.  Then, I'd be getting into a comfortable, air conditioned car to drive to one of my favorite restaurants for dinner with my best friend and enjoying an ice cold beer.  The sharp contrast between my life and this soldier's sure put it in clear perspective.  Bottom line - Lynda and I had a great day.  What we did was not even a blip on the radar compared to the sacrifice our troops are making for freedom.

If you are still with me dear reader, you are undoubtedly a patriot.  God bless you and may God continue to Bless America.  Remembering our heroes---Remembering that Freedom Isn't Free.Read more about Operation Gratitude at:

OPERATION GRATITUDE ~ Remembering those who serve...

Here are some photos that will give you a perspective of the Operation Gratitude packing day:

Thanks to Lynda Eisenmann for the update on the next volunteer weekend in Southern California: Next volunteer opportunity, the first weekend of our 2007 Holiday Drive will be Veteran's weekend, Nov 10-11. Additional week-ends yet to be confirmed with the National Guard. So mark your calendars!

7/18/2007 - Here's an update from Lynda Eisenmann (in the comments below) Just didn't want you to miss it!

I wanted you and others to know this:

I just got off the phone with Matt, he's a client of mine (you know Leslie's husband) who happens to be in Iraq. This tour (his second) is for 15 months, at this point he's not scheduled to return until 2/08. After talking for a while I asked what he could use over there and he told me a couple of things.

With that, I happened to mention that you and I had packed boxes for Operation Gratitude. With that he said joyfully, "I've received two of those myself and they're great!"  He also said, but mine was mailed from Encino" and said that's right, we drove there from Orange County. He thought that was a big deal, truth is, not for a minute compared to what they are doing for us. So I thought I'd pass this along to you, just to let you know that what we are doing here, really does make a difference to the men and women serving our country!

Please keep up the great work any way you can to support our troops!

Here's an update from Lynda Eisenmann ( comment included below)---Just wanted to be sure you got a chance to see it---Btw, as a reminder: For any Rainers in So. Cal. who may be interested in joining us in Nov. we are planning to pack Veteran's Day Week-end, 11/10 and 11/11. It would be wonderful to get a group together to meet at the facility in Van Nuys to volunteer our time. No doubt you know Marlene how rewarding this experience is personally. So for anyone  within 1 hour or 2 driving distance in Southern California, look for a reminder post about 2 weeks prior to the event. We can spend the day together supporting our troops   and lunch together mid-day. And not to worry, if you can't make it the whole day, half a day will work.