Stryker Brigade News

I founded Operation Gratitude in March 2003 during the build-up to the war in Iraq for two purposes: First and foremost, to raise morale among troops and bring smiles to their faces by letting them know that the folks back home do care about them; and second, as a way for civilians all over the United States to show their support and appreciation to our courageous service members deployed overseas. For more background details, letters, pictures and news coverage, please visit our website: www.opgratitude.com

To date, we have sent over 7500 care packages addressed to individually named troops. We obtain names either directly from the service members, from their buddies (either in their unit or others), or from their loved ones (mostly through the secure forms on our website). In the last few months, during our Holiday Drive, the vast majority of names were sent to us directly from senior personnel who had seen the positive impact our program was having on the men and women in their command. For example, Brig. Gen Hertling, through LTC Brenda Andrews, of the 1st Armored Division was responsible for providing close to 1000 names, all of whom were sent packages by Operation Gratitude.

While this organization started in my home and operated exclusively from there for six months, our rapid growth required a larger facility. Last fall, the California Army National Guard, 746th QM BN in Van Nuys, California (close to my home) formally adopted Operation Gratitude as part of their support mission. Now, all our warehousing and assembling takes place at their Armory. SSG Elizabeth Cowie (my liaison there) and I personally observe sorting of donations and the packaging by the volunteers.

The packages contain an assortment of items: snack foods, toiletries, entertainment items (DVDs, CDs, phone cards, disposable cameras, playing cards, t-shirts, etc.), as well as cards and letters from appreciative students and adults all over the country. (I read every letter that is sent to us for the troops before placing it in a package.) All the contents are donated by individuals, organizations or companies that donate their own products. I am always happy to learn about new items that would be useful or fun for the troops and try to solicit the appropriate companies to obtain them.

Operation Gratitude is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All monies donated are fully tax deductible and are used entirely to pay for shipping and postage costs. Staffing is all volunteer.

We are planning two large campaigns this year: A Patriotic Drive that will kickoff over the Memorial Day weekend to reach the troops for July 4th and then a Holiday Drive that will commence the Veteran's weekend in November and continue through the end of the year. My hope is to send up to 10,000 packages (or more if I receive more names) during each Drive. We will send a package to every service member whose name we receive; if they are in theatre during both drives, then we will be delighted to send packages both times. If a commander notes that a particular individual is not otherwise receiving any mail from home, we will be happy to send additional packages to that person in between the Drives.