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Mom and Co-Workers Make a Difference for 172nd Soldiers

Nov-24-2005 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

Link to Full Article with Photos
Tracey Murray
Fort Wainwright PAO

LIVONIA, Mich. — Stephanie Julian was putting together a package to send to her son serving in Iraq in October when a co-worker asked about the items she had piled on her desk.

Julian had no idea mentioning this package to co-workers would have such a huge impact.

Many of her co-workers knew her son was serving in Iraq, and if they didn’t know, she said they may have followed her trail of tears.

This one package turned into something much bigger as word of mouth spread. Stephanie’s co-workers started offering and adding items to the package as the day went on.

Within a few days, the department chair and others of Rock Financial and Quicken Loans had formed a “Support Our Troops” committee. The department chair decided to match the amount of money raised for the care packages.

Sgt. Donovan Julian is a medic and lab technician assigned to the 172nd Brigade Support Battalion, but currently attached to the medics of the 4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment.

The department of just 70 people raised more than $1,500. It was enough for gifts not only for Julian, but his entire platoon.

“This is a generous company. We really rally around our own. I am very proud,” Stephanie said.

Another department paid for the shipping, so the spirit of giving spread to other parts of the company as well.

Two weeks later 24 packages, including boxes for the female Soldiers, were sent off to for Julian to share.

The packages included an assortment of items varying from necessity to luxury. Entertainment items such as movies and games went along with snacks, toiletries, and comfort items like pillows.

The committee celebrated with a pizza party luncheon on the day the last boxes were shipped.

Andrea Julian, Sgt. Julian’s wife, was on a conference phone call with the committee.

“Seventy voices of people hyped up and excited. The whole office cheered,” she remembered. “They started out supporting my husband, but supported the whole platoon. It is nice to know that people can look past the political sides and see the needs of the Soldiers.”

Andrea wanted her mother-in-law to feel included when she gave her husband’s address. She said she had no idea anything like this would happen.

“The spirit of America took over. It started with one person and just grew,” she said.

Sgt. Julian received half of the boxes on Halloween and the rest the next day.

According to Andrea, her husband said the Soldiers were going crazy. He said it was like Christmas for the platoon.

Andrea says the Soldiers really love to receive mail; it is a huge morale boost. But because of family responsibilities on the home front, it is sometimes hard for her to keep up with sending items.

“We sometimes have to take a break from sending packages,” she explained.

“It was such a relief and good feeling to know that he was receiving these packages when I wasn’t able to get things to him. And even more so, how good it made the other Soldiers and their families feel.”


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