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Making a soldier's day

Sep-27-2006 » Filed Under: Homefront

By Gale Fiege, The Daily Herald

LYNNWOOD - World War II veteran Muriel Jean Whalley is cutting up old Christmas cards to make new ones. She wants to send a little humor and holiday kindness to some young people from Fort Lewis.

As she cuts and pastes, Whalley, 82, recounts her service in the Women's Army Corps. An American-born citizen who grew up in England, she remembers the day she heeded Uncle Sam's call. Whoever the heck he was, the man needed her.

When she told her English father she had joined the Army, Dad wasn't happy. "You're going to get yourself bloody-well killed," he told her.

The cards Whalley is making will be sent to troops from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, a Stryker brigade combat team, serving in Iraq.

Whalley and about 20 other residents of the Alderwood Court Senior Apartments in Lynnwood are working two days a week to help meet a goal of producing 4,000 hand-made Christmas cards.

They are joined in their efforts by residents of Ballinger Court in Edmonds and other people who live in Senior Housing Assistance Group apartments throughout Western Washington. The card drive started at Alderwood Court because residents there wanted to show their support for apartment managers Bob and Judy Duprie, who are the grandparents of a Stryker group member.


Comments For "Making a soldier's day":

Muriel and Friends, Thank you so much for planning a wonderful surprise for the 3/2. My son serves with them and hopefully he will receive one of your card gifts - he WILL totally appreciate your efforts! This will be his first Christmas without us - but I know he is with the very best, the finest, in Iraq. Happy Holiday to you and yours!

Posted by: 2ID SBCT, 5/20, Bco, 3Plt RegulatorMom [TypeKey Profile Page] | September 27, 2006 4:06 PM

Thank you for thinking of our soldiers, so far away during the holidays.

My son is there; hopefully he will receive one of the cards you're so thoughtfully putting together.

Thanks again!

Posted by: TariMuth [TypeKey Profile Page] | September 29, 2006 1:57 PM

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