Plains Auxiliary VFW prepares gift boxes for soldiers

For members of the military who are on duty and not home for the holidays, Christmas can be a trying time.

But for the past 79 years the Plains VFW Auxiliary has been doing something to make sure the men and women in uniform get a little piece of home.

This year was no different for the handful of Auxiliary members who gathered to continue an annual tradition that started in 1941, when America’s involvement in World War II was ramping up.

“We want to make sure those serving in the military get a little taste of home,” said Auxiliary member Cindy Gray. “My husband served in Vietnam and he never got a box of goodies like this from home.”

With that in mind, Gray and the other volunteers spent a day last week packing boxes with a variety of practical gifts and tasty treats that will soon be on their way to more than 20 local residents who are serving elsewhere in the country or overseas.

Included in this year’s boxes are such items as candy and gum, toiletries, hand warmers, tea and water bottles. Those simple items which most people take for granted are a welcome thought from military members who receive them.

“We heard that one of the boxes that went to a local guy serving in the Navy who took the package and opened it in the day room on board his ship to share it with others,” said Deborah Davis, whose father served in Vietnam with the Green Beret special forces. “I was an Army dependent and I know what it’s like to be away from a loved one at Christmas.”

In addition to military bases in the United States, several of the boxes are headed overseas and in at least one case at sea. This year’s mailing list includes a female member of the Navy who is presently based in Turkey.

Last year, one of the boxes went to Coast Guard member Willie Suggs, the son-in-law of a Plains resident. He was serving on a Coast Guard cutter at the time, doing drug intervention patrols in the Pacific.

“That was a real nice thing to get,” Suggs said from his most recent Coast Guard assignment at a base in Virginia. “It helped to get a piece of something from home, it was very much appreciated.”

That is music to the ears of the Auxiliary volunteers.

“We try to get these boxes to as many local soldiers and sailors as possible,” Davis said. “Hopefully it helps brighten the day for anyone serving in the military who can’t be home”.

Photo 0327 show Plains residents and Auxiliary members Deborah Davis, blue shirt, and Cindy Gray, (gray sweater) packing boxes of goodies for those serving away from home