Support The Troops shifts gears

WORLAND — The Worland Support The Troops program managed by the American Legion Post 44 is changing direction slightly due to fewer area troops being deployed overseas.

American Legion Adjutant Don Hall said last week in an interview that Support the Troops started in April 2003 with four Legion members sitting around discussing the war in Afghanistan and how to support the troops. He said he, the late Todd White, Jim Bailey and Herm Emmett were remembering how those who served in the Vietnam War did “not get much in the way of care packages.”

He said part of that was culturally and how the armed forces had things set up in Vietnam.

“We didn’t know what would happen in Afghanistan,” Hall said, noting later many areas had PXes or commissaries established.

Kate Henrichsen volunteered her time at the beginning to help organize the monthly gatherings to fill and mail packages. Becky Lamb took over for many years until having to step down in recent years due to family commitments.

Hall said when they started they focused on soldiers serving from Washakie County, they then opened it up to the Big Horn Basin and on occasion those troops with local ties to the area. He said they even sent some packages to British soldiers in Diego Garcia from a special request. And one Marine wrote requesting packages for some members of his unit who were not receiving anything from home.

At its peak they were mailing about 60 packages per month. Prior to 2010 there were a number of deployments that involved local residents.

When the National Guard reorganized the armories they began seeing fewer local troops being sent overseas.

“It has wound down in recent years and we have started receiving packages back,” Hall said, noting that they have not been notified when a soldier returns stateside.

To ensure packages are going to troop members who can benefit from them, to ensure that donated money is not wasted on packages that will be returned they are changing the program.

Packages will only be sent to troops that are deployed. People will be asked to fill out an application so they can track the troop members movements, address and have contact information for the person asking for the package to be sent.

“This was born of the idea to support our troops the best we could. We want to keep doing it but a reduced scope,” Hall said.

They will be resuming the program next month.

The Legion accept monetary donations for the program as well as nonperishable food items in cans or boxes, baby/hand wipes, toiletries and entertainment items such as magazines, books, Nerf balls, squirt guns.

Anyone wanting an application or more information may contact the Legion.