Troops with Kids

Sometimes our Troops overseas not only do their jobs, but also build relations through community missions…in these cases, we help them help others.

Instead of me telling you the “Why” behind community missions…here is the “Why” from a soldier overseas:

“In addition to the training I am also involved with a volunteer organization run through the chaplain’s office. We collect donations of clothing, toys, school supplies, and hygiene items from churches and organizations back in the US. Every week we go out on a mission to a local Afghan village, hospital, school, or orphanage and delivery the donated items as well as food we are able to purchase with donated money. One mission was to a girl’s orphanage where we played dressed up with the little girls. Another village mission was in southwest Kabul. The villagers are extremely poor and have nothing but the bare essentials.
As military members we are called upon to sacrifice a lot to do our jobs. We leave behind family, friends, and the comfort of our homes while we are over here. It is because we have so much we sacrifice, we have a better understanding of how important these things are. It makes us appreciate what we have and in turn makes us want to give to those less fortunate. Everyone on our team has taken part in these charity missions and we all believe this work is the highlight of our time away from home. When I read your words of, ‘you never know what the results are when you give,’ I could not help but think when we give to these villagers and children it is a little easier to see the results when you see the smile on their faces and the relief in their eyes.
Thank you for your support. It really does make a difference to us over here to know we have the support, the prayers, and the love of our fellow Americans. Some people mistakenly believe people serve in the military because we love war; what they don’t realize is most of us serve because we value and cherish freedom and want everyone in the world to have the same freedom we have in America.”