Most of us remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 unfolded before our very eyes.
As I was having a conversation with my colleagues recently, we couldn’t help but think about the fact that most of the soldiers now defending our country were merely adolescents when the New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania tragedies occurred.
Almost a decade has past, yet the pain and sorrow still resonates in our world. Recently, I was contacted by an organization which still remembers that devastation and is dedicated to our military.
East Chicago-based Operation Support Our Service (S.O.S.) members is a nonprofit organization created to put together care packages from the "wish lists" of items sought by armed forces members in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"This organization stands as a testament to our soldiers who are defending our honor every day," said Mayor George Pabey, S.O.S. executive member. "Each community has to realize that these are our sons, daughters, grandchildren, neighbors and friends that are on the front lines, and we must do our part."
S.O.S., which is housed at The Roxana Community Center at 900 Shell St., was created more than a year and a half ago and has already sent more than 800 packages overseas to our service men and women in that short time.
Packages filled with toiletries, cards, nonperishables, lip balm, socks, books, DVDs, CDs, gloves, etc., have been sent to troops, accompanied by hundreds of thank you letters.
"This organization is amazing and I just am so proud of the entire East Chicago community who has been wonderful to S.O.S.," said Colonel Michael F. Harman, U.S. Army (retired) and S.O.S. military advisor. "There is great love and appreciation that get packed in these boxes and some of the simple things are the most difficult to get."
S.O.S. President Colleen Aquirre agrees. "Everyone has been so generous with donating items to the troops," she said. "We could always use (cash) donations for postage. Our support system continues to grow and we are just proud to do what we can."
As I rummaged through the notes received from service men and women who received packages, I was overwhelmed by the grateful comments, cards and photos of service members overseas, making the best of difficult situations.
"Greetings from Afghanistan," SFC Patricia wrote, and "It’s like Christmas every day!" CH Paul added of his package.
S.O.S. has received generous donations from Northwest Indiana and would like to thank its supporters for their ongoing dedication to the service members.
"Although none of us will forget September 11," said Christine Vasquez, S.O.S. board member, "there is some healing that takes place in every donation or care package that each of our volunteers collect or put together."
For more information about S.O.S., or to make a donation, contact Aguirre at (219) 923-5799 or (219) 682-6097 or e-mail aguirrecolleen@yahoo.com.
Damian Rico is a public relations consultant to the City of East Chicago. The opinions expressed are solely his very own. Reach him at darico2@aol.com or (219) 391-8206.
