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STUDENTS COLLECT BACKPACKS FOR WOUNDED
SOLDIERS -- A backpack makes it easier for
them to carry items around.
This is a little story about a little
project.
But, it makes a wonderful point.
No matter where we are...and no matter
what our resources might be...we CAN find a way to help veterans.
Think about it. What can you do in
your community?
Story here...
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/
2007/02/04/news/020507arbackpacks.txt
Story below:
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Students Collect Backpacks For Wounded Soldiers
By Leann Askins
The Jonesboro Sun
JONESBORO -- Some Nettleton School District students are teaming up with
the parents of a wounded soldier to make life a little easier for troops
injured in the line of duty.
The parents of Reddi Parker, a member of the 875th Engineer Battalion of
the Arkansas Army National Guard, visited with students at Fox Meadow
Intermediate Center who have siblings or parents serving in the
military, many of them in Iraq, Afghanistan or Kuwait.
Mona and Dan Parker engaged about 12 students at the school, including
their son Chase, in gathering backpacks to send to Walter Reed Medical
Center in Washington. Mona Parker said many of the soldiers at the
military hospital have multiple injuries and are in wheelchairs. A
backpack would make it easier for them to carry items around.
"They have to exercise every day to get those muscles going," Mona
Parker added.
The Parkers asked students to include a note in each backpack so the
troops would know where the backpacks came from and would feel the
support of the students.
To inspire the group, Dan Parker got his son Reddi, who is hospitalized
at Walter Reed, on the phone to thank the students and ask for their
prayers. Reddi Parker explained to the students that having backpacks
would help soldiers in the hospital a lot.
*
Reddi Parker was injured Jan. 2 and returned to the United State. five
days later. The Parkers recently returned from being with their son.
Cheryl Speights, a counselor at the school, said she began having
meetings of the "Stars and Stripes" student group last September. They
discuss their loved ones and participate in projects. A larger group of
about 50 students who have extended family in the military also meet
regularly.
Among the projects are sending yellow ribbons home with students to put
on display as a sign of support for the troops, a Thanksgiving
letter-writing campaign, Christmas care packages to soldiers, creating a
flag for the fence at school and making a scrapbook for loved ones in
the military.
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Larry Scott --
