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Care
Packages From College Democrats
About once a month, Smith College Democrats send a care
package to a platoon stationed in Iraq. |
Sidnie Davis ’08 met Max [last name withheld at Davis’ request]
last summer while working in Washington, D.C., as a lobbyist.
Max had recently returned home after serving a 15-month tour
of duty in Iraq with the U.S. Army.
A college student before he joined the army, Max had been
looking forward to re-enrolling and resuming his life as
a student after his stint in Iraq. But two months before
receiving his honorable discharge from the service, his platoon
was ordered to return to Iraq for another 15-month tour.
He was disheartened, Davis recalled.
Beginning last fall, Davis,
who is president of the Smith College Democrats, led the
organization in a project to deliver occasional gift packages
to Max’s troop, to provide
them with much-needed items while helping to bolster their
spirits.
“Our intent is to help some great guys who are all
about our age and who are selflessly serving our country,” said
Davis. “No matter what someone thinks about the war,
stories like Max’s are the epitome of patriotism and
citizenship.”
About once a month, the
Smith Democrats pack a box full of supplies such as ChapStick,
Purell sanitizer, sunscreen and assorted goodies for Max’s
platoon of about 50 soldiers.
“We send them things that are normally holiday-themed,” she
said. “They all got stockings for Christmas, and Halloween
bags. We also send supplies that they request. We decorate
everything, even the box, and always include letters as well.”
Before meeting Max, Davis
had planned to organize the project to send supplies to
an anonymous platoon in Iraq, she said. After hearing his
story, however, she felt fortunate to have a direct connection
to someone in Iraq. “This project
is very dear to my heart,” she said, “probably
my favorite thing that I do as president of Smith Democrats
besides campaigning.”
Though as a group, the Smith Democrats stand collectively
against the Iraq War, they recognize that those serving,
such as Max, are performing a selfless duty for the sake
of their country.
“We feel more inspired to work to end the war responsibly
because we now know stories like Max’s,” she
said.
The care packages are
always appreciated by the soldier’s
platoon, reported Davis. After receiving the first box, he
wrote back to Davis:
| “Thank you
so much for the box: the guys loved it. That ChapStick
was amazing (so
much better than the regular stuff) and the cream pies
were a nice touch as well.
We don’t use much sunscreen, actually, what with
our helmet, gloves, and full
body kit, but thank you all the same. You are the only
people who have sent us
something so far and I just wanted to say it means
a lot.” |
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