Bracelets from Afghanistan: Soldier weaves lasting impressions from the front lines

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

01.18.2011

Story by Spc. Breanne Pye 

1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – When soldiers return to Camp Nathan Smith after a grueling day of patrol in the harsh Afghan landscape, most are thinking about the few basic comforts afforded during a combat deployment: a hot shower, a few hours of uninterrupted sleep or, if they’re lucky, a square meal that doesn’t come out of a plastic bag labeled “Meals Ready to Eat.”

For one soldier, those basic comforts are the farthest thing from mind when she returns from mission, because these days, Spc. Amber D. Lewis, a military police officer assigned to 372nd Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, currently attached to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, has another mission to complete.

Her thoughts are with a group of third graders from Romney Elementary in Romney, W. Va., who have managed to inadvertently commandeer a respectable chunk of her free time from half a world away.

In reflecting on her expectations for deployment to Afghanistan, Lewis never thought a letter from her young nephew back home would inspire her to spend the majority of her free time maneuvering colorful strands of 550 cord into assorted bracelets, lanyards and key chains for an entire 3rd grade class in her hometown.

550 cord is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope originally used in the suspension lines of US parachutes during World War II. It now comes in a variety of colors and is used as a general purpose utility cord by both military personnel and civilians.

“My nephew, who is in the third grade, is really my inspiration for this entire project,” said Lewis. “During my deployment, he sent me a letter thanking me for a bracelet that I had made him before I left. In the letter, he told me he was never going to take my bracelet off because it was like having me there with him.”

Lewis said she was incredibly touched by the letter, and by her nephew telling her that his classmates loved his bracelet.

“After reading that letter, I started thinking I could do this for more than just my nephew. I could give his whole class a positive piece of my history to carry around with them throughout their lives,” said Lewis.

As the idea of making bracelets for her nephew’s 3rd grade class began to form, Lewis called her mom, who is part of Romney Elementary’s Parent Teacher Association, to arrange for the delivery of a packet of bracelets from Afghanistan to every child in the class.

Lewis’ generosity doesn’t just extend to family and friends back home, her entire camp has benefited from her acts of kindness and good will.

Spc. Lewis’ bracelets have had a positive effect on our entire squad,” said Staff Sgt. Michael G. Preston, military police officer and squad leader, assigned to 372nd MP Company, 505th MP Battalion, 1BCT, 4th Inf. Div. “They are not only a popular morale booster within the squad and platoon, but are a constant topic of conversation and good cheer throughout the company.”

Preston said that, on top of making bracelets for anyone who asks or anyone who might need a little boost, Lewis has put a lot of time and energy into teaching her fellow soldiers how to make bracelets of their own, so they can send them home to friends and loved ones.

Lewis always has a positive attitude that is absolutely infectious among the squad when we go out on mission, said Preston. She is an ideal soldier that leads by example and takes the initiative to make things happen. Regardless of what’s going on around her, she always displays a positive attitude.

Lewis’ positive influence is evident everywhere on Camp Nathan Smith. One look around camp shows evidence of the soldier that takes the initiative to "make things happen."

Bright strands of green, orange, red and yellow can be seen poking out from under the digital pattern of a significant number Army Combat Uniforms. It’s a daily reminder of the always smiling soldier from West Virginia who is making camp life not just ‘bearable,’ but downright cheerful.

“It’s hard for deployed soldiers to be away from their families and loved ones, but we are constantly shown a humbling amount of support from complete strangers back home,” said Lewis. “We get packages from church groups, schools and support groups from all over the United States that are full of little things that help brighten our day and help us through this deployment.”

Lewis said that when she opens a package from one of those groups, she immediately realizes that there are people who are completely vested in her well being; that they love and support her and care about her welfare.

“Sending bracelets back home is a way I can return the favor, she said. “It’s a way to say ‘thank you’ for the support you are giving our men and women in uniform and a way to show them how much I appreciate and value the love and support they send me and my fellow soldiers every day.”

Though her project for Romney Elementary is nearly complete, Lewis said she fully intends to continue crafting the bracelets that her MP squad has started calling ‘550 wear,’ for anyone and everyone she can until her deployment is over.

Preston said when it’s Lewis’ turn to step off the airplane in the 372nd MP Company’s home base of Cresaptown, Md., he hopes she returns to a world with just as much color, joy and affection as the one she has created for her brothers and sisters-in-arms here in Afghanistan.

• Date Taken: 01.18.2011
• Date Posted: 01.20.2011 00:15
• Story ID: 63839
• Location: KANDAHAR, AF