Photo By Spc. Rochelle Prince-Krueger | First Sergeant Lesley Tener, with the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — While Santa Claus enlists his reindeer to help transport gifts via air, soldiers with the 1486th Transportation Company are spending their nights before Christmas convoying through the streets of Afghanistan—delivering packages to fellow comrades who are spending the holiday season away from home.
The ‘Buckeyes’—an Ohio National Guard unit attached to the 117th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade in Kandahar—teamed up with the United Services Organization, Dec. 23 to 24, to distribute hundreds of gift bags to Troops stationed at forward operating bases throughout the country’s southern region.
This is the fourth-consecutive year that the USO has partnered with a sustainment unit to distribute holiday goods, and this year donations included television sets, gaming systems, phone cards and movies.
"Our goal is to show these guys that they're not forgotten here," said Priya Butler, director of operations for USO Southwest Asia who travelled with the 1486th Transportation Co. "People back home still care. We think of them (the deployed soldiers) every day, especially during the Christmas season."
Sergeant Thomas Staley, a Rittman, Ohio, native with the 1486th Transportation Co, said that though he too is away from home, he was delighted to share in the Christmas spirit with others.
"It’s nice to share joy when we are given an opportunity to do so," he said. "Being so far away, the USO does a great job to make us feel more at home."
Sergeant Sarah Gwin, Shelby, Ohio, native and transportation specialist expressed similar sentiments.
"I know we're (also) missing Christmas this year, but it feels really good to give to soldiers,” she said. “I’ve been on small FOBs before, and it’s great (when you receive gifts) because it is not something you expect to get."
In addition to delivering presents, Gwin, Staley and their fellow ‘Buckeyes’ provided a safe trip for the USO representative.
“I understand the risk involved and accept it," said Butler. "But I've seen impact when an American civilian arrives (to a forward operation base) with gifts in hand; that outweighs the risk in my mind."
The 1486th TC has transported logistical supplies to multiple outlying units since their arrival to Kandahar in early May. First Lieutenant Lauren Perry, commander of the ‘Buckeyes’ said she is proud of her team who was chosen to also assist with this holiday mission.
“We know what it feels like to not have things, and it’s prideful that they trust us to deliver all the goods,” she said.
Specialist Derek Hughes, another transportation specialist for the ‘Buckeyes,’ said though delivering presents is but a small part of his team’s overall mission, it’s a critical piece of comprehensive soldier fitness.
“It improves morale for the soldiers stationed far away to get a surprise from Santa’s Sleigh,” he said, referring to his military vehicle nicknamed for carrying the most gifts.
| Date Taken: | 12.24.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.25.2012 08:08 |
| Story ID: | 99715 |
| Location: | AF |
| Hometown: | MANSFIELD, OH, US |
| Hometown: | RITTMAN, OH, US |
| Hometown: | SHELBY, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 507 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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