Story by Army Maj. Robert Tallman
OSC-A Public Affairs Officer
KABUL, Afghanistan " While most seventeen-year-olds are worrying about their prom date, getting their driver's license or playing video games, Barney Oldfield of Longmont, Colo., was thinking about the troops serving in Afghanistan.
For his Eagle Scout project, Barney chose to collect and send care packages to soldiers supporting the Global War on Terrorism.
"I got the youth group to sign donated Valentines because I wanted Valentine's Day to be a special day for everyone away from home, and to show that a lot of people care (about deployed troops)," Oldfield said.
The local newspaper ran a clip alerting the community that Oldfield and members of Boy Scout Troop 128 would be collecting donations at the local Wal Mart.
Oldfield was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, he said.
Shoppers handed over carts full of donations, and local business owners opened the trunks of their cars to give donations from their stores.
Another local company paid two thirds of the cost of shipping and handling for the twelve boxes containing more than 550 pounds of candy, snack food, DVDs and books. His Boy Scout Troop had to bring in the troop trailer to haul the donations to the post office to sort them for shipping.
The troops serving in Afghanistan were very grateful. They were also impressed by the young man's character and patriotism. Oldfield will forever be known to those who received the gifts as a "Great American."
Tech. Sgt. Pat Stanford, Police Reform Directorate, Office of Security Cooperation " Afghanistan, was especially grateful. "It deeply warms my heart that people back home are supporting us."
Sgt. Maj. Dan Post, PRD sergeant major, added, "We deeply appreciate this young man's efforts in showing support to all the servicemembers stationed here on Camp Eggers, Afghanistan."
This extraordinary young student-athlete believes this project was well worth the effort. "I was glad that I had chosen to do this, as the whole project was a learning experience from start to finish.
I felt you all would enjoy the treats and surprises that would arrive," Oldfield said.
Sgt. Maj. Thomas S. Gills, OSC-A sergeant major, and Boy Scout leader for 10 years, was not surprised by Oldfield's actions. "This young man, in thanking us for our service, is a perfect example of the great citizens that the Boy Scouts of America routinely produces."
He added, "It is a testament to the American cornerstone values that the BSA fosters in our youth, and Eagle Scout Oldfield now has a place in all of our hearts who are deployed over here, as well as that rare and most coveted title in the BSA."