Guard families and Nevada youth show support for wounded soldiers

Thursday, March 5, 2009
Cosy comforts: gifts to warm the body and soul are abundant Shirley Beckman shows off more than 130 hoodies she and the 311th's A Company Family Readiness Group collected over the past few months. The sweatshirts will be given to soldiers at Walter Reed hospital in Washington, D.C. The effort began with an e-mail to 321 students in Washington, D.C., and spread throughout the country -- and Vernon County chipped in with a large number of donations.

Guardsmen and their families have joined a national effort to help and support wounded Soldiers by collecting hooded sweatshirts.

Shirley Beckman, Family Readiness Group Leader of Company A's detachment for the 311th Brigade Support Battalion in Nevada, began a support effort after reading about a national charity that was collecting zip-up hoodies for soldiers at Walter Reed hospital in Washington, D.C. She, along with others from her husband's unit, began efforts to collect the hoodies locally.

"My husband (retired Sgt. 1st Class Brent Beckman) and I have always loved working with the troops and their families," Beckman said. "When I heard of the charity, I put a couple of ads in the local newspapers, asking readers to donate new hoodies, and I've been astonished by the results." Beckman and the Family Readiness Group have collected 130 hoodies in just two months. Most recently, children ages 8-14 from the Vernon County 4-H Club presented the Family Readiness Group with a dozen more hoodies this past Sunday.

Shelby Wilkins, an eighth grader from Northeast Vernon County High School and a 4-H club member, said she's proud of the soldiers who serve her country. She said she's especially proud of her father, Staff Sgt. Vance Wilkins, who serves with the 311th in Nevada. Staff Sgt. Wilkins deployed to Iraq in 2005 when Shelby was just 11 years old.

A dozen area youth with the Vernon County 4-H Club donated hoodies to support wounded veterans at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. --Submitted photos

"I really didn't want him to go, but I knew he had to because of the commitment he made to serve," Shelby said. "I was really proud of him for going." When her 4-H club learned there was a way that they could support soldiers who have deployed and been injured, she was really happy to be a part of it.

"I know there are things that wounded soldiers need, and it feels good to know that we are supplying them with some of those things," she said. "It really makes you feel good." Retired Col. Christina Lafferty began the hoodie drive last year with a single mass -e-mail to 321 students at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C., where she is a professor. She said she never could have imagined the response she received.

"Those students forwarded that e-mail on to people all over the country, and we've collected half a conex full of hoodies in just a few months," Lafferty said. "They've come from everywhere. Some have even come from the war theaters, with soldiers still serving wanting to support those who have served and been injured." Lafferty said she's touched by the generosity and support of the American people for men and women who have sacrificed for their country.

"What started out as a humble, but heart-felt effort to show our support from the heartland, has turned into something so enormous, so generous," Lafferty said. "I think people really liked giving the hoodies because it was something they could put their hands on, like putting their arms around a wounded veteran."

Shelby Wilkins encouraged others to show their support, as well.. She said area residents can participate in national charities, like Operation Hoodie, or they can do something closer to home by supporting local soldiers who serve both overseas and in times of natural disaster and emergencies right here at home.

"It really makes you feel good to help soldiers, and it's not hard to do," Shelby said. "If people aren't sure how to help, they can just call the armory nearest them, and get in touch with the family support groups. There's always something that we can do to help."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard call (888) GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

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