Supporting the troops: one cookie at a time

After tossing and turning and listening to my dog snore for about an
hour last night, I had to get out of bed. My belly was aching from
being in the wrong position and so I did the next best thing when I
can't sleep. I checked my email.

There's something about reading spam from anonymous people who want to
set me up on a date, improve my sex life, sell me a mortgage or show me
the latest must have gadget that gets me to thinking about what's
really important. As I starred at the glow from the screen I had an
inspiration, why not start a grass roots movement that my family can
get actively involved with and help some troops? Thus, Operation Santa
Claus was born. They say that necessity is the motherhood of invention
and boy did I need help with this project. My unit is currently in
Baghdad and I am unable to send out Christmas care packages to all of
them because I just can't shop and go to the Post Office anymore. I
really need to spend the next two weeks at home nesting for the new
baby.

So, in the wee hours of the morning I crafted an email to send to
everyone on the politically active Treder Family email list to find out
if they would help me send Christmas Cheer to some hard working troops.
After the final review, I sent it. To my amazement, people started
responding immediately! Uncle Al & Mary Treder, his daugher Anne in
Washington said, "We're in!" The newly married Sara Treder Yarrington
in Michigan, Peter Wolff from NY, Carrie Treder and others enlisted to
help too. Everyone was happy even excited to dive in and help right
away. Al even talked his mother, Grandma Marie Treder into baking
cookies for the troops. As we speak she's firing up the old stove to
make her famous lemon bars and peanut butter and chocolate bars. They
are in for a treat!

It is amazing what a little thing a care package can do for a soldier's
morale who's out in the field. I remember when Doug and I were in
Korea and he'd get care packages from his mother, Anna. I usually
heard about it from my co-worker, Bob Cosgrove, his roommate and I'd
high tail it over to his house after work to find out what he got.
Even if I didn't get a care package I shared in his delight. His
packages were always packed with popcorn, cookies, candy and pears from
Harry & David! When I saw that first care package I knew that his
mother was awesome and I loved her for sending that package to him
because it made him so happy.

When my fellow soldiers from the 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
start receiving their care packages from the Treder Family from all
over the United States, they will be part of the continuing tradition
of family sending soldiers a little bit of love in a box from home.

If you'd like to support the troops too, send your care package to: Any soldier, C/O 1SG William Kuhns, 122nd MPAD, HHC, 1st CAV - PAO, APO, AE 09344 Thank you for your support!