Soldiers from U.S. Army camp in Kuwait send thanks to 95.3 The Bull, Rockford for care packages

Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Soldiers stationed at a U.S. Army camp shared their thanks with Rockford and listeners of 95.3 The Bull for the Shoeboxes for Soldiers care packages that arrived this week.

More than 300 care packages are being delivered to deployed troops around the world thanks to the Shoeboxes for Soldiers campaign, which is run by the radio station in partnership with business sponsors, community groups and hundreds of donors across the area.

Related: Rockford radio station’s Shoeboxes for Soldiers campaign to deliver 2,000th package this year

Some of the packages recently arrived at U.S. Army Camp Buehring, a staging post in the northwestern region of Kuwait (about 25 miles from the Iraqi border).

“The joy from my soldiers opening their packages and sharing with each other is something I will cherish for a lifetime,” Ivan Martin, commander of 623rd Inland Cargo Transfer Company, said in an email to 95.3 The Bull. “Please tell everyone who participated in this gesture that we cannot thank them enough. It’s a first deployment for about 80% of my company (including myself), and its their first time missing family events, summers, holidays, and much more.”

Martin said his company is a reserve unit from West Palm Beach, Florida, but it has soldiers from all over the country, including Illinois.

“We assist cargo movement on/off at the seaports, railheads, flight lines, at bases, and wherever we are directed to provide that logistical support,” he told 95.3 The Bull, a radio partner with the Rock River Current. “My company has soldiers from all over the US: Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas and Illinois. I expect us to return home after the New Year, so we hope to start off the year stateside then back to where we call home.”

The radio station partners with Operation Shoebox to identify armed forces members dispatched around the world to receive the supplies.

The packages are stocked with essential supplies, as well as goodies such as gum from Perfetti Van Melle in Loves Park and locally roasted coffee from Fire Department Coffee.

This is the fifth year the station has run Shoeboxes for Soldiers, and it has now sent out more than 2,000 care packages.

A similar note came in Tuesday from Captain Hayes Glen of the Colorado Army National Guard, which is also deployed in the Middle East.

“This is my third deployment, and I am still amazed at the level of support we receive from more than just our families and loved one back home,” he wrote. “The generosity of complete strangers is a testament to America’s continued support of its Armed Forces and the sacrifice of service each member makes.

“Please send my personnel thanks for the self-care (especially medical) and food items to the radio station and local community there in northern Illinois. It is greatly appreciated. Thank you also for the notes of encouragement. They bring a smile on tough days.”