Delaware National Guard Counterdrug Task Force members definitely were in the “Christmas Spirit” last week. They had the opportunity to support Judy Travis with her “Christmas Stocking for Soldiers” project.  This was the fourth annual community project that Judy led.

Judy Travis has a son who is a West Point graduate and is now a captain in the Army.  He was serving in Iraq four years ago and while deployed he asked Mom to send some Christmas cheer to the soldiers under his command.  That was all that she needed.  Ms. Travis accepted the mission and assembled a “task force” that not only completed that year’s mission, but also has expanded it each year.

So how does Christmas Stockings for Soldiers work?  Ms. Travis lined up over 300 volunteers this year to send Active Army, Marines, and National Guard Soldiers and Airmen individualized stockings with their names embroidered on them.  She included such things as magazines, books, comfort items, snacks, DVD’s, socks, fly swatters, holiday greeting cards, pocket games, puzzles, and disposable cameras.

The program sent 664 boxes packed with 3,200 hand made Christmas Stockings filled with over 18,000 pounds of goodies.  They also made and sent over 1,000 fleece blankets.

Getting all those boxes to the post office is where the Delaware National Guard answered the call.  Travis contacted Counterdrug Task Force personnel who were happy to help the effort.  They contacted USP&FO and CSMS 9, both of whom were excited about the mission and glad to help, and coordinated use of their box trucks to deliver the packages to the main postal facility at Hare’s Corner.

The Counterdrug team assembled at the old Branmar Plaza Patterson Schwartz office to load all 664 boxes for delivery to the Post Office the following morning.  At “0 dark 30” the Counterdrug team reported to the New Castle post office to off-load all those boxes.

It is quite humbling to know that there are so many dedicated civilians thinking of deployed Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines.  It was our pleasure to assist the efforts of Judy Travis and her team of volunteers this year.

We give a special salute to those who helped and, of course, our most sincere thanks to Judy Travis for keeping military personnel in her thoughts and prayers.  Those Christmas Stockings are more than just a touch of home for our brothers and sisters—they represent the very spirit of the holidays.