Local veterans work to help soldiers overseas
April 12, 2018
DeKALB — A local group wants to send a piece of home to soldiers serving in some of the more remote areas in the world.
American soldiers stationed in places like northern Africa and the Middle East don’t always have access to simple supplies like toiletries and are, at times, in of assistance.
Groups in support of veterans can be found all over the country. DeKalb’s own American Legion Post No. 66, 1204 S. Fourth St., is one of those groups, and the organization collects supplies to send to service members in remote areas.
American Legion Post No. 66 is a non-profit organization in support of American veterans. Its brother organization, the Sons of the American Legions Post No. 66 is for males who have mothers, fathers or grandparents who’ve served in the military.
Patrick Boyce, Sons of American Legions Post No. 66 commander, said the idea behind the organization was to take some of the burden off veterans by supporting servicemen and servicewomen and fundraising, among other things.
“There’s a lot of kids out there that need help,” Boyce said. “I mean, there’s things when they’re out there that they can’t get.”
Boyce said he assembles care packages made up of personal hygiene items, canned foods and anything they may be in need of once a month.
“It goes from there then to comfort things, so we would send them shampoos and soaps and things like that and then pillows, which is one of the harder things to ship,” Boyce said. “Then they get into the things like wanting tuna and hot sauce.”
Boyce said dentist offices donate small tubes of toothpaste to send overseas, and people who travel will often donate small shampoos, conditioners and moisturizers they get from hotels. Boyce also said those serving like the smaller items because they can keep them in their pockets while on marches.
“We supported a kid over the last five months who was in Afghanistan,” Boyce said. “I would talk to him through Messenger, find out what he needed.”
Boyce said depending on where overseas troops are stationed, they have more or less access to amenities, so those in places like Afghanistan and Iraq often need support.
Rob McCann, chaplain of the American Legion Post No. 66, said those in the military go where they are told, whether it’s popular in the political climate or not, and for them to know the community is behind them as they serve the country helps keep them sane.
“What are we doing to make them know that we’re still here and that we care,” McCann said. “At the end of the day it can be a written letter of thanks, it can be some soap and mouthwash or whatever, but it’s less about what you’re giving and the fact that they know you are giving.”
K.J. King, NIU Veteran Club president, said he knows firsthand how it feels to receive care packages.
“It makes the world of a difference just to know that we’re overseas, and we’re going through something totally different than people back home,” King said.
Letters mean a lot to soldiers because it gives them an attachment to home, King said.
“When you write a letter to a veteran, or you send a care package, you’re showing that you have a small understanding,” King said. “You may not understand completely what’s going on, but you’re still supporting them.”
McCann said the American Legion and Sons of the American Legions need help from the community to find more service members to support because they only know what they hear through family and friends of service members.
“Right now we’re looking for someone to send something to,” Boyce said. “So we’ve got plenty of packages ready to go.”
McCann said those who know people serving overseas can stop into the American Legion and provide their name and unit number and the group can utilize military websites to find where the service member is stationed.
Boyce said everybody seems to know a military service member, and the American Legion groups want to support everyone.
King said the American Legion does great things to support the veteran community and also assist the student veteran community in being partners with the NIU Veteran’s Association.
Dan Gallager, American Legion Post No. 66 commander, said the organization gives $1,000 scholarships to veterans who belong to the NIU Veteran’s Association as they make their way through their college career and apply for the scholarship.
“Veteran students are usually older and they do have this experience that differs from going straight from highschool to college,” King said. “And I do believe there is a disconnect there, and I think what the veteran club really tries to do is bridge that disconnect.”
King said the NIU Veteran’s Association has great opportunities for veterans including post-graduation career opportunities and the group is always looking for members. The association aims to raise awareness to some of the issues veterans face as well as trying break down different stereotypes.
With the NIU Veteran’s Association upcoming event, Homeless Veteran Awareness Fundraiser April 24, King said the focus is on raising awareness and funding to help end homelessness among veterans.
“NIU Vets Club [and] the American Legion, we focus on things like homeless veterans, we focus on things like 22 veterans a day are committing suicide,” McCann said. “What are we doing to help these things go forward.”
Boyce said the efforts help let service members know the community cares and is thankful for supporting and defending our country.
“At the end of the day, we want to know who [the soldiers] are,” McCann said. “We want to honor them on our wall with a picture, we want to make sure that we’re supporting their family here locally in the community.”
Those interested in donating care package item can deliver items to American Legion Post No. 66, 1204 S. Fourth Street, or contact Sons of American Legions Commander Patrick Boyce at 815-739-6162 or via email at [email protected].
