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Soldier visits, reflects on packages
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| Army Sgt. Melanie Harris, standing third from right, and her mother Sylvie Halstead, standing second from left, visited with Carla Reed (left of Harris) and other area residents who box packages to send to U.S. trooops overseas. The local organization, once known as the Bahia Bay residents, has expanded to include volunteers from throughout the Coastal Bend and south Texas. |
By: NORMA MARTINEZ, Managing Editor
A package sent from Aransas County to troops overseas recently brought laughter and joy to a group of women due to its unusual content - a luau party kit.
Army Sgt. Melanie Harris of Corpus Christi explained when she and her fellow troop members arrived back at camp after a hard day, they were thrilled to have received a package from home. When they opened and discovered the aforementioned kit, “My friends and I went crazy with that.”
She added, “I had so much fun and never laughed so hard when I was in Iraq till I got that package.”
Not every package which get sent overseas contain a “party in a bag” explained Bahia Bay resident Carla Reed. She had found several of these on sale at a dollar store and thought some of the female troops might get cheered up with one. That notion turned out to be exactly right.
Harris stopped by Reed’s home last week, which serves as informal headquarters for packages for troops, to say thank you.
Harris is a graduate of King High School and enlisted in the Army in 2006. She completed basic training in Fort Jackson, SC. She went on to advanced individual training (AIT) in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Then it was on to Fort Riley, KS.
From there, she deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in October of last year.
In September, prior to shipping out, Harris was at a restaurant in Corpus Christi with her mother, Sylvie Halstead. Harris noted her mom was taking an awfully long time to return to the table, but when she did, she explained why.
Halstead had met Beverly Jacobsen and during the conversation she mentioned her daughter was getting ready to deploy. Jacobsen got Harris’ mailing address to add to the list of packages which the local group, working out of the Bahia Bay subdivision, sends packages to.
Harris noted she was thrilled to receive her first package, and pointed out she received several while she was gone, including one at Christmas and the one carrying the luau kit.
The soldier said getting the packages is great, but emphasized, “It’s really awesome to know people are still out here supporting the military.”
She said the packages are more than appreciated. People don’t know how much receiving chocolate or toys makes soldiers forget just for a little bit about where they are.
She returned to Corpus Christi on Monday, Nov. 2, and said, “I had to come see for myself,” where all these wonderful packages are coming from. Upon seeing the many paddle balls and yo-yos, she commented, “Soldiers love that stuff.”
When she arrived at the Corpus Christi Airport, she was greeted by the South Texas Patriot Guard Riders and some members of Reed’s box-packing group as well.
Harris said she was surprised at the great welcome home, but pleased stating, “I felt like it was my day.”
Harris said she really missed the Corpus Christi weather as well as the comfort of family and friends, and her mom’s cooking.
She also wanted to make the trip to Aransas County to say thank you to the people who so lovingly sent packages. She said simply, “I don’t understand how someone could get a package and not say thank you.”
The women present during Harris’ visit said she always sent the most beautiful thank you letters.
Harris said she was surprised to see how many boxes are packed, and how much “stuff” Reed has in her home. “I didn’t know it was this mass produced.”
Halstead said she is pleased the group included her daughter on their package list. She said she also works with the Blue Star Mothers in Corpus Christi who send letters to the troops.
Harris said she feels privileged to be one of the soldiers this group sent packages to, adding “appreciation is not a big enough word.” She said these people take time out of their schedules to bring home closer to these soldiers.
“I can’t tell you how many days when its rough, then we get back and see the snacks, and the care packages,” Harris said, “And we feel the network of support.”
The young woman, who has no regrets about joining the service, explained, “I want a good life for myself and for everyone. I joined to do what I did. It’s not the money, I love to be there serving my country.”
Her feelings have not changed in spite of the fact her boyfriend, Matthew Ogden, an Army infantry gunner, was killed in June while in Afghanistan. The military vehicle he was traveling in ran over an explosive device.
Harris said he is sorely missed and not a day goes by she doesn’t think about him.
The community needs to know stuff like this still happens, she said, adding, “Please don’t forget (those soldiers who have been killed).”
Before leaving, Harris hugged everyone and thanked them again for the packages. They in turn thanked her for her service to this country.
Harris headed back to Kansas Sunday, Nov. 8 and will wait to see where the Army sends her next.
If she happens to get deployed overseas again, however, she will be contacting Reed and her group to once again receive packages.
The group initially started out with Reed and many of the residents in Bahia Bay, but has since expanded to include individuals from throughout South Texas. The group has sent 5,926 boxes since the program’s inception in 2005, and is gearing up to send more than 700 packages next week, to be mailed to arrive in time for Christmas.
Anyone wishing to help pack boxes, transport them to the post office, or assist with funds for the postage should contact Reed at 729-5490.
Army Sgt. Melanie Harris of Corpus Christi explained when she and her fellow troop members arrived back at camp after a hard day, they were thrilled to have received a package from home. When they opened and discovered the aforementioned kit, “My friends and I went crazy with that.”
She added, “I had so much fun and never laughed so hard when I was in Iraq till I got that package.”
Not every package which get sent overseas contain a “party in a bag” explained Bahia Bay resident Carla Reed. She had found several of these on sale at a dollar store and thought some of the female troops might get cheered up with one. That notion turned out to be exactly right.
Harris stopped by Reed’s home last week, which serves as informal headquarters for packages for troops, to say thank you.
Harris is a graduate of King High School and enlisted in the Army in 2006. She completed basic training in Fort Jackson, SC. She went on to advanced individual training (AIT) in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Then it was on to Fort Riley, KS.
From there, she deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in October of last year.
In September, prior to shipping out, Harris was at a restaurant in Corpus Christi with her mother, Sylvie Halstead. Harris noted her mom was taking an awfully long time to return to the table, but when she did, she explained why.
Halstead had met Beverly Jacobsen and during the conversation she mentioned her daughter was getting ready to deploy. Jacobsen got Harris’ mailing address to add to the list of packages which the local group, working out of the Bahia Bay subdivision, sends packages to.
Harris noted she was thrilled to receive her first package, and pointed out she received several while she was gone, including one at Christmas and the one carrying the luau kit.
The soldier said getting the packages is great, but emphasized, “It’s really awesome to know people are still out here supporting the military.”
She said the packages are more than appreciated. People don’t know how much receiving chocolate or toys makes soldiers forget just for a little bit about where they are.
She returned to Corpus Christi on Monday, Nov. 2, and said, “I had to come see for myself,” where all these wonderful packages are coming from. Upon seeing the many paddle balls and yo-yos, she commented, “Soldiers love that stuff.”
When she arrived at the Corpus Christi Airport, she was greeted by the South Texas Patriot Guard Riders and some members of Reed’s box-packing group as well.
Harris said she was surprised at the great welcome home, but pleased stating, “I felt like it was my day.”
Harris said she really missed the Corpus Christi weather as well as the comfort of family and friends, and her mom’s cooking.
She also wanted to make the trip to Aransas County to say thank you to the people who so lovingly sent packages. She said simply, “I don’t understand how someone could get a package and not say thank you.”
The women present during Harris’ visit said she always sent the most beautiful thank you letters.
Harris said she was surprised to see how many boxes are packed, and how much “stuff” Reed has in her home. “I didn’t know it was this mass produced.”
Halstead said she is pleased the group included her daughter on their package list. She said she also works with the Blue Star Mothers in Corpus Christi who send letters to the troops.
Harris said she feels privileged to be one of the soldiers this group sent packages to, adding “appreciation is not a big enough word.” She said these people take time out of their schedules to bring home closer to these soldiers.
“I can’t tell you how many days when its rough, then we get back and see the snacks, and the care packages,” Harris said, “And we feel the network of support.”
The young woman, who has no regrets about joining the service, explained, “I want a good life for myself and for everyone. I joined to do what I did. It’s not the money, I love to be there serving my country.”
Her feelings have not changed in spite of the fact her boyfriend, Matthew Ogden, an Army infantry gunner, was killed in June while in Afghanistan. The military vehicle he was traveling in ran over an explosive device.
Harris said he is sorely missed and not a day goes by she doesn’t think about him.
The community needs to know stuff like this still happens, she said, adding, “Please don’t forget (those soldiers who have been killed).”
Before leaving, Harris hugged everyone and thanked them again for the packages. They in turn thanked her for her service to this country.
Harris headed back to Kansas Sunday, Nov. 8 and will wait to see where the Army sends her next.
If she happens to get deployed overseas again, however, she will be contacting Reed and her group to once again receive packages.
The group initially started out with Reed and many of the residents in Bahia Bay, but has since expanded to include individuals from throughout South Texas. The group has sent 5,926 boxes since the program’s inception in 2005, and is gearing up to send more than 700 packages next week, to be mailed to arrive in time for Christmas.
Anyone wishing to help pack boxes, transport them to the post office, or assist with funds for the postage should contact Reed at 729-5490.
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