American Legion Post gathers supplies for troops

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By Linda Cook | Monday, July 31, 2006 1:08 AM CDT | () comments

Nick Loomis/QUAD-CITY TIMES Volunteers at the Davenport American Legion post 26 fill boxes with coffee-making supplies and other “luxuries” Sunday for troops serving in Iraq.

What would you think if your loved ones sent you a package of white socks, hard candy and eye drops?

If you were serving in the military in Iraq, you’d probably think it was Christmas in July.

Art Petersen, of Davenport, member of the American Legion Post 26, was among more than a dozen folks who spent Sunday afternoon and evening packing boxes to be sent to troops serving overseas.

“This is the first major drive we (the post and its auxiliary) has had,” Petersen said. In additon to Legion members, Petersen said, residents of Ridgecrest Retirement Village also contributed snacks, drinks and other items.

“I just felt personally that we had to do something more for our people over there, whether we like the war or not,” Petersen said. “They need to know that we appreciate them being there. We think it’s hot here — it’s hotter than that over there.”

Helping the Legion representatives throughout the afternoon were members of Quad-City Families in Support of Troops, or Q-C F.I.S.T., who helped pack the items into boxes.

“We had to take everything that was given to us, and we had to sort it out into the various items that we had,” he said. Various tables contained different categories of articles — one table held instant dinners, another had foot powder, still another had hard candy, and on another was “a whole slug of white socks that we’re sending over there,” Petersen said..

“I’m guessing it’s going to cost the post $700 to $800 to ship this (to Iraq),” Petersen said.

Along with the Legion volunteers, members of Q-C F.I.S.T., a group that has gathered together previously to send boxes overseas, used their mailing know-how Sunday. Among the expert packers was Patti Kloppenburg, of Davenport.

“We’re getting to be pros at boxing stuff,” she said. “We’ve learned how to pack things nice and tight and do it at the least expense. It’s amazing how much stuff you can smoosh into those boxes.”

Kloppenburg’s son, Capt. Ron Mildren, returned from Iraq two weeks ago, she said.

“Even with him being home, we want to continue to make everyone aware that we want them all home safe,” Kloppenburg said. “They’re all brothers and sisters over there, one big family.”

While they packed, the volunteers included flyers with signatures from the veterans and the wars in which they served.

About 150 boxes containing about 2,300 pounds will be shipped today, Kloppenburg said.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2245 or newsroom@qctimes.com.