Sweet reminders of home

from March 2022 - Life After 50

Ask Ms. Kitty: Accidental diet?

Sister’s care packages delight military

By William J. Dagendesh

For more than four decades my sister Laurie, 61, has brought smiles to countless sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines through her sweet treat-filled care packages. Laurie began this tradition soon after I left for boot camp in 1976. Her heart went out not only to me, but the scores of sailors who didn’t even receive a letter from home. Laurie worked tirelessly to ensure these men were not forgotten.

She stuffed each package until it overflowed with tasty treats and gifts—from coloring books and crayons to comic books. Troops helped themselves to the sweet stuff and, like sharks at a feeding frenzy, always returned for more.

One package contained a small balsa box housing orange-flavored jawbreakers. A life-sized chocolate baseball was also included. Handwritten cards prompted tears from service members longing to read encouraging words from home.

Laurie’s efforts didn’t stop there, however, as she also ensured service members enjoyed mouthwatering Christmas goodies. This was most memorable as I served during Operation Desert Shield/Storm in December 1990. One day a postal carrier wheeled a couch-sized package up to my desk. Work ground to a halt as service members formed a circle around me while I removed cakes, candy, cookies, peanuts and popcorn from the box. Balls and jacks, comic books, jigsaw puzzles and playing cards provided amusement in a stressful environment.

“I had no idea war could taste so good,” an Army officer said as he bit into a homemade chocolate chip cookie. An Air Force sergeant added, “Bill, it would be tragic if you got shot. Who would feed us?” Indeed, Laurie’s care packages had catapulted me to superstar status.

While serving as public affairs officer for the Naval Air Facility in El Centro, California, I often gave these goodies to junior enlisted personnel. One day a young seaman knocked on my office door, inquiring about the sweet stuff. I invited him in to partake of Laurie’s generosity.

Following my retirement ceremony in December 1999, my commanding officer and numerous other sailors thanked Laurie for sharing her kindness with the nation’s military. ■

Laurie Dagendesh, second from left, meets with members of U.S. Army base Fort Carson’s United Service Organization.

JOIN

THE CAUSE

Today, Laurie continues serving the military by donating these tasty treats and other products to the United Service Organization (USO) at the Fort Carson Army Base.

You can make a difference by donating prepackaged manufactured food products, such as cookies, candy and other baked goods. Books, board games, coloring books and crayons, playing cards, puzzles and writing stationery are also welcome.

Mail your donation to USO, 1625 Ellis St., 1218, Fort Carson, CO 80913. By providing a piece of the home front, you are beacons of light for our nation’s uniformed sons and daughters. To learn more, call 719-579- 9699.