Gifts From the Heart for Soldiers in Bosnia

Whether they have sweethearts back home or not, members of one unit of American soldiers in Bosnia will be opening Valentines this week.

Residents, businesses and schoolchildren collected candy, cards and religious medallions to send to a unit of 120 B Company soldiers who were informally “adopted” by the city in December.

Two dozen children and adults gathered at the Jones Victorian Ranch House last week to sign a giant Valentine and to decorate individual gift bags with wishes and hearts.

Residents Michelle Gregory and Sandy Strait decided to start the program after learning on the Internet that other cities were adopting units in Bosnia.

“We first thought we would help a couple of guys, then we decided to take on a whole company,” Strait said.

The sentiment behind the campaign, which includes wearing yellow ribbons as a sign of support, is that soldiers should not be held responsible for the politics of their assignments. Many soldiers returning from the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s felt maligned, Strait said.

“On a troop level, it doesn’t matter” why they are there, said Pete Weissman, a member of the countywide Vietnam Veterans Reunited who was among volunteers helping to pack the Valentine bags. “Those are our sons and daughters over there.”

In January, more than 100 pounds of brownies, hot chocolate, hand warmers and other gifts were collected.

“A lot of people ask what they can do, so we give them an outlet,” said Gregory, who wore a T-shirt with a flag of hearts and stripes proclaiming membership in Task Force of Support Unlimited.

The soldiers apparently are enjoying every Snickers bar and good thought that comes their way.

“As you can expect, deploying has hit pretty hard on some of the soldiers,” wrote David Pelkey, executive officer of Bravo Company 4-12 Infantry after receiving Gregory’s introductory letter. “A big part of relieving the stress is hearing from people back in the states. It’s a big morale booster.”

To join the effort, send letters to B Company, 4-12 INF., TF 2-68 AR, Operation Joint Endeavor, APO AE 09789. More information: (714) 744-5500.