Published: March 26, 2008 03:34 pm            

Care package drive coming to Avon

AVON — At the Jan. 2 departure ceremony for the Indiana National Guard’s 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, its commander, Col. Courtney Carr, told the thousands packed into the RCA Dome to say their good-byes that support from families, friends, and communities is critical to its mission.

Sgt. Klay South of Greenwood is working to ensure these soldiers, part of the largest deployment from Indiana since World War II, get that lift.

South launched Operation Care Package 24/7 in November. Through its website, www.ocp247.com, citizens and businesses can sponsor soldiers by buying care packages that OCP ships directly to the troops.

The organization is now taking its first road trip to five Indiana cities. South and others will be at Wal-Mart here from 5:30 a.m. to midnight March 28 and 29. An RV will be in the parking lot. Shoppers can browse various items included in the care packages and buy however many they wish or make monetary donations. No tangible donations can be accepted because of safety and shipping reasons. Community leaders, state politicians, and other philanthropic groups, including the American Legion Riders, will be on site.

“We’re just trying to get the word out there for the soldiers, help them out a little bit,” South said.

More than 3,500 soldiers from the 76th were deployed. South’s goal is to send two packages to each soldier per month while he or she is serving. Donations to OCP also support Veterans of Valor, a program that helps wounded veterans. OCP is its main corporate sponsor.

A Marine for more than five years, South knows what the soldiers of the 76th are currently experiencing. He served two tours in Iraq and was awarded two Purple Hearts. South was shot in the face with an AK-47 on Veterans Day 2004 while clearing a room. The past three and a half years have entailed reconstructive surgery and rehab. Even though South is soon retiring from the Marines for medical reasons, he said, “I just want to continue serving my country and helping these young warriors.”

South’s mother Janet added, “He’s done an incredible recovery. He’s a hard-charger. To have such a traumatic brain injury that he couldn’t tie his shoe to where he’s at now is amazing.”

South says it’s especially important to recognize the 76th because these are reservists who are now full-time soldiers.

“That’s a big hit for somebody,” he said. “I think it’s harder being a reservist than active because your whole life stops as you know it and is transitioned over. That’s why it’s so important for us to let these soldiers know their home state supports them.”

Debate over the Iraq War’s validity continues, especially with this being a presidential election year and the recent observance of the operation’s fifth anniversary.

“The frustration for most people is the political aspect,” Janet South said. “You really do get worn out with politicians. The best part about OCP 24/7 and Veterans of Valor, they’re not political. We don’t care if a person is Democrat, Republican, Independent. This is about supporting the troops on the ground.”

wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com

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Online:

www.ocp247.com

        

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