Soldiers honor local 'angels' for support of troops

Sgt. Maj. Michael Eason, second from left, reads the certificate of authenticity that accompanies the flag he presented Saturday afternoon to members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Bernard Elbert Post No. 1652. Joining him for the ceremony are, from left, Jim Thompson, Navy Corpsman 1963-1985; Howard Mace, Navy, submarines, World War II; Joel Trexel, United States Marine Corp, 1969-1971; Cec Kotschswar, VFW Auxiliary; and Bob Nemechek, Army, 1968-69. (Dawn Cribbs/McCook Daily Gazette)

When Sgt. Maj. Michael Eason returned to the Fort Riley, Kan., from Baghdad, Iraq last December, his travels were far from over.

During his deployment with the U.S. Army's 2nd National Police Transition Team in Iraq, he and his team trained members of the Iraqi police, equipping them with the skills necessary to secure the public safety in war-torn Baghdad. The team traveled 6,858 miles from Fort Riley to Baghdad, leaving families and their own pursuits of the American dream behind.

However, thanks to Soldiers' Angels and similar organizations, part of America traveled with them, sending letters from home, emails, and care packages throughout their deployment.

Ernestine Smith of McCook, better known to Eason's team as the "Pistachio Lady" is one such volunteer, and so impressed Eason, he added McCook to his list of seven communities to thank, racking up frequent flyer miles and discovering Nebraska first-hand.

McCook was his last stop, after visiting North Carolina, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey and New York.

"This is it," said Eason. "These visits have given me a chance to thank everyone for their support."

Eason made the decision to express his thanks in person while he was still in Iraq. "I hate saying I'll do something and then not get it done. 'Git-R-Done' became my mantra, and here I am in McCook, getting 'er done."

Eason brought an American flag, once flown in Baghdad, to the VFW Post. He presented the flag to the membership, along with a photograph of his team in Iraq and a certificate of authenticity for the flag which reads:

"Multi-National Security Transition Command -- Iraq

2nd National Police Division Transition Team

Certificate of Authenticity

Is Presented To:

Bernard Elbert Post 1652

McCook, Nebraska

To certify that this American Flag was flown on 11 September 2007 over Forward Operating Base Justice, Baghdad, Iraq, an American base used for the support of the Global War on Terrorism and to synchronize all Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces activities of the Baghdad Security Plan. This flag symbolizes the sovereign power of the United States of America and the unshakeable resolve to keep our country and way of life safe for posterity."

It is signed by Eason and Col. Daniel B. Britt.

Several members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Bernard Elbert Post No. 1652 and the community, joined Ernestine at the post home Saturday afternoon to meet Eason and express their gratitude for his service while he expressed his gratitude for their support.

Smith was visibly pleased by Eason's visit, mostly because he has inspired her to continue to work as a Soldiers' Angel, and to encourage others to join her in supporting the troops while they serve.

"Be sure to mention 'Soldiers' Angels'" she said Saturday. "There's still a lot of work to do."

Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, incorporated in June of 2003 to provide aid and comfort to the men and women in uniform. It was founded by the mother of two American soldiers and now boasts a contingent of more than 200,000 volunteers in more than 20 teams and programs.

The slogan, "May No Soldier Go Unloved" provides a common vision of service for the volunteers who demonstrate active care and concern for veterans, the wounded, and deployed service members and their families.

More information is available at www.soldiersangels.com.