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Not just another Saturday
You would think that Saturday, June 25th was just an ordinary day in Nebraska but this was not true for the Soldiers‚ Grandma! Grandma Budke has sent over 1000 care packages to the military in Iraq and Kuwait since May 2003. This hot sunny day she got to meet these fine soldiers in person. Linnaea Budke was overwhelmed with joy when her dream came true.
It all began with the part of the 308th Transportation Company out of Lincoln, Nebraska, which had joined the 419th from Utah. Grandson SSGT Jarod Epp was a part of this unit and was deployed to Kuwait. Wanting to show support to her grandson, Linnaea Budke mailed care packages to him. Well, you know Grandmas, there was more than one package sent each time. SSGT Epp would share his numerous packages with the other soldiers, stipulating that they had to write Grandma a thank you note. The letters started coming in from soldiers and then Grandma Budke would send them their own package.
The idea then came to Linnaea's daughter, Charlynn Hamilton of Hayes Center, to start an Adopt-a-Soldier Program. Enlisting the help of area citizens, a military shower was held in McCook and Hayes Center. Volunteers to adopt a soldier and donations of cash, snacks and personal supplies were just overwhelming to the Budke Family and support of the Adopt-a-Soldier Program. Items were gathered, packed by Grandma and then sent in a package to Staff Sgt. Epp; he would give the package to a soldier serving in Kuwait/Iraq. The soldier wanting to be adopted would then write to the person's name in the box, thus adopting each other for the duration of their deployment. The whole purpose of the project was to brighten a soldier's day with a touch of home.
With the news getting out of these projects supporting soldiers, names and addresses were shared with the Budke Family from all over Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Utah. Units from McCook, North Platte, Kearney, Lexington, Fremont, Lincoln and Omaha were receiving packages from Grandma.
In May 2004, Master SGT Todd Paice of the 308th, nominated Grandma Budke to be the Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. The 1013th Army Reserves and 1057th National Guards from McCook had just returned home in April 2004. An open house was held to honor these soldiers and all of the military past present and future on May 2nd. Here the returning soldiers presented Grandma Budke with her Admiralship, a flag from SGT Steve Towery that had flow over Iraq and a photo album with all the military pictures from the area.
Before Epp and his unit returned home in June 2004, he asked his commanding officer who Grandma could send packages to. Captain Tim Sumovich of the 308th who had just arrived in Kuwait became the contact person distributing the packages to soldiers needing mail or a morale boost.
When grandson Jarod arrived at the Omaha airport, it was not too soon for Grandma and the rest of the Budke family. Jarod told Grandma about the lives that she had touched by her generous packages. He delivered a handful of thank you letters to her!
Encouraged by her children and seeing all of the letters from the soldiers, Grandma Budke decided it was her mission to continue to share a touch of home with those serving our great country in Iraq and Kuwait. Also remembering those that have been injured, packages have been sent to Walter Reed Medical Center then distributed by the Red Cross. She continues to send packages to any soldier who serves even though she no longer has any family members presently serving.
After all of their company had returned, the 308th wanted to honor Grandma Budke. They invited her to their "Welcome Home" celebration. At the event, she was presented with a "Support Our Troops Flag" that was signed by soldiers. A picture was taken with all of the 308th unit and their Grandma. All then greeted her with hugs and thank you for her packages.
Gathering Sunday June 26th at Antelope Park, Capt Tim Sumovich and Colonel Meyer from Wichita, thanked Grandma Budke with a crystal plaque inscribed with "Above and Beyond, Linnaea Budke. Thank you for your generous commitment of time support and inspiration to our troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom." The Certificate of Appreciation she received was for the "proud service and dedication exceeding the high standards of the United States Army Reserves. Your actions in support of the overseas deployment of the 308th Transportation Co., driven by your readily apparent sense of patriotism, should serve as a model for all others to follow. The kindness and compassion you displayed with your generous donation reflects the humanity that the Army Reserve counts on from the civilian community. Thank you for answering the call during America and her Soldiers‚ time of need." Charlynn Hamilton also received a certificate of appreciation for her work.
Linnaea and her family, while appreciating the recognition for their support, want to thank all the military for their service to our great country. They also ask their fellow citizens to join in the support of our troops serving overseas. You can do this by emailing soldiersgrandma@yahoo.com or writing to Charlynn Hamilton HC 62 Box 39 Hayes Center, NE 69032
Linnaea Budke lives in McCook, Nebraska. Her eight children are Shauna Stanton, Kearney, Nebraska; Tongay Epp, Columbus, Nebraska; Steve and Kevin Budke, North Platte, Nebraska; Taryn Witt, Casa Grande, Arizona; Dion Budke and Kif Huffman, McCook, Nebraska; and Charlynn Hamilton, Hayes Center, Nebraska.