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Individuals look for just the right gift to give a loved one on a day that celebrates the “romantic” in us all.
We not only have the right, but also the time and freedom to read every available card until we discover that perfect one: the one that conveys our precise expression of love. We seek out soft stuffed animals, favorite candy flavors, long-stem roses, or key chains bearing the image of Cupid.
Deployed soldiers do not have the option of wandering through aisles in search of a card or gift to send back home. They do not have the luxury of stores or gift shops nearby. They sit on bunks, attempting to express feelings of love and loneliness as they draw awkward, child-like hearts, pierced with angled arrows.
Soldiers picture a husband, a wife, a sweetheart they had to leave behind. Sadness sweeps over them, as they think of their loved ones who wait patiently for the mail each day, hoping for something tangible to hold close.
Part of each one's heart is half a world away, as a holiday celebrating love draws closer and closer. The soldier holds a sheet of lined paper in hand, wishing that this single page could transform itself into a carefully chosen present for the one they love. “Hearts From Iraq” is helping to make this happen.
Imagine the emotional reaction as a small box is placed in the hands of one who prays daily for the safe return of his or her soldier. Sent from thousands of miles away, this little package contains more than just a special Valentine’s Day card, and a box of candy or a soft, furry teddy bear. Filled with love, the box also holds the smile of a soldier, grateful for the kindness of strangers who allowed two hearts to join as one on Valentine’s Day.
Soldiers will have an opportunity to choose a gift to send back home to those they love just in time for Valentine’s Day. This project will prove that not only do we support our soldiers; we also recognize and appreciate the sacrifices made by the families of those who serve.
To help with the next holiday, please contact Arlene at arleneoneil@aol.com.
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Arlene R. O'Neil is the parent of a US Soldier, and Author of "Broken Spokes," a soon to be released novel. In addition to being an author, Arlene is an editor, a member of several blind dog lists, and is involved in animal rescue and transport. Currently, she resides in Connecticut.
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