As the media’s coverage of the war in Iraq has waned, Cathy Caryl’s ongoing, and very active interest in the conflict has only strengthened her commitment to helping the troops.

Caryl, the Island County Central Services director, and Diana Vaughan, Central Services assistant director, teamed up and spearheaded an effort to not only give American troops a little piece of America, but to also provide essential items for the men and women.

That was almost two years ago.

Caryl has become adroit at navigating the labyrinth that is her guest house and commissary. She began sending packages to soldiers overseas in November of 2006. At this point over 380 packages have been mailed.

“The Coupeville Post Office workers smile when they see me coming,” she said. “They know why I’m there.”

The exponential increase in packages mailed is proportional to the appreciation she has received from soldiers, sailors and Marines. The already full-plated, seasoned, nearly 30-year Island County veteran has become accustomed to receiving letters of thanks for sending over items ranging from Pringles, to toothbrushes, to feminine products men are loathe to discuss.

“They want their junk food, of course,” Caryl said. “But I really focus on the women. They have a difficult time getting items over there.”

A recent package arrived for Caryl with a letter of gratitude and an unexpected, very special gift: an American flag that made the trip safely from Iraq to Oak Harbor after being flown on the Marine base in the Middle East.

“It was so touching. I don’t do this for recognition, but the gratitude just floors me,” she said. And the gratitude reached a new high when she sent a PlayStation 2 Guitar Hero game.

Caryl’s smile is a testament to the adage that it is truly better to give than to receive. That’s not to say she doesn’t get chills from the heartfelt letters.

“Words can’t express how much the care packages you sent mean to us,” wrote soldier Gilbert Garcia. “All the goodies were distributed to all of us and everybody stopped what they were doing and enjoyed a moment of peace and conversation about home along with good junk food. It was awesome!”

Garcia also painted a vivid picture of the female soldiers shedding their inhibitions as they Hoovered cookies and granola bars and unabashedly relaxed with full mouths and contented, albeit contorted, expressions.

Marine Karen Rudolph candidly described at length her life in Iraq. Caryl’s boxes have become a staple of that life.

“The guys know to look for your name and the women asked how you are doing and if we have heard from you,” Rudolph wrote, joking about becoming a sailor and getting stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Another Marine, Steven Giard, was inspired by Caryl’s kindness and what it really represents. He wrote his feelings on a page chockfull of Marine signatures and words of gratitude.

“It’s wonderful to know Americans support and care for one another,” he wrote. “What you do we cherish.”

Caryl cares for all soldiers, but there is one in particular who owns a significant portion of her heart. She and her husband Greg took in a 16-year-old boy named Erik five years ago. Through the love and support of the surrogate parents, he has been able to focus on the present and the future, placing the past firmly behind him where it belongs.

Erik’s present is a far cry from his life in Oak Harbor. The teenager the Caryls brought into their fold has grown up and he is now a soldier serving in Iraq.

“We’re very proud of him,” she said. When Caryl began the demanding project, Erik had not yet enlisted in the Army.

While the Central services director was searching for ways to help raise morale among the troops, she came across the Web site www.anysoldier.com. Concerned that donations to agencies can get misplaced, the site was ideal, as it provided names and specific needs or wants. A flood of donations and literally loads of help from members of Soroptimist International of Oak Harbor and Coupeville helped jump-start the effort.

Although unwilling to admit it, the Caryls have dug into their own wallets to help provide the intrepid recipients exactly what they want.

With no ending to the Iraq conflict in sight, when will Caryl wrap-up her efforts?

“When the war ends or I run out of money,” she said.

At this point, Caryl’s guest room is sufficiently packed. Monetary donations, however, are always welcome.

For more information about making donations, contact Caryl at catc@pioneernet.net.

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