Fort Drum Delivery an “Eye-Opening” Experience
College Chaplain Rev. Eric Detar had mixed emotions when the last of the College’s three shipments to the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) in Afghanistan was “returned to sender.”
“I was disappointed that our Keuka College t-shirts and various supplies didn’t get to the soldiers but on the other hand, ‘return to sender’ meant that they had returned home and I was happy for them,” said Detar.
Detar’s emotions turned to all-out joy when he, Resident Director Tim White and three students presented the t-shirts to their adopted platoon in person at Fort Drum Nov. 18.
“We were invited to attend the CAB’s uncasing ceremony,” said Detar, who was accompanied by Samantha Chesnut, a freshman sociology major from Mexico, N.Y.; Kathryrn Drueschler, a freshman childhood education major from East Aurora; and Amanda Collins, a sophomore early childhoodASL major from Manchester, Conn.
When CAB deployed to Afghanistan two years ago, its colors were cased—taken down, rolled up, and placed into a protective case. Upon its return to Fort Drum, where it is part of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, the colors were uncased, unfurled, and flown.
During the ceremony, Col. Pedro Almeida, CAB commander, thanked the families and friends who supported their soldiers throughout the deployment and expressed his appreciation on behalf of the brigade to the organizations and individuals who supported the unit’s soldiers through the Adopt-a-Platoon program, according to The Mountaineer Online.
“Every platoon in the unit had a least one sponsor,” said the colonel. “For all of you, we deeply thank you for your support.”
The colonel’s thank you was followed by applause from members of the brigade.
“That meant a lot to all of us,” said White, who was speaking for the other four members of the Keuka contingent and everyone back on the Keuka Park campus.
Along with the Center for Spiritual Life, the Rotaract Club adopted a platoon (10th Mountain Division’s public affairs office) and provided the leadership for the Adopt-a-Platoon effort on campus. Fund-raisers, organized by campus clubs and organizations, and donations allowed the College to ship magazines, DVDs, food, books, letters, Christmas cards, and more to those helping ensure the security of Afghanistan.
“The soldiers told us many times how grateful they were that the Keuka College community was thinking of them,” said Detar. “They appreciate the little things.”
The third shipment never made it to Afghanistan but the return to senders will never forget their in-person delivery. They toured Fort Drum, had their picture taken in front of an Apache helicopter, and had lunch with members of “their” platoon.
“It was an eye-opening experience,” recalled Detar. “The soldiers gave us an idea of what their daily routine was like in Afghanistan. They made life and death decisions every day.”
The Keuka contingent learned that 12 members of CAB were killed during its last deployment.
“That puts everything in perspective,” said Detar. “War seems so far away at times, it seems unreal. Meeting our soldiers and seeing these families reminds us that it’s all very real.”
The brigade will again deploy to Afghanistan in 18 months.
“We plan to adopt the same platoon when it returns,” said Detar. “It was great to connect with [the soldiers], to hear their stories and to get to know them personally.”
Many thanks to Kathryn, Samantha, Amanda, Tim and Eric for taking the time to travel to the home of the 10th Mountain Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade, to deliver in person, the care packages provided by the Keuka College community. I am sure your visit was a fantastic one, a trip you will always remember. To talk with the soldiers who deployed to keep our way of life secure, I am sure was fascinating and enlightening. I am grateful of the service provided by our military and the professionalism in which they do their job. Their unselfishness in a time of war (and peace) is a core value within the military, a way of living. Thank you again for your making ‘their day’, giving them love and support for the efforts they have given all of us for so long. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season. Sincerely, Scott Williams
As a prior serviceman, I can only reiterate how much support like this means to those soldiers. So many have given so much during this war for so long. These actions help them to know that the war has not been forgotten by their fellow Americans and serves to reinforce to them why they serve the country as they do. Great job.