Posted on 12/16/2009 5:42:38 PM PST by SandRat
Deputy Garrison Chaplain Lt. Col. Doug Wootten helps carry two of 106
bicycles that were purchased through the efforts of the
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Battalion on Fort Huachuca.
(Ed Honda • Herald/Review)
FORT HUACHUCA — For six years, those who are involved in the unmanned aerial systems program at the Black Tower area of the post have been purchasing and putting together trikes and bikes to be given to children of soldiers as Christmas presents.
This year, the largest number of the two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles — 106 of them — were presented to the Post Chaplain’s Outreach Ministries on Tuesday morning.
Noting that when he arrived on the post, the annual program had been existence for some time, Lt. Col. Patrick Sullivan called the effort an example of “the special generosity” of the military, civilians and contractors who are part of the unit he commands, the Unmanned Aerial Systems Training Battalion, makes this time of year even more meaningful.
Since the program began in 2004, 489 tricycles and bicycles have been provided, he noted.
For Jim Callahan, who was involved in the program when it started, the special items for kids help bring people together.
A General Dynamics employee, Callahan said he visited the chaplain’s office one day in 2004 and asked what could be done to help kids of soldiers who may not have a Merry Christmas.
From that visit began the battalion’s bike program.
Everyone in the area where the pilotless planes are flown and where soldiers are trained to operate and maintain them takes part in the program.
This year in an afternoon, 31 bikes were brought out in cartons, and “by the end of the day they all had been put together,” he said.
Chaplain (Col.) Thomas Day, the senior fort chaplain, said the trike and bike gifts will make many children happy.
Josephine Moore, who runs the outreach ministries program, said every year she is concerned the needs of soldiers’ children will not be met but “every year God steps in and helps.”
That help comes from people like those assigned to the UAS battalion and the people throughout the fort and civilian communities, she said.
This year, the chaplain’s program is providing toys, clothes and shows to 632 children.
That could not happen without the help of people, she said.
As Moore sat in an old Quonset hut full of bags of items for the recipients who would begin picking up their items Tuesday afternoon, she said, “as bad as the economy is, people were generous, very generous.”
By the numbers
48
Bikes given, 2004
89
Bikes given, 2005
86
Bikes given, 2006
85
Bikes given, 2007
75
Bikes given, 2008
106
Bikes given, 2009
Such a neat thing when the season brings out the best in people.
Now, however, they cannot be given away unless accompanied by a helmet. So, the Toys for Tots program is asking for donations of helmets.
Ain't the nanny state great?
I uploaded it to youtube. I'll see if I can upload more.
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