Soldiers’ Angels: ‘May no soldier go unloved’

By SANDY LONG

NARROWSBURG, NY — If we can’t yet bring them home, at least we can send a bit of home their way, said Barbara Drollinger. The woman who also runs the Narrowsburg Ecumenical Food Pantry began corresponding with an American soldier stationed in Iraq at the suggestion of her daughter, Doreen Eldred, who learned about the program “Soldiers’ Angels” on television.

Soldiers’ Angels was founded in 2003 to provide aid and comfort to the military. The group’s motto, “May no soldier go unloved,” stems from one returning soldier’s declaration that some American soldiers never receive mail or care packages. His mother, Patti Patton-Bader, became determined to improve this situation. Today, the nationwide network of volunteers sends letters, care packages and comfort items to the deployed and also helps their families at home whenever possible.

The program involves sending a weekly letter and a monthly box of goodies to a soldier whose name and address is provided through the program. Items range from food to personal care products and more. Names of the soldiers are known only to the correspondent for purposes of confidentiality.

Drollinger’s other daughter, Donna Eskind, signed up and has since corresponded with several soldiers stationed in Iraq. The latest is a woman whose husband is serving there, too, and grandparents are raising the couple’s five-year-old son.

In many cases, the volunteer never hears from their soldier, but Eskind has received letters from hers. “Each time in her letters she has mentioned to me that she so appreciates the love and support. She writes that ‘mail is like gold over there,’” said Eskind.

Eskind’s soldier is highly appreciative of Eskind’s efforts. She shares the letters and care packages with other members of her platoon, and has expressed her gratitude repeatedly by telling Eskind that she, and others who take the time to write and send items from home, are the real heroes from her perspective.

Drollinger and Eskind enjoy participating in the program together. “It’s become a family activity that we can share,” said Drollinger. Eskind and her husband and 12-year-old son shop together for gifts for their soldier and the Iraqi children. “We always try to throw in something fun, like bubblegum, bubbles, jump ropes, flavored straws, etc., just in case she has any contact with the children.”

Drollinger hopes that more people will become Soldiers’ Angels. “I don’t think a lot of people know about the program, but it’s a great opportunity for people to get involved and to do their part,” she said. Eskind added, “I can not even begin to imagine what their life is like over there in the middle of a war. Just to send a card to let them know that we are proud of them and keeping them close in our thoughts means so much.”

Visit www.soldiersangels.org for more information.