ANAMOSA, Iowa (KCRG) – Oliver Young hasn’t seen his dad, Sergeant First Class Robert Young, in seven months – that’s when his National Guard unit was deployed to Syria.
It’s Sgt. Young’s second deployment since Oliver was born and his third in his 20 years with the Iowa Army National Guard.
Although Sgt. Young does his best to call twice a day, it’s a difficult nine-hour time difference for the second grader.
“It’s been hard because I can’t really talk to him a lot because he sometimes calls when I’m asleep and I don’t really get to talk,” said Oliver.
The holidays mark the halfway point for Oliver and his mom, Kelly.
To brighten up the Christmas season, Oliver decided to send cards and treats to his dad’s unit.
Oliver enlisted help at church and went to the Monticello library and local businesses with his grandmother asking for help signing cards and donating money for treats. He wanted to ensure every soldier felt loved.
“He raised his hand and asked if anybody in the congregation would like to help with his cards or any treats that they wanted to throw in the box and that they would ship them off with our stuff,” said Kelly.
The goodies totaled out to 600 cards and 3,800 snacks, which Kelly shipped overseas as two gifts for each service member in the company for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Once they arrived at the base, Kelly said it was like a “game of Tetris.”
“They had to get a UTV to bring all the mail specifically to his room,” said Kelly.
When they distributed the gifts throughout the company, Kelly said the servicemembers were “shocked.”
“They were not expecting a large gift bag, let alone two,” said Kelly. “If they know people haven’t been getting mail, they’ve worked with the chaplain to make sure those soldiers received a few extra snacks.”
Oliver said it feels good knowing he’s helping make his dad and his dad’s fellow soldiers smile.
“They have been very happy knowing that people care about them,” said Oliver. “We did that so they can have a little bit of Christmas with them, even though they’re not with their families.“
Kelly extended a “special thank you” to everyone who participated and got the gifts to the soldiers. She said they raised nearly $2,100.
Oliver said he was driven by pride for his father and a need to make all of the service members to know they’re in the hearts and minds of people back home.
His message – after a shy look up at his mom…
“Merry Christmas, soldiers.”
A Merry Christmas – and another day closer to a family being together again.
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