The Saline Reporter
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Packing for the Platoon
Soldier's mom collecting for the troops
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 13, 2008
Photo by Sue G. Collins
Pam McIntire (left), holding her nephew, Bradon McIntire, and her husband, Doug (kneeling), are collecting supplies for their son's platoon bound for Afghanistan. Maplewood Lanes co-owner Mark Bulick and manager Becky Sheats say they are proud to support the effort and will have a bin at the bowling alley on Woodland Drive through the end of April.
A campaign to collect combs, calling cards and cold medicine for U.S. soldiers in her son's infantry platoon leaving for Afghanistan in June seems to be helping Pam McIntire cope with the fact that he's going to war.
Terry McIntire is finishing his training now at Fort Hood in Texas with Unit 2-26, third platoon of Bravo Company.
The men and women in Terry McIntire's unit will head to the mountain region in northeast Afghanistan soon, and Pam and Doug McIntire want to ensure every soldier is prepared.
"There is no (post exchange) or any shops where they will be," Pam McIntire said. "And, as I started getting things together for Terry, I really felt bad for those boys who might not be as fortunate. So, I decided to start collecting things for the whole platoon. Plus, it keeps my mind off his going so far away."
As McIntire talked about her effort with friends, fellow bowlers and the employees at Maplewood Lanes in Saline, where her husband, Doug, is a professional bowler, McIntire's enthusiasm spread. And now her decorated box overflows with donations.
Some league members have taken collection boxes to their businesses and offices to help.
"I didn't ask them to do this and am just so thankful for the efforts of so many people, and the owners and mangers here at Maplewood," McIntire said.
The Saline Area Girl Scouts held its annual Daddy-Daughter Bowling Party at Maplewood Lanes Saturday and girls brought letters and donations for the soldiers.
"It was so adorable seeing these girls with hand-written letters and bags full of gifts. I really appreciate it," McIntire said.
The McIntires are also selling candy bars at Maplewood Lanes and planning a fund-raiser bowling party for early May with proceeds helping to pay for postage to send the donations to the soldiers overseas.
McIntire credits the owners at Maplewood Lanes for opening their arms to her family's concerns and contributing the space for the collection boxes.
"Jerry and Mark (Bulick) and Bill (Howard) are just so nice and want to help in any way," she said.
Support is also coming from bowlers Howie Hammon and Bruce Ellenwood, two war veterans who helped build the list of needed supplies and are planning to have a heart-to-heart conversation with Terry McIntire and the family before he goes to Afghanistan.
"They ask every day about Terry and want to help him understand what to expect," said McIntire, who feels her son has been very well trained by the U.S. Army and will be well-equipped for his tour of duty.
Still, if she can help equip the troops with some additional supplies to make their 15-month tour more comfortable, it's the least she can do.
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