BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq –
Editor's note: Senior Airman Amber Sams is currently deployed from Langley's 1st Services Squadron.
What began as a small idea soon became a big initiative for an Airman here. She had no idea what she was in for when she asked her small hometown of Morocco, Ind., for Christmas cards. But soon, the boxes started pouring in.
"Last time I was deployed through the holidays, the base exchange was in a tent," said Senior Airman Amber Sams, a 332nd Expeditionary Services Squadron recreation coordinator deployed from Langley. "They didn't have a wide variety of holiday greeting cards or any that were really cool so I thought it would be a good idea to provide cards."
It started with an e-mail to her stepmother, and soon the whole town -- a population of approximately 1,150 -- was involved, sending more than 2,000 cards to date.
Ms. Marlene Taden, Airman Sams' stepmother and major contributor to the program, said the people of Morocco felt a sense of duty and wanted to support deployed servicemembers any way they could.
"Our town is exceptional with helping out good causes," Airman Sams said. "We are a rural Indiana community that, when asked, will all pitch in and help. We are proud of our troops."
And so the Cards for Troops program was born.
"You're only as strong as your support system," she said. "And if you don't have a strong connection with that support system, it could potentially hurt your focus on the mission here. What I'm trying to do is bring my fellow servicemembers morale up and help them get through the holidays."
For the past few weeks, she has used her off-duty time to disperse the cards.
Some were sent to remote forward operating bases; some were kept for people here; and some she kept for extra special recipients -- like wounded members at the Air Force Theater Hospital and Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility.
"It was more than just helping them get Christmas cards home, it was about listening to their stories and giving them another face to look at besides doctors and nurses," she said.
Patients and staff members alike were impressed with the Airman's holiday spirit.
"It makes me feel well taken care of," said Sgt. 1st Class Jared Pruitt, a CASF patient. "It's nice to know there are people out there doing more than just their job, and trying to make us feel at home. It's so hard to get to the exchange and shop. It's a wonderful thing they're doing."
Tech. Sgt. John Lafauci, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron intensive care ward shift leader, agreed noting the volunteers' friendly faces spread welcomed holiday cheer throughout the hospital.
"It's great for others to come and help at the hospital," he said. "We get so busy with medical care we can't always sit and chat. The volunteers help with that a lot, and we really appreciate that and the patients too -- especially during the holidays."
Airman Sams said the project was a huge undertaking, but as a services troop, it's her job to provide support and morale and she couldn't think of any better way or time than to help during the holidays.