Today's post comes to us from Angie Lanter, a Girl Scout Troop Leader from Forest Grove Troop 41283.
Angie's story: I was so happy to present my Girl Scout troop with possibly the most memorable gift they could receive. Last year during Girl Scout Cookie sales, our troop collected boxes of cookies to be sent overseas to military troops.
The girls collected 16 cases worth of cookies, and they were sent to the Marines, Navy, Army and Air Force Troops stationed in various places around the world. Some of the cookies were received by the 101st Airborne Regiment, stationed in Afghanistan. They were so appreciative of the kindness and hard work by the girls to put forth the time and effort to collect boxes of cookies and send them, along with letters and hand drawn photos, giving them a little bit of home.
In October I presented my girls with a U.S. Flag, which was flown on a combat mission in Afghanistan. The flag flew in a Chinook CH-47 Helicopter. To see the girls holding the flag - running their small hands over the stitching, admiring it, soaking in what it all meant and listening as I read the letter praising them for their generosity, and support, and praising them as true patriots - brought tears to my eyes.
I am so very proud of the girls, and all their hard work to collect as many boxes of cookies as they did. I know a lot of people think that the girls sell the cookies just to get the prizes, or to earn money for camp or field trips. But this group of girls did this for the right reason. They worked so hard at booth sales, and we now will have a flag, certificate and letter to put on display at our booth sales this year so that customers can see that yes, the cookies did go to the troops, and they can see just how much this really means to our military service personnel.
As I type this and look at the flag, re-read the letter and the certificate that came with it........makes me not only proud to be an american, but proud to be part of a great organization such as Girl Scouts.
