Local Heroes, a non-profit organization made up of volunteers who support our troops currently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan by shipping “care packages”, were recently honored with the presence of two returning local heroes at their regularly scheduled Wednesday evening meeting at the Knights of Columbus in Wilmington. LCPL Doug Hutchison and PFC Daniel J. Bowse stopped by to thank everyone for their work
LCPL Doug Hutchison, of Wilmington, arrived home several weeks ago from his deployment in the Al Anbar province of Iraq where he patrolled the Al Qa’im, on the Syrian border.
After spending much needed time with family and friends, Hutchison returned this week to 29 Palms in California where he will continue training for his second deployment in January of 2008.
Hutchison, who received two purple hearts during his eight months in Iraq, (but in modesty would not talk about them) said, “being back in the states where I’ve lived and where my family lives is outstanding! I definitely have a greater appreciation for everything and everybody, especially all of those people at Local Heroes who are working at sending packages over there.”
Hutchison speaks highly of the Local Heroes Program, “It is a fantastic project and we all appreciate it so much and there are people who don’t receive many packages and we passed their names on and the Local Heroes sent them packages.”
One of the most unique things Hutchison received in a package was also one of the most fun; it was Nerf guns. “We spent the whole day shooting each other with Nerf guns. It was a great workout and a lot of fun.” It was a great stress relief and brought many laughs to the group.
Hutchison wants everyone to know that “sometimes we don’t always get the call and we might be too tired to make the call, but family is always in our hearts and minds.”
PFC Daniel J. Bowse of Tewksbury, age 19, has served 4 months in Afghanistan and is now home with family and friends before returning for the remaining 12 months of his deployment. After serving in Afghanistan and returning to Tewksbury Bowse said, “It definitely makes you appreciate everything a lot more when you are back here.”
Bowse is a Combat Engineer with IED Roadside. The IED (Improvised Explosive Devises) Roadside unit searches for and destroys roadside bombs. There are 28 people in Bowse’s platoon. They are appreciative of the work the group Local Heroes does in shipping care packages. “It boosts morale to know people are thinking about you back home,” said Bowse.
Bowse has received soaps, socks, candies, letters, t-shirts and more, but by far the most meaningful and unique thing Bowse has received inside of a care package was a whiffle ball sent by his 12 year old younger brother with a note that read “keep practicing” so they could play again when he returns home.
If Bowse could tell people anything it would be to “Get to Local Heroes and send more packages.” The packages make a huge difference in troops lives and in their morale.
According to their website, Local Heroes has mailed 3,887 packages as of June 16, 2007.
Many of Local Heroes volunteers are family members of the troops and they use the weekly meetings as a support group. The group meets every Wednesday evening at the Knight of Columbus in Wilmington. If you would like to learn more about this organization please check out the website at www.mass-localheroes.org.
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