As American troops move into position for the war against Iraq, many Burlington County residents are looking for ways to support those men and women on the front lines.
From yellow ribbons to care packages sent overseas, the home front will play an important role in keeping up the spirits of American soldiers as they fight in the Middle East.
"When our servicemen and women get a letter from home or a package of goodies, they know we are all thinking of them," said Pamela Bates, who started Hugs to Kuwait in January when her 27-year-old husband, Sgt. Daniel Bates, was deployed to Kuwait with his Army unit.
Hugs To Kuwait, which Bates runs from her home at Fort Benning in Georgia, is an adopt-a-soldier program that is now seeing thousands of re-quests a week from citizens around the world who are looking to write to those serving in the Middle East.
"The response has been overwhelming," she said. "I started this just for the members of my husband's unit, but now we have expanded to all branches of the military."
In the past eight weeks, Bates and her team of volunteers, many of whom are military spouses and children, have "adopted out" more than 20,000 soldiers who asked to be part of the program.
"I am working about 16 to 18 hours a day, but it's OK because right now, I'm not able to get much sleep," Bates said. "This has become a passion for me."
Bates created a Web site, http://groups.msn.com/HugsToKuwaitAdoptASoldier, for the program.
She said letters and care packages are greatly appreciated by the men and women of the armed forces. "Baby wipes are like gold over there," she said. "They can only shower about once a week now."
She also suggested black crew socks, power bars, body wash, powdered drinks and military T-shirts.
Bates is working with the nonprofit Operation Military Pride, which also provides names of servicemen and wom-en to supporters who want to send care packages.
"Anything they can carry with them easily, they can use," Bates said.
Those who want to sign up to adopt a soldier, can register at www.operationmilitarypride.org
Many Burlington County residents already are showing their support with bumper stickers. The Burlington County Military Affairs Committee has handed out more than 5,000 "We Support Our Troops" bumper stickers since making them available March 10.
"We have more on order," said executive director Ed Kelly. Those interested in obtaining a bumper sticker should call (609) 265-3183.
Kelly said flying Old Glory is another way to show support.
"It's been a lot busier than normal," said Bill Critchfield, the owner of The Flag and Gift Shop in Cinnaminson. "We started to pick up a bit last week. People are buying everything from American flags to armed forces flags."
The "Support Your Troops" flags, which are sold out, are very popular, he said. He ex-pects a new order of the flags by Monday.
"I think it means a lot to our troops when they see the support back home," Critchfield said.
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