Victory Boxes aid war effort

Published Aug. 10, 2007
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- A cardboard box full of toothpaste, clothes and used toys isn't worth much here.

But in Iraq or Afghanistan, the same box could save hundreds of lives - and possibly help the United States win the war on terrorism.

That's the concept behind Victory Boxes, a national program recently launched here by Maj. Jason Gross.

The effort gives citizens and servicemembers empty mailing boxes addressed to military members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Participants then fill the boxes with whatever they can - school supplies, used toys, clothes - and ship them overseas.

Once the boxes arrive, members of the military distribute the goods to families and school children in Iraq and Afghanistan, locales where residents are often mired in poverty. The gesture helps build goodwill toward the military and often generates leads on where to find illegal weapons stores or explosive devices, said Major Gross.

"When you see some stranger walking through your town in combat gear, it makes a big difference when they give you something for your family," he said. "It just changes the dynamic of the relationship and it really builds trust."

Major Gross, who is the command lead for upgraded early warning radar at Air Force Space Command headquarters, has seen the transformation first-hand. Deployed to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad until earlier this year, he worked with Victory Boxes to have shipments mailed to him and other servicemembers he knew in the area.

Distributing the packages at two nearby schools, Major Gross said the benefits to both the military members and the citizens were evident.

"To have an opportunity to put a smile on a kid's face when you're homesick and away, it just makes all the difference," he said. "And the Iraqis just appreciate everything so much. You could see it on their faces."

Returning to Colorado in January, Major Gross wanted to spread that feeling to servicemembers and citizens in Colorado Springs. He launched the state's first Victory Box program this spring and has already distributed roughly 200 boxes for people to send out.

He'd like to do even more. In the coming months, his goal is to contact groups - from churches, to colleges, to scout troops - and get them interested in the effort. He has also enlisted several servicemembers and employees on Peterson to help get the word out.

"I think so many people, even military, just feel like, 'Let's get out of here, there's nothing we can do', but that's not true," he said. "It's not over. There's so much left to be done, and there's so much work that can be done, by us. That's what I want to show people."

Staff at the Pikes Peak Library District recently got the message. With Major Gross' urging, the district's staff organization, a group of library employees dedicated to charitable causes, organized a supply drive for the boxes through e-mail.

After one month of gathering donations, they shipped 25 regular-sized shipping boxes and five extra-large ones to Fort Carson Soldiers in Iraq. Pat Masias, president of the PPLD staff organization, said it was one of the largest responses the group has ever received for a cause.

"People wanted to support our military, and, also, I think people were very touched that it went to Iraqi children," she said. "Everybody's touched by this war, and we just hope that it helps, that it changes somebody's life or helps them to be safe out there."