Legion posts assemble kits for returning soldiers

Arriving home after a trip and discovering you're out of something is an inconvenience.

Arriving home after a year away and realizing you're out of everything is part of the challenge a single soldier faces after deployment.

That is a situation thousands of Fort Drum soldiers have encountered, but the Jefferson County American Legion family has stepped in to help soldiers eliminate some of the everyday concerns that can greet them when they return home.

Legions in the county have donated and distributed 6,400 "welcome back" kits full of hygiene products or cleaning supplies that a soldier will need in his or her first 24 hours back on base.

"When they come back from Afghanistan or Iraq, they can't bring most of these things back with them, like soap or toothpaste," said Fred B. Fitzpatrick, former commander of the county American Legion and chairman of the donation efforts. "This is just to get them through the night."

Before a unit deploys, single soldiers must clear out their quarters and put all of their possessions in storage. When they return to the barracks, they are assigned a room that is completely empty except for some government-issued furniture. All a soldier has with him upon returning from deployment is a rucksack, a duffle bag and small backpack. With limited space for personal items, things such as shaving cream or tissues are often left out. The soldiers return to an empty room, often in the middle of the night.

"It's quite an ordeal for soldiers when they come home and they can't get any hygiene products," said Robert E. Partridge, commander of Klock-Smith American Legion Post 1788, LaFargeville. "When they come in late at night, they can't get to the PX or wherever."

Volunteers with the American Legion, including members of its Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion, have collected about $18,000 in donations and assembled the kits in the three years since the program's inception, said Mr. Fitzpatrick, Brownville.

"We've had a great response. It's been overwhelming," he said. "It's just one of those things that you get doing, and someone tells you you can't do anything more, but your heart tells you you can."

To lessen the burden on volunteers, the Legion has been shifting preparation of the kits among various posts. This Saturday, workers will make 800 kits at the LaFargeville American Legion. Work will begin at 1 p.m., with several dignitaries from Fort Drum on hand, Mr. Partridge said.

Mr. Fitzpatrick said each kit costs about $2.85 to prepare. Colgate has donated toothpaste and toothbrushes, while a Vermont company has donated 10,000 bars of soap, he said.

Mr. Fitzpatrick said the program has the support of all of the county's legion posts, but "to continue the program we're going to need backing."

"Hopefully, we can continue it until they all come home," he said. "We are very proud of it."