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I opened an email this weekend
that brought tears to my eyes.
It was a mass email from Kandie Candelaria pro-angler
from Canyon Lake, Texas,
to anglers in the WBT. The email
listed the names and military
addresses of soldiers in need of
mail and packages from home,
especially over the Christmas
holidays. I had just
finished addressing my Christmas
cards to family and friends the
night before. Reading the names
and circumstances on Kandie's
list just reminded me what
Christmas is all about.
The Candelaria family is a
military family. Kandie served in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corp
for 4 years. Her father was a "lifer" in the Air Force. Her
sister,
Specialist Anna M Candelaria, Army
1st Cavalry, Ft. Hood, Texas will possibly be heading
back to Iraq soon. Her job during her last tour of duty there
was delivering supplies and ammo to the front line. Kandie is
hoping her sister has a different job if she has to return to
Iraq.
Currently, Anna is on delayed deployment as she got hurt
(non-combat) in Iraq and developed a blood clot in her leg. She
just turned 38 years old and joined the Army 4 years ago at age
34. Anna had a hard time in boot camp because of her age, but
she stuck it out. Kandie is very proud of her. Anna is a single
mom with 3 children; a daughter in college, one in the 11th
grade and a son in the 7th grade.
Kandie states that "It seems that whenever there is a conflict,
a “Candelaria” family member is ready to serve."
She has made it her
personal mission since the war started in Iraq to send mail to
total strangers, family and friends in the military.
Patriotism and supporting
our servicemen and women is more than flying a flag or voting or
holding our hand over our heart when the national anthem is
played. While we are home with family and friends enjoying the
holidays and worrying about what we are going to buy for who and
planning the dinner menu for Christmas Day, there are soldiers
in need. Christmas is about giving. It will only cost us a
little of our time and the price of a postage stamp to let our
military know how much we appreciate the sacrifices they are
making in order for us to be safe and comfortable.
In addition to letters of
support, the soldiers are also requesting baby wipes, jerky,
board games, shampoo and conditioner. Toiletries in general are
the most requested along with powdered gatoraid, pre-sweetended
KoolAid, Crystal Lite, cookies, cards, books, candy (candy
canes) and mints. Kandie even recommends sending old issues of
Bassmaster Magazine. It takes about two weeks for items to make
it overseas to the proper destination.
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