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Since the beginning of "Iraq Freedom", packages have been sent
from Ponca City. The origins of "Operation Not Forgotten" began
the day after the conflict began under the title of "A Band of
Mothers Supporting a Band of Soldiers". My son, Timothy Rathbun,
is serving in the U.S. Army and at that time was serving with
the Charlie Battery of the Steel Warriors out of Fort Sill.
Another mother (Sandy Jones outside OKC) whose son was serving
with the same battery and I took on sending packages to make
sure not one soldier went without getting something from home to
show them our love and support. I further expanded this list to
include our local sons and daughters, which gave a list of 66
names combined. With the help of many friends and determination
we accomplished sending over 70 packages before the return of
the Charlie Battery a year ago Father's Day. A week after their
return, a letter was received from one of our local soldiers
stating how much the packages meant and how needed they were for
the soldiers.
It was then that a more firm established effort began to make
this operation a permanent outreach as long as it is need for
our troops and "Operation Not Forgotten" was officially born.
Today a total of 200+ packages have gone out to our troops from
Ponca City, Oklahoma. Operation Not Forgotten meets every
Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the American Legion here in Ponca City. We
are staffed at this point with four faithful volunteers each who
have a heart committed to see this operation continue due to our
family connection of a loved one serving our Country. Through
word in our local churches, with friends, donations have
continued to come in to send out to our troops. Many wonderful
local clubs Sertoma, American Legion Auxiliary, Corvette Club,
St. Lukes, St. Pauls, Via Christi, and others members of our
community we have been able to bless our troops.
Our list of soldiers continues to change as soldiers come home
and others are sent over.
Word of our operation is slowly spreading so others in the
community know we are here not only to donate but also to give
us their loved ones names who are serving our Country to add to
the list of soldiers to send to. There is nothing more uplifting
to our soldiers or their families than to be able to send a gift
of love and sunshine their way. My son after his return related
how much these packages meant to every soldier, and how he was
able to see them arrive as if by God's hand just when the
soldier needed the uplift the most, on their birthdays, when
they received sad news such as a loss of love at home, etc. This
is not just a operation to get some needed supplies to our
troops (travel size hygiene products, stationary,
books/magazines, individual size snacks, water, energy drinks, a
personal letter written from Operation Not Forgotten, average
cost to send package $10), but an operation of sending our
soldiers a smile, a warm embrace, and a sense they are thought
of and kept in prayer for their safe return home. Operation Not
Forgotten is in need of extra hands to help in the future
endeavors that are before us, we will continue with our quest
until each of our soldiers are home. Any word you are able to
get out in our community to help us let others know we are here
for our soldiers would be greatly appreciated.
Our current members include:
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Debbie Cain (twin sons
serving in Army, Andy and Brian Killingsworth)
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Theresa Rathbun
(brother serving in the Army, Tim Rathbun)
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Lorraine Straughn
(grandson serving in the Army, Tim Rathbun)
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Rose Rathbun (son
serving in Army, Tim Rathbun)
-
The Community
Contact numbers:
Debbie Cain
762-3968 or
Rose Rathbun
765-3007 (work- 765-0554) |
