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Soldiers in Iraq ask Clay Co. for fleece blankets
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| By: Marsha Habluetzel, Clay County Child Care |
October 30, 2009 |
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By Marsha Habluetzel
Clay County Child care
Calling all Clay County citizens who are handy with a sewing machine!
Iraq-stationed soldiers are asking Clay County to make fleece blankets for them. A total of 135 blankets will need to be prepared; only the most basic sewing skills are needed for the project. The project has the endorsement of the Mayor's office and the County Commissioners.
The story behind the project is this: Keith Dial, a member of the 701st Brigade Support Battalion in Iraq, now serving his third deployment there, really enjoys the double-layered fleece blanket his wife, Misty, made for him. By the way, Misty Dial lives in Clay Center and works at Clay County Child Care.
Although Iraq has killer heat during the day, at night the temperature can fall 30 or 40 degrees, and the men who have gotten acclimatized to the heat find themselves unpleasantly cold as they sleep. Dial says that after he bragged on the warmth of his blanket, his blanket began mysteriously disappearing, as various members of his unit 'borrowed' it in order to get warm for a good night's sleep.
In addition to helping the men sleep warmer, the blanket represents, for want of a better word, "home." It is a colorful reminder of the homes and families, and life style, the soldiers have left behind.
In a phone call to his wife, Dial asked if there was any way she could sew up another 135 blankets like his, for his troops at Christmas.
Realizing that the project was beyond her capabilities, Dial sought the help of Mayor Sharon Brown, who asked the Clay County Commissioners to get behind the project, not with dollars, but with moral support. Because this unit is part of the 4th Brigade, which Clay County has already officially "adopted" as part of last year's Army Community Covenant, the project seemed appropriate for a county-wide effort.
"The fleece blanket is really easy to make," Misty said. "It takes two lengths of fleece (each 2.5 yards long) sewn together. Sometimes the blankets are also tied (as in a quilt)." An instruction sheet is available at City Hall for those who would like step-by-step directions.
In order for the blankets to be in Iraq for Christmas, they need to be mailed the first week of December. Completed blankets can be dropped off at the City Hall or the Clay County Child Care Center by the end of November. Misty will pack up the blankets and make arrangements for military shipping.
Those who sew blankets are welcome to pin a note or a Christmas card to their blanket for the soldier who will be the recipient.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can assist with this project.
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©Clay Center Dispatch 2009
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Chester W |
Nov, 02 2009 |
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I think we owe it to our troops to sew sleeves onto our blankets. This way, they can stay warm and hold onto their rifles. It is 2009 after all.
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Donna Fisher |
Oct, 30 2009 |
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What a wonderful way to help our soldiers feel a little bit of home. My husband and I are going to join in this project. Thanks for the idea.
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