The Sunrise Exchange Club of Faribault recently made a contribution of “bore snakes” to the local group of Operation Minnesota Nice, which provides support and comfort to those serving in the Armed Services by sending care packages to troops. Operation Minnesota Nice has forwarded over 200,000 pounds of food, personal items, and equipment to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bore snakes are used by troops to clean their rifles, which is a particular concern in Iraq where blowing sand requires frequent rifle maintenance. Pat Ceplecha, a representative from Operation Minnesota Nice, was present at a recent meeting of the Sunrise Exchange Club to receive the bore snakes. Presenting the items to Pat are Larry Muehlenbein, President of the local club, and Brad Haugen.
Operation Minnesota Nice Mission Statement is: We provide support and comfort to those serving in our armed forces. We are committed to making a difference in the lives of those that are serving abroad in a time of conflict.
Operation Minnesota Nice does not take a position on where or why the troops are deployed. We are simply here to offer a reminder that they are our heros.
History of Operation Minnesota Nice from their website. http://www.operationminnesotanice.com/In the early part of 2004 our founder Denise Jorgensen learned that a son of a close friend was deployed to Baghdad Iraq. Ben Kruse was serving with the 1st Cavalry out of Fort Hood Texas.
During his tour, many of their family and friends took turns every three to four weeks, sending packages of small reminders of home and simple necessities he might need.
In return for this generosity, when he would call home to catch up with his mom Vickie and she would then in turn email updates to all of us.
It was in one of these updates that Ben said "it's so great to get these packages from home. I have been sharing mine though. There are guys over here that get very little from home. There are even some that don't get anything. They are feeling forgotten. They feel like once everyone at home turns off their evening news, that no one cares about Iraq".
This pulled at the hearts of anyone that read the words of a young soldier who was so concerned for his newly formed family living in the middle of a war. The thought of them being so far from home and feeling so forgotten was too much.
As a result of those words, Denise asked Ben for the names of these soldiers, as she would like to adopt them. She told him that in exchange for these names she would commit to send them a box every three to four weeks and see that they never feel forgotten again.
The first boxes were small. Some snacks, playing cards and of course the always requested beef jerky. Both boxes were then personalized with a letter written to each of them.
Soon word spread amongst Denise's family and friends about the soldiers and the simple items that were sent. Everyone wanted to contribute or adopt his or her own soldier.
Within two months we were up to 17 soldiers all over Iraq and Afghanistan and 10 volunteers and it only continued to grow.
Currently we are upto 1100 volunteers, matched to as many soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.
As long as there are brave souls serving our country fighting in foreign lands in a time of conflict our group has committed to remain active.
