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“Operation Pillowcase” brings a piece of home to deployed Airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ian Carrier
  • 386 AEW/PA
CAMP BUCCA, Iraq --  Supporting the War on Terror can take on many forms. There is the obvious, enlisting and serving in our military. Then there are more subtle ways, such as one community on the home front found.

The town of Concord, Calif., has created and donated 500 patriotic pillow cases to members of the 886th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron stationed at Camp Bucca, Iraq. The 886th is an Air Force unit working on the front lines in jobs that traditionally would be done by the Army.

Spearheading the project was Mrs. Deborah Burrow, mother of Airman First Class Paul Beasley. "Operation Pillowcase" started as a simple project for her son and his friends, but quickly evolved into much more.

"My original idea was simple," said Mrs. Burrow. "Send nine patriotic pillowcases to my son, Paul, and his close friends to show my love and support. But somehow, my mother decided to take this project a step further and asked our community to participate in this huge undertaking. They jumped right in and have dedicated many hours of sewing, shopping for yards and yards of material, collecting donations and writing of cards of thanks. Our community was so thankful and grateful to have a project that showed their support of our troops."

Lt. Col. Paul Scholl, commander and Chief Master Sgt. Deno Mackin, the Security Forces Manager for the 886th, endorsed the project whole-heartedly. "This is another example of the support America has for its troops in harm's way," stated Lt. Col. Scholl. "The fact that this comes from the families and community of one of our Airmen makes these pillow cases even more extraordinary."

"Lt Col Scholl and I wish to express our gratitude to you and your community of Concord, California. It truly is a blessing knowing we have such great Americans supporting our Airmen performing such an important mission within the global war on terrorism. We all have family members back in the United States that we miss dearly...what may seem like a small token on your part to organize such an undertaking as "Operation Pillowcase," is huge in our eyes. Such actions go a long, long way in bringing a piece of America right here to Iraq," said Chief Mackin in a letter to Mrs. Burrow.

Master Sergeant Randy Bridenthal, the 886th's first sergeant added, "It is amazing what a simple gesture such as a pillowcase can do to lift the spirits of our fellow Airmen"

"Operation Pillowcase" was such a success that the community of Concord is not stopping with Camp Bucca. "As a matter of fact, these lovely ladies do not want "Operation Pillowcase" to end," said Mrs. Burrow. "Therefore, they have decided to continue sewing and will donate their beautiful pillowcases to my Chapter of the Blue Star Moms "Wounded Warriors" program. So, what was started as a nine pillowcase project will continue on its bigger mission of supporting our troops."