Children from the Alfano, Brockman, Cullinan, Frackiewicz, and Sundeen families pose for a photo to send to their serviceman friend in Iraq. (Courtesy photo)

In the spirit of the holidays, a 4-H group in Harvard got together in November to bake treats for a soldier in Iraq, a friend of one of the 4-H families. Children of the Alfano, Brockman, Cullinan, Frackiewicz and Sundeen families made 15 pans of goodies—an assortment of brownies, cookies, and bars—and shipped them off, along with a picture of all the bakers and cards and letters sharing news from home (“Go Sox! Pats are on a roll … We’ve had snow … .”). The U.S. Postal Service managed to get the package to its destination in five days, and within two weeks the group received this letter from Iraq:

“Today I received many boxes of goods from the Harvard 4-H club.

My guys are ecstatic. They were all ready to dig in and chow...but I said wait! We are setting up a special table with the picture of all the kids and the wonderful cards next to all the great food. My guys will read the cards and know exactly who the food is from and the thought put into it. I am hardened by this war but the kindness and generosity exhibited by adults and children back home has really softened me. It has rekindled my spirit and has given me an entirely different outlook toward the American populace.

My edict didn’t last long. In the time it took to write this paragraph, all the food is out on the tables, my guys are reading and eating and enjoying the picture of the children.

Please, please pass on our thanks to the kids and to anyone else involved with these wonderful care packages. Merry Christmas to you and your families; be sure to enjoy every minute with them. Take it all in and remember: all that we have and enjoy has never come free. Young Americans continue to pay the ultimate price for freedom, and your kindness has only solidified the cause. Everyone’s generosity has made our tour easier to endure and has given us a renewed spirit. God Bless.”

Lisa Frackiewicz, one of the 4-H leaders, said that anything sent to Iraq must be addressed to a specific serviceperson or it will be confiscated. Baked goods must follow strict guidelines to ensure they will not spoil in the desert heat.