Dec 2, 2002 By Christine Haines 3 min read

BROWNSVILLE – Although security restrictions make sending community presents to soldiers an impossibility this year, a program is under way in the Brownsville area to make sure soldiers’ families know they are appreciated. As part of a program dubbed Soldier of One, the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp., local churches, the Brownsville Rotary Club, the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce and the mayor’s office are gathering presents for the children of military personnel stationed abroad.

“I personally am very touched by this,” said Mayor Norma Ryan. “I think something we should be very cognizant of are those left behind by those who are protecting us.”

Military organizations cannot give out the names of local soldiers because of security reasons. The groups sponsoring the Soldier of One program are asking individuals who know of children whose parents are serving in the military overseas to provide the child’s name, age and address to either the Flatiron Building staff or the mayor. The information will be kept confidential, and only the child’s gender and age will be provided to those purchasing presents.

“This little thing that we can do is remember them with a gift. It’s not the size of the gift but the idea that someone is thinking of them. We need to remember them throughout the year, not just at the holidays,” Ryan said.

The initial concept was to send presents to the military personnel, but Jack Gordon, the chief of information for public affairs for the 99th RSC, U.S. Army Reserve, said that idea caused both security and logistics problems. Gordon said letter campaigns such as Operation Dear Abby have taken place since World War II, but the threat of anthrax has made accepting mail from unknown sources too risky for the military.

The increase in patriotism and support for the troops last year increased the number of cards and packages sent to the troops a thousand fold, Gordon said, making the delivery of that many packages to troops in remote areas improbable.

Gordon said the military is also unable to provide community organizations with information about the families of service members because of privacy regulations and for their security, though the families may voluntarily share that information with organizations.

“It all comes back to privacy, security and logistics,” Gordon said. “Because of Sept. 11, we don’t know what’s around the corner or the next bend. It’s sad when we have to say, ‘We appreciate your efforts, but… .'”

For more information about the Soldier of One program or to register a child for a present, call Candy Bastian at the Flatiron Building at 724-785-9331 or Mayor Norma Ryan at 724-785-3363. Gift items must be received by Dec. 20.