The History of Operation Crawford County

Our organization was conceived over a year ago as the result of concerned citizens and businesses in Crawford County over the growing number of our residents, mostly very young men and women, who were being deployed to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan to join the fight against terrorism. Occasion meetings were held to exchange ideas and promote this activity to others. The idea eventually developed to expand this concept to draw support from the entire county population. At that time it was our vision to support the troops in any way we could, as well as provide support to their families on the homefront. should the need arise. We also thought it was important to raise awareness of their tremendous sacrifice. We adopted the name Operation Crawford County.

Marathon Ashland Petroleum Community Action Committee quickly put together the first recognition dinner for dependents and their families. In March a well-attended dinner for the families of deployed troops was sponsored by Operation Crawford County at American Legion Post 69, largely underwritten by MAP. Appearances and comments were made by U S Senator Tim Johnson, State Senator Dale Righter and State Representative Roger Eddy. Blue star flags representing a son or daughter serving in an overseas conflict were purchased by OPCC and presented to each family. Families were also asked to bring a poster of their family member to be put on display. To view photos of the evening go to our website at www.oppcc.org. These posters were on display at the Robinson Community Center for several weeks and many grade school classes took field trips to view them. They were later displayed in the window of the Chamber of Commerce office on the square in Robinson.

In April we held an informational County-wide meeting, which resulted in approximately 100 volunteers from all over Crawford County. There were money boxes and collection bins in various locations across the County, and these volunteers picked up donations and delivered them to our storage facility for sorting and boxing. Our first mailing was to 39 troops in June, then 42 in August. The cost of mailing alone has exceeded $500 per shipment. Another box was sent to the 1544th National Guard Unit in September. It is our intention to continue to send packages to these troops until they all return home.

We have given cash donations to families on two occasions.

In May families enjoyed a cookout at Robinson City Park. Comments were shared by various family members and miniature flags were given to the children present. SSgt Jeremy Patterson, U S Army, 10th Mountain Division, was home on emergency leave and spoke to the group about some of his experiences and some of the needs the troops may have.

At the present time, Operation Crawford County is fundraising by selling patriotic magnets to be placed on automobiles. The first 200 sold out in less than a week and more than paid for the postage for our boxes to be mailed. We recruited a 4-H group to sell the ribbons on the 4th of July at Robinson City Park and at the Labor Day celebration in Palestine. Another volunteer sold them for us at the Heath Harvest Festival and the Oblong Fall Follies. To date we have seen an approximate profit of $10,000. Together with donations by various groups and churches, we have raised approximately $18,000.

Memorial Day weekend saw approximately 65 individual signs placed on the utility poles up and down Main Street in Robinson. Each sign displays the single name and military branch of service of a troop now serving or having completed his/her Middle East tour. The Signs for Soldiers project was paid for by donations and almost solely organized and completed through the efforts of Robinson resident, Debbie Tedford. As of this Veterans Day, we have mounted 72 signs. Following Veterans Day it is our plan to start taking down the signs of those who have returned home and present the sign to the troop.

For the Heath Harvest Festival Parade in October we had a Wall of Troops made for our parade float and invited families and troops who were home to participate with us. We passed out magnets and patriotic paper jets to the children along the route. We also had an entry in the Oblong Fall Follies parade.

On November 5 Operation Crawford County appeared at the Senior Expo. Gregg Parrot spoke and we handed out patriotic magnets U of I Extention had made to put on the fridge. We had Christmas cards available for those attending the expo to sign for the troops.

Debbie Tedford has organized the making of new yellow ribbons to be placed on the poles on Main Street in Robinson.

At the present time we have packaged awesome Christmas boxes for each individual troop. We have a Christmas card drive going and these cards will be placed in those boxes before mailing. That mailing is scheduled for the Monday after Thanksgiving.

We have placed a large sign on the Courthouse lawn showing the names of all our troops who have served or are currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

We have a Christmas party planned for December 4, 2004 for the families of our troops.

Our mission is to convey to our troops and their families our deepest and most sincere gratitude for their service to our country. We are so proud to support them and hope that our efforts bring some source of comfort.

To send a donation make your check payable to CCDA/OPCC and mail to Marsha Peters c/o Twin Rivers CTE System, 301 S Cross, Suite 235, Robinson IL 62454.

For more information about OPCC contact Marsha Peters at 544-3910 or email her at marsha_peters@hotmail.com.