How The Web of Support Was Woven.....
By: PJ
On Memorial Day 2004, I organized a Memorial Day Support the Troops Rally at the Legislature Building in Carson City, NV. At this event two huge banners were signed by members of the community with messages to our deployed men and women; however, once signed, I didn't have anyone to receive these gifts in Iraq or Afghanistan. Searching the internet I found Sgt. Chris Missick’s milblog "A Line in the Sand," and immediately contacted him...this was the beginning of an amazing journey of support and love for of our deployed military.
Sgt. Chris Missick was with Charlie Co., 319th Signal Battalion, and became my point of contact and dearest friend.....I adopted Chris and the other soldiers in his unit...sending goody boxes, cards and letters...this was my first experience, so it was learn as I go. Everyday I would read Chris's blogs to see what was going on and we would communicate via emails....it was the start of something neither one of us could foresee or even imagine.
During Chris's deployment, he received an email from a woman, Janis Galatas in Meridian, Mississippi. Her husband Norris, was ready for deployment and she wanted to know what it would be like for him, what the conditions were and through this initial correspondence they became friends. Unfortunately Norris was critically injured during his first several months in Iraq when his vehicle hit an IED. This tragedy was the beginning of a long journey as he was sent to Walter Reed Hospital for care. It was a very difficult time for everyone who knew Norris and his wife Janis, although the stalwart of strength was in great need of some love and support.
Chris asked if I would call Janis and see if I could help her...and I did.....what an amazing woman I found on the other end of the phone....with her southern drawl and friendly nature, I felt as if I knew her for years....when I asked what I could do to help she simply said " Give Norris a call" and gave me his telephone number. Hearing Norris's voice for the first time would never give any hint this man was in critical condition and faced a long road to recovery. I asked Norris what I could do for him and he said " Just take care of my guys"....at that time I had no clue who his guys were but I said " OK" I will do it for you. I had no idea there were several hundred men and women at Camp Dogwood, Iraq from the MS National Guard.
As I embarked on my project of adopting several hundred soldiers I knew that I could not adopt all of them and so Web of Support Soldier Adoption Program was created. Chris Missick had created this website for his use to thank so many American patriots for their support so he shared it with me....for this I will always be grateful. Web of Support has grown over the last several years, bigger than I thought possible without becoming a non-profit organization...we are and always will be a grass roots organization, run out of my home with over 325 adoptive families who have joined in adopting the men and women of our military.