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Veterans Day: Fairfield trio "adopts" more U.S. troops

By Cindy Mindell
Published: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 1:08 PM EST

 

BRIDGEPORT - Last month, three members of Congregation Rodeph Sholom received the "Being A Difference Award" from the Association of State Boards of Accountancy Center for the Public Trust (NASBA CPT), an accounting trade organization. The presentation, at the Easton Public Library, came five years after the trio - Carol and Michael Weinshel, CPA, of Fairfield, and Carol's sister, Sue Spivack, of Bridgeport - started sending care packages to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, nearly 8,000 in all.

In October 2005, when the 159th Aviation Brigade was deployed to Iraq, the three "adopted" all 2,850 soldiers, and purchased, packaged, and shipped a Christmas gift for each one. They continued supporting the brigade with monthly gifts by theme - Valentine's Day, spring, and patriotism.

This fall, the three have adopted the soldiers of the 82nd Airborne who are being deployed to Afghanistan. Those 3,000 will also receive regular care packages.

The Weinshels have three sons, two of whom, Randy and Matthew, have served in the military. In 1995, Matthew was a new soldier, stationed in South Korea. Carol would mail him packages containing home-baked cookies, and learned that some of his fellow soldiers never received anything from home. "That was so sad," she says, and her packages got bigger, so that Matthew could share the food and other items.

Now 36, Matthew was part of the 159th Aviation Brigade who first received the packages. He serves in Afghanistan with the 117th Cavalry in Afghanistan.

Col. Jeffrey Colt, commanding officer of the 159th, attended the award ceremony last month. "You can't imagine the reaction of soldiers when they receive something like this," he said, as quoted in the Easton Courier. "They've literally supported thousands of soldiers they've never met, and asked for nothing in return."
Through their efforts, the Weinshels and Spivack have helped raise awareness of the importance of supporting U.S. troops. They never know where they will meet someone who wants to help. In May, the three flew to Cincinnati to cheer on Randy Weinshel, who was running in the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. While waiting in line for their return flight, an airline attendant remarked on a military lapel pin Carol was wearing and asked them to wait until all the other passengers had boarded. "She pulled out a few dollars and said, 'This is in memory of my dad; he served under Genl. Patton, carrying the dead back home," Carol says.

A Rodeph Sholom member, who is an optometrist, donated thousands of eye-wipes. A candy-company manager donated goods, and then refused to take money for shipping.

"Sue and Mike and I are really passionate about the project and really believe in it," says Carol, director of learning resources and technology at Helen Keller Middle School in Easton. "I share it at school all the time. The kids and staff know that if they want to ask about the wars, to come to me."

Carol says that, living so far away from the conflicts, it's easy to be oblivious to what American soldiers endure. Recently, she received an email from Matthew, celebrating the fact that his base had just been hooked up to a water source. "His unit had to clean themselves with baby wipes, and now they could finally take showers," she says. "We need to appreciate our soldiers and let them know we care. Every box we send has that message: 'We care, our friends and family wish you well, Godspeed.'"

Carol regularly recites "Prayer for Our Country" at Shabbat services. "People tell me, 'We don't think about the wars until we see and hear you,'" she says. "I'm the reminder, so that people don't forget."

The Weinshels and Spivack pay out of pocket for any items not donated, and for shipping materials and postage. To make a donation of funds or items, contact Carol at (203) 372-6004 or mica3@sbcglobal.net.

On Sunday, Nov. 8, Carol will introduce Col. Rabbi Nosson Sachs, a former Rodeph Sholom congregant who has served for 27 years as chaplain in the U.S. Army. Sachs will speak at Rodeph Sholom on "Gefilte Fish and Matzah in Saddam's Palace, Or When S'chach Grows in a Minefield." Tickets, including breakfast, are $7 per person. For reservations and more information: (203) 334-0159.

 

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Anthony Beatman wrote on Nov 8, 2009 8:40 AM:

" My name is Anthony Beatman, a Jewish US Soldier serving here in Iraq. I am originally from West Hartford, CT but not reside in Berlin, CT. I was wondering if they would like to help sponsor a CT unit? We are from Newington, CT.

My email is anthony.beatman@iraq.centcom.mil

Thank you in advance. "


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