GIFTS FROM IRAQ — Maryann Schlaak was the proud recipient of some special gifts from a soldier stationed in Iraq. The two became acquainted through the Operation Minnesota Nice campaign. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
We have all heard the expression, “Minnesota Nice.”
In fact, there are about 20 local residents who practice “Minnesota Nice” on a regular basis by sending treats and necessities to troops stationed in the Middle East. The motto of Operation Minnesota Nice is “To make a difference, one package at a time.”
To that end, some have developed a unique relationship and communicate on a regular basis. Maryann Schlaak of New Richland has been sending Army Specialist Roletta Goldsby from Macon, GA boxes of goodies starting in July of 2010. Around Christmas, Schlaak received a package of her own in the mail.
“I was really surprised,” said Schlaak. “When I opened the box, there was a shawl and an American flag which had flown over the Army base in Iraq. That was real special for me; I think I started to cry.”
Specialist Goldsby is attached to the postal unit of the Army’s 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry stationed at Camp Ramadi, Alanbar Province, Iraq. The American flag she sent Schlaak flew over her base on December 5, 2010. She is a single mother of two boys, ages seven and four.
“Roletta told me her mother was watching the boys while she was deployed,” said Schlaak. “She was granted a two-week leave around Christmas. She talked about her boys quite a bit.”
The items Schlaak and the rest of the Minnesota Nice group send over to the soldiers can vary from special treats to personal care items.
“We were told not to send chocolate in the summer,” said Schlaak. “The intense desert heat would just melt it. The troops like to receive crackers, granola bars, stuff which reminds them of home. Baby wipes are in high demand over there with the heat and the sand. A unique request we received was for flea collars. The sand fleas can be a nuisance. The troops put the collars around the legs of their cots and it helps to keep the fleas away.”
Schlaak and the rest of the Operation Minnesota Nice group meet once a month to fill more boxes of goodies destined for our troops overseas. The group is led by Sheila Lutz of New Richland.
“Sheila has done a wonderful job of organizing our group,” said Schlaak.
Specialist Goldsby returned to the states in March of this year and Schlaak hopes to one day meet her in person. Many troops still remain in Iraq however, and the Operation Minnesota Nice group will keep sending our servicemen and women packages to show support and to let them know people do care.
“You don’t know when they will be coming home,” said Schlaak. “We don’t want them to get lost, like what happened in the past.”
For more information on Operation Minnesota Nice, or to donate items, people are urged to contact Sheila Lutz (507) 465-8629 or on the Web at www.operationminnesotanice.com.
