Windsor Soldiers Serving Overseas During the Holiday Season

When Mary Blodgett's two sons, Nicolas, 21, and Christopher, then just 18, signed up for the military, things moved quickly.  "I was devastated," said Blodgett.  "I was not pleased at all.  I was proud of them, but I just hoped and prayed they wouldn't be sent anywhere."  Blodgett said she went to bed and cried for 12 straight hours.

Once the boys were told that they were leaving for Afghanistan, the clock started ticking. "My husband knew for months ahead of time that they were going to Afghanistan.  They were afraid to tell me," she said. But they finally broke the news to Mary and the boys left for training in July.

Both Nicolas and Christopher are presently stationed in Afghanistan, and don't get to see each other often.  Nic's specialty is electrical, heating and plumbing, and his brother drives heavy duty vehicles, a job which is in high demand.  But, Mary has had to deal with not being in touch with them for long periods of time and not knowing what is going on or how they are doing. 

"Chris just came back from a job that was three weeks long and he missed Thanksgiving with his brother," she said.  "Nicolas just left on a mission and won't be back till February."  She can only hear from Nic once in a while on Facebook.

Like many families whose children are serving in the military, neither of Mary's boys will be home for Christmas. 

"Being away for the holidays is difficult," said Ann Walsh who organizes the Send Windsor to the Troops program. "However, the fact that we are so
in tune to remembering our servicemen and women and their peers makes a great difference," she said. 

Walsh and her partners and volunteers have attempted to create a program where all men and women serving overseas are kept track of and a connection is maintained during their service by sending them items from Windsor.

"Those simple things remind our men and women that we care and help take the edge off of being away," said Walsh. "I hear only positive things about the relationships made outside of camps with the Afghanistan children and families."

"The Town of Windsor has been wonderful," said Mary.  The packages her boys receive regularly are filled with items they need as well as items they would like. "They are totally enjoying it," she said.

Her boys being gone, especially during the holidays, makes Mary feel like "a piece of me is missing." 

"When I think about them being over there and not being able to celebrate Christmas, I get very emotional," said this mom, who surely echoes the feeling of all parents with children in the services.

"We have a number of men and women who are coming home next month, but I also know of several who will be shipping out," said Walsh. "We are always in transit."

Nic Cangemi and his brother Chris are being sent items by generous  people at Poquonock Community Church and the Windsor Lions Club.

If you would like to donate, Send Windsor to the Troops presently has a need for cold weather gear like hand and foot warmers, hot chocolate and fleece blankets.  Items can be dropped at WIN-TV and donations for postage can be mailed to 599 Matianuck Ave., Windsor, CT 06095.