Clinton, IA -
It's the largest call up of Iowa National Guard troops since World War II and 3,500 Iowa National Guard soldiers have been put on alert, told they may be heading to Afghanistan. That includes more than 50 units from places like Davenport, Iowa City, Dubuque, Clinton, Mt. Pleasant, Knoxville and more. After hearing the news, one woman in Clinton is gearing up to support those troops.
It all started with Sandi Carstensen sending her son, Jim, a pillowcase in Iraq.
"I sent it over, two weeks later he emailed me again, said I was a hit, can you make me some more," says Carstensen.
Now more than 6 years later, Sandi is still making pillow cases and also Christmas stockings for deployed units. She founded a company called Operation Support for Deployed Military. This year, more than 7,000 requests have come in for the funny...traditional...and personalized stockings.
"They're just amazed, I've heard everything from, ' we're going to keep it and hang it up all year ' to ' I sent it home to my mom for safekeeping," says Carstensen.
Then, there's quilts from Sandi's other foundation, Home of the Brave Quilt Foundation. Quilts she and others make and give to families that lose soldiers during their mission. Nearby in Clinton, the 1st battalion, 133rd Infantry was put on deployment alert Tuesday. The unit connected with Sandi on their last deployment in 2007. She sent them 750 stockings.
"I've still got Capt. Prichard's card here, 'The stockings are beautiful, thanks for the hard work. I am excited to pass them out. I appreciate you thinking of my soldiers," reads Carstensen.
Now she thinks of the 133rd soldiers with some sadness...after news of their impending deployment.
"Yes, absolutely, we lost a couple guys that last time they were shipped over," recalls Carstensen.
She hopes it doesn't happen again. But with 3,500 soldiers possibly leaving Iowa for Afghanistan, it means Sandi and her sewing angels are preparing to be busy next year.
"I called a couple of my sewing angels and said well, were going to be doing 3,500 just for the state of Iowa this next holiday season in addition to the other ones we do. We will take care of soldiers from Iowa. First, I will contact their leader and if they want the stockings then, absolutely," says Carstensen.
It all started with Sandi Carstensen sending her son, Jim, a pillowcase in Iraq.
"I sent it over, two weeks later he emailed me again, said I was a hit, can you make me some more," says Carstensen.
Now more than 6 years later, Sandi is still making pillow cases and also Christmas stockings for deployed units. She founded a company called Operation Support for Deployed Military. This year, more than 7,000 requests have come in for the funny...traditional...and personalized stockings.
"They're just amazed, I've heard everything from, ' we're going to keep it and hang it up all year ' to ' I sent it home to my mom for safekeeping," says Carstensen.
Then, there's quilts from Sandi's other foundation, Home of the Brave Quilt Foundation. Quilts she and others make and give to families that lose soldiers during their mission. Nearby in Clinton, the 1st battalion, 133rd Infantry was put on deployment alert Tuesday. The unit connected with Sandi on their last deployment in 2007. She sent them 750 stockings.
"I've still got Capt. Prichard's card here, 'The stockings are beautiful, thanks for the hard work. I am excited to pass them out. I appreciate you thinking of my soldiers," reads Carstensen.
Now she thinks of the 133rd soldiers with some sadness...after news of their impending deployment.
"Yes, absolutely, we lost a couple guys that last time they were shipped over," recalls Carstensen.
She hopes it doesn't happen again. But with 3,500 soldiers possibly leaving Iowa for Afghanistan, it means Sandi and her sewing angels are preparing to be busy next year.
"I called a couple of my sewing angels and said well, were going to be doing 3,500 just for the state of Iowa this next holiday season in addition to the other ones we do. We will take care of soldiers from Iowa. First, I will contact their leader and if they want the stockings then, absolutely," says Carstensen.
