From November-December 2004

Adopt a Serviceman or Woman

Angelo G. Coppola, Sr., 32°

As you enjoy the holiday season, take time to remember those serving in our military and abroad.

Recently, I came across a story worth sharing during this holiday season. A boy and his father went into a pet store to buy a puppy. They were shown a cage where there were five puppies begging to be taken home. Next to the cage was another cage with a single puppy from the same litter. The boy wanted to know why that puppy was not with the rest. He was told that the puppy had a bad leg and would probably be destroyed. At that point the boy begged his daddy to buy the dog with the bad leg. The sales clerk was puzzled and wanted to know why the boy wanted that particular puppy when all the others were perfect. At that point, the boy raised the leg of his pants and revealed his braces. Everyone deserves a chance at life and everyone deserves our support in their endeavor. The boy gave a dog a chance at life by his love and compassion.

There was another boy who completed military boot camp, took leave, and was off to Radio school in Bainbridge, Maryland. It was just before Thanksgiving, and the young man had never before been away from home during the holidays, and it caused him to be very upset, so much so that he called his mother and cried on the phone telling her how he wanted to come home. The boy’s mother knew he could not leave, and she knew, as well, that, once he adjusted, he would be fine. She chose to talk for quite some time until peace came to the boy’s heart, and he was able to sustain being away from home his first Thanksgiving. That mother consoled her son by her love and compassion.

Everyone needs someone willing to providing the love and compassion necessary to overcome unhappy experiences. The dog needed someone, and so too did the boy. The holiday season is beginning, and there will be thousands of our men and women in uniform who will not be home for the holidays. It will be a very difficult time for them because they will not be able to take part in the many holiday events they have grown to love.

So what can we do? Like the boy who picked the dog with the bad leg and the mother who encouraged the boy, it all begins in our heart. In places like Iraq, American lives are being put on the line everyday. For the past two years, I have been going to sea with the Navy as an instructor. In doing so, I began to recall one of the most important events for our service personnel. It was not chow or sack time. Rather, it was mail call. Mail call could mean a letter or package arriving from home. The content of the package was not important. What was important was the sense of love, caring, and happiness it provided. The last time I was at sea, it was Girl Scout cookie time, and did they ever roll in! I, too, looked forward to getting cookies from home, and, believe me, I was really thankful when they arrived!

As you enjoy the holiday season, let’s take time to remember those serving in our military and abroad. Prepare a package for a loved one, a neighbor, a friend, or for “Anyone.” Include a short note of appreciation. Many of us already do this in our church or workplace when we adopt a name for Christmas giving. This year, also adopt a service man or woman. Whatever the branch of service, every state has a military reserve center. Contact the center for a name and address of soldiers and sailors serving away from home this holiday season. Then prepare a package filled with goodies and gifts, tokens of your love and compassion.

Believe me; it will be happiness to you and others!

Note: In most cases, allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery since many will have to be found. Also, by sending to the FPO (Fleet Post Office) or APO (Air Post Office), the cost of mailing a package is much lower than regular mail. Thus, all addresses should be FPO or APO.

Angelo G. Coppola, Sr.
is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a doctorate in public school administration. He has served as a teacher, principal, school superintendent, Arkansas State Department of Education Field Specialist, and, upon retirement in 2002, the Deputy Director for the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. Bro. Angelo is Past Master of E. H. English Lodge #237 and presently serving as the Junior Warden for Albert Pike Lodge #714. He is a member of the York Rite Body serving as Secretary of Fay Hempstead Chapter #144 Royal Arch Masons. Dr. Coppola is a member of the Quapaw Council Boy Scouts of America Executive Board and Chairman of the Eagle Scout Committee for the Scottish Rite Bodies of Arkansas. Bro. Coppola and his lady, Evelyn, travel extensively between home in Arkansas and a small residence in Italy.