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A new way to serve
Vietnam veteran Bob Williams says he would re-enlist if he could. Instead, he creates care packages for troops.
By TRACY SMALL
Published August 26, 2005
Every morning at 4 a.m., while the world outside sleeps, Bob Williams is inside a warehouse packaging boxes.
It's quiet. He sips Starbucks coffee as he carefully weighs and labels each parcel.
On the other side of the world, American soldiers are getting ready for bed. Some of them e-mail Williams.
Dear Bob, we really enjoyed those snacks you sent to our unit. If it isn't too much trouble, we would appreciate some more.
A former Navy airman, Williams, 58, was discharged after sustaining a knee injury in Vietnam. Still, he continued to meet regularly with the Navy League, a civilian organization that supports Navy service people and their families.
Twenty years ago, when he considered himself financially stable, he started to collect the names of men and women who were deployed overseas. Many of them are based out of MacDill Air Force Base.
Then he would contact them and ask them to make a wish list of items they needed, mostly simple toiletries and snacks. With only one name, he sends enough goodies for the person's entire unit.
He started with five, maybe eight boxes a week. Now he's sending more than 100 boxes a week. He works out of a private warehouse in Wesley Chapel next door to a U.S. post office.
"I don't ever want there to be another Vietnam where U.S. citizens don't support our troops," Williams said. "If I could re-enlist, I would. This is my way of helping them."
Williams pays for much of what he sends. He shops at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club for televisions with DVD players, popcorn and a movie to watch.
Some items are donated from companies and individuals such as Starbucks Coffee, Keebler and Mary Kay. Toys for Iraqi and Afghan children are also donated.
"I send (the troops) cigars and squirt guns just to enjoy a little downtime in the heat," Williams said. "But the Navy always gets the biggest guns."
Different military units are looking for different things. For instance, one favorite among troops at Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan, where Williams says it gets "a little nippy," is an air-activated hand warmer.
Soldiers pass out Williams' name like candy at Halloween. It's getting expensive to keep up with the demand. He has a warehouse full of boxes with no postage. Now he has to rely on the community for donations.
Two years ago, local radio and television personality Jack Harris called Williams and asked him to tell his story on the morning show of news-talk station WFLA-970 AM.
Since then, Williams has appeared on the show twice . The most recent interview caught the ear of Carrollwood chiropractor Charles W. Rice Jr.
Rice, who has a practice in the Palms of Carrollwood complex, is now encouraging his patients to donate. Everyone who contributes gets a red, white and blue "freedom" wristband.
"I knew I had to do something," Rice said. "Parcels just don't get there by magic."
* * *
After Williams was discharged from the Navy, he started two companies. American Fabric Filter Co. makes dust filter bags, and Sifter Parts and Service Inc. sifts bugs and particles from flour for food companies.
After his two sons were grown, he divided the two companies between them.
Today, he remains a shareholder and uses the fabric company to make khaki bandannas. He sends the bandannas to schools and churches in the community.
With markers, each one is decorated with pictures and words of affection for the soldiers. Once they're returned, Williams uses them as packing cushions. When they arrive overseas, troops wear them as dust masks.
Williams also has children scribble a message on index cards and attach a penny.
"You can't imagine how much the guys cherish the pennies," he said. "They carry them in their wallets."
Williams still travels regularly to trade shows for his businesses. If he spies anyone in uniform, he asks if they're heading overseas.
He hands them a large Iraqi freedom coin and a business card and asks them to contact him once they get to their destination.
"It's just very, very fulfilling," Williams said.
For information, contact Bob Williams at 813 991-9400 or e-mail him at sift@aol.com Donation checks for Williams' postage can be made payable to "Postmaster" and can be sent to P.O. Box 7560, Wesley Chapel, FL, 33544.
BOB WILLIAMS
AGE: 58
FAMILY: Wife, Karen; three sons, ages 35, 24, 23
HOME: Wesley Chapel
FORMER JOB: Navy airman
CURRENT MISSION: Sending care packages to troops overseas
MOST REQUESTED ITEMS: Starbucks coffee, followed by DVDs
MOST NEEDED ITEM: Money for postage. He has 15,000 pounds of goods waiting to be delivered.
RECEIVES: 15 to 20 wish lists for items a day
UNUSUAL ITEMS SENT: air mattresses; shower curtains; bicycle parts; televisions. "If it's under 70 pounds, we've sent it," he said.
MAIL TIME: Packages take about two weeks to arrive.
[Last modified August 25, 2005, 09:36:09]
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