Assistant features editor Susan Jennings worries and writes about her kid brother, Marine Lance Cpl. Stephen Haller, who just left for his first tour of Afghanistan on her blog, The Yellow Ribbon.
Katelyn Heilman has a special message for U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We care for their safety and health," said Katelyn, 10.

She and several other girls Saturday were at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Manchester Township where they wrote letters for care packages they'll send to service members who have family attending the church.

"This is our first service project of the year," said Jodi Heilman, leader of the church's junior youth group.

Church members and their families donated goods including gum, hard candy, beef jerky, bath products, stationery and games, she said.

"My nephew just got deployed," Heilman said of Jeremy Heilman, 26, of York Township, who is in the U.S. Air National Guard and stationed in Afghanistan.

"When they get packages, they share them with . . . their entire squadron," Jodi Heilman said. "So we're able to touch people we don't even know."

Nancy Buckley of Manchester Township said her son, Chuck Buckley, 40, a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, is stationed in Iraq.

Chuck Buckley's son, 19-year-old Joshua, is in the U.S. Air Force and stationed in Afghanistan, Nancy Buckley said.

"I feel very proud," Nancy Buckley said of her son and grandson.

Cayenne Kepner, 10, said she wants the service members to know they are appreciated.

"They're very brave people," she said.


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