Air Force chaplain helps veterans aid U.S. forces
Hundreds of American servicemen and servicewomen stationed overseas are receiving morale-boosting care packages, thanks to the creativity of a group of war veterans and one Air Force chaplain. The project has had the added benefit of bringing together three generations of people who have served their country with pride and patriotism.
A few months ago, Capt. Yaakov Bindell, a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force, heard about the efforts of the Jewish War Veterans (JWV) of Rockland-Orange County, New York, to send care packages to American military personnel called up to active duty in Afghanistan.
Bindell, a resident of Lakewood and a graduate of Beth Medrash Govoha Yeshiva College, Lakewood, serves at McGuire Air Force Base, Burlington County, and is attuned to programs that build bridges between military personnel and area citizenry.
"I knew the veterans were looking for a way to ship more of these packages overseas and I thought I could be of some help," Bindell said.
He contacted the veterans, offering to arrange for their packages to be loaded onto military planes at McGuire for transport and delivery to bases in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The veterans, in the meantime, had been approaching vendors for donations to put in the packages.
"Smucker’s gave us peanut butter and jelly, Duracell sent batteries, an Atlantic City casino sent playing cards, the library gave us books, and we bought kosher salamis and grooming kits," said Bill Farber, co-chairman of the JWV post in Spring Valley, N.Y., the largest JWV post in New York state. "The packages have a retail value of more than $50."
On July 1, the group took its first guided tour of the base and organized a caravan of cars to deliver 101 packages to McGuire.
"Capt. Bindell had arranged everything for us," Farber said. "He even provided an all-kosher lunch, which he had brought up from Lakewood. We were treated royally."
Word of the project spread. On Oct. 8, more than 40 veterans returned to McGuire Air Force Base with another 100 packages.
"They took us to areas where civilians are usually not allowed to go," said Farber. "We even went aboard a KC-10 tanker. We also went to the receiving point where we dropped off our packages. We were told that we were the first group to come to the base with so many care packages each filled with donations."
The veterans were presented with a letter of commendation, a certificate and two medallions. The base commander briefed them and personally thanked the group for their efforts. Also present that day was Daniel Weiss, national commander of the JWV, USA, who heard about the program at a JWV meeting.
"I said I wanted to go with this group to McGuire. I want to join them in helping our men and women overseas," said Weiss, a resident of Brick Township.
The project has now taken on a life of its own. The veterans have received numerous letters of thanks from those serving overseas. They have also formed a bond with the people at McGuire.
At the suggestion of Bindell, the JWV of New Jersey joined the Rockland County veterans in hosting a Hanukkah party at the Enlisted Men’s Hall at McGuire Air Force Base on the evening of Dec. 5.
"We will serve latkes (potato pancakes, a traditional Hanukkah dish), have music and distribute gift bags," said Farber. "Included in those bags will be Hanukkah cards made by the school children of Rockland County."
Jewish military personnel from McGuire and Fort Dix were invited, as were members of the JWV Ladies Auxiliary and state and local officials.
"Capt. Bindell has been unbelievable," Weiss said. "He gives 150 percent to the men and women in uniform, making their lives easier. And he has enabled the men and women of the military to get together with those of us from the non-military side, working hand-in-hand."