Troop Supporters aim to raise morale
The group is sponsoring
letters and care packages
for soldiers serving in Iraq
By Moriah Balingit
News Reporter
While troops in Iraq continue to
fight, some University students are
working to make soldiers' lives a lit
tle easier and provide one critical
provision that is in short supply —
letters from home.
Junior religious studies major
Caitlin Sills recently established the
Oregon Troop Supporters group to
sponsor letter-writing to soldiers
overseas, focusing especially on Iraq
where Sills said "the troops have
been forgotten."
The organization will also ask lo
cal businesses to donate items such
as DVDs, CDs and reading materials
to include in care packages to send to
the soldiers.
Sills said she was inspired by a
friend who is currently stationed in
Iraq.
"I didn't realize how uplifting let
ters could be," Sills said. "It's a really
big deal over there to get letters."
Seven people attended the first
meeting Wednesday night. While the
meeting was sparsely attended, those
who did attend appeared fairly
adamant in their support for the
troops.
Sophomore political science ma
’ jor Anthony Warren said the group's
mission is becoming increasingly im
portant.
^ "The fact of the matter is that
there's troops over there and they're
putting their lives on the line every
day," he said.
Portland resident Richie Hayes, a
former University psychology major
who recently left the Army with an
Former University psychology major Richie Hayes (left), junior political science major Matthew Lawrence (center) and a few others
gathered in the EMU’s Metolius Room to hear Caitlin Sills (right) propose a letter-writing campaign for soldiers stationed in Iraq.
honorable discharge, was also in at
tendance. Hayes said his experience
in the military, particularly in boot
camp, compelled him to get involved
with the organization.
"The environment (in boot camp)
is extremely stressful," he said. "Go
ing through all these trials creates a
brotherhood between all these guys
from all over the country."
The connection he feels with
troops in Iraq is a personal one, he
said.
"That would have been me at this
point," he said. "It's hard being sep
arated from your family."
Sills said the organization is apo
litical and that people should consid
er joining regardless of their views
about the war.
"This is not in any way a pro-war
club ... 1 just want to make it clear
that it's totally non-political," she
said. "It's really about supporting the
individual... it's just compassionate
to do it."
The sorority Pi Beta Phi is sponsor
ing a similar letter-writing effort,
dubbed "Operation Pi Phi." Fresh
man English major Megan Ticer,
who started the campaign, said she
was inspired by a friend, much like
Sills. Ticer also organized care pack
ages of books and magazines.
"My friend was fighting over
there," she said. "I decided that
there were probably a lot of men
that were lonesome."
Ticer said that the letters usually
just contain descriptions of daily
happenings.
"We want to provide a way for (the
soldiers) to get away for five minutes a
day," she said. "We give them hope."
Contact the people/culture/
faith reporter
at moriahbalingit@dailyemerald.coni.
NEWS BRIEF
CCRTF will meet to discuss
student-police relations
Hie Campus Community Relations
Task Force is meeting tonight to dis
cuss several topics including tactics to
manage off-campus parties. The meet
ing will take place from 3:30 p.m. to
5:00 p.m. in the Lewis Lounge on the
4th Floor of the Knight Law Center.
In addition to party control, CCRTF
will introduce new Eugene Police Chief
Robert Lehner as well as new Eugene
Police Sgt. Mark Montes, who will be
assigned to lead the campus team.
The agenda also states that ASUO
President Maddy Melton and lehner
will provide an update on student-po
lice relations.
The group is also slated to discuss
the findings of the Michigan State Off
Campus Party Study.
— Lisa Catto
CAMPUS
BUZZ
Tuesday
Spring classified staff meeting, Ballroom, EMU,
10-11:30 a.m. Classified employees are invited to
this twice-a-year opportunity to meet with Universi
ty President Dave Frohnmayer and other senior
administrators.
Human Resources Workshop featuring a presen
tation by consultant Karen Kempt entitled "Action
Planning: Put the Wheels Under the Plan," East
Conference Room, Bean Complex, 1-4 p.m. Pre
registration required.
Administrative rule public hearing,
Owyhee/Metolius Rooms, EMU, 4 p.m.
Short story reading by Henry Alley, Robert D. Clark
Honors College literature professor and author, from
“The Rembrandt Brotherhood," Robert D. Clark Li
brary, Room 301, Chapman Hall, 7:30-9 p.m.
Community Conversations: Political Parties, Dunn
Hall Lounge, Hamilton Complex 7:30-9 p.m.
University alumnus Flutist Gary Lewis performs
in the Faculty Artist Series concert, Beall Con
cert Hall, 8 p.m.