Holiday Kits for Soldiers in Iraq Include Spotlights

I never would have guessed that spotlights would be a valued item for soldiers at Christmas. I noticed that the support kits are referred to as 'Holiday' kits. That seems less personal to me than calling them Christmas Kits.

From Military.com:

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Two hundred “Platoon Support Kits” were recently shipped to Soldiers of Task Force Baghdad in time for the holidays.

The kits, donated by Bank of America, were put together so that each one contained enough snacks, toiletries and comfort items for about 25-30 Soldiers, a bank spokesman said. The kits also contained notes of encouragement from bank associates, families and customers from across the nation.

In addition, the kits contained spotlights. A 3rd Infantry Division Soldier reportedly told his father that spotlights were in high demand in Iraq and were used on night missions, such as conducting vehicle searches.

The Platoon Support Kits were shipped to Baghdad via military airlift from Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, Ga. Upon their arrival in Iraq, the kits were distributed among various units of the 3rd Infantry Division, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and the 10th Mountain Division, along with a number of reserve-component units.

“It is great to know that people back home still remember us over here and care enough about us to send a package full of goodies,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jack Ellis of D Co., 1-184th Infantry.

“Everything in the kits was appreciated,” said Sgt. 1st Class Steve K. Cooper of D Co., 2-22 Infantry, 10th Mountain Division. “The spotlights came in very handy and at just the right time. Several of the ones we had been using to conduct vehicle searches at night had been giving us some trouble lately.”

“To those on the tip of the spear of our nation’s defense, it means so much to hear a thank you,” said Spc. Thaddeus G. Moore of HHC, 1-184th Infantry.