From one troop to another
Karen Earl, left, and Alyssa Ferguson hang ribbons Tuesday on Stratford Road in Moses Lake to show support for soldiers serving in Iraq. Alyssa's dad Chuck is currently serving with the Charlie Company, 1-161st Infantry. Alyssa said that putting up the ribbons is just one way to show support for her dad and other soldiers. "I want to be there for him," she said.
Girl Scouts troop No. 244 hang ribbons in support of troops serving in Iraq
MOSES LAKE — Distance has not kept Girl Scouts troop No. 244 from keeping close at heart those soldiers serving in Iraq.
Tuesday, in between honking cars that showed their support, Girl Scouts and their moms hung yellow ribbons on the bridge in Moses Lake along Stratford Road.
"The troops are coming home and we want the town to look nice for them," said Kortney Earl, a Girl Scout with troop No. 244.
Charlie Company, National Guard 1-161st Infantry, based in Moses Lake, is expected to arrive home within a few weeks from a year-long deployment to Iraq.
Even though Kortney does not have family serving in Iraq, her mother Karen Earl said she knows that her daughter's involvement with other girls who do have family serving, has had an impact on Kortney.
"My kids don't have a member of their family serving in Iraq, but for them to learn the importance of why they're over there; that their freedom is because of these men," Karen said.
In the last year, much of troop No. 244's activities have included efforts to continually remind themselves and their community of the soldiers serving in Iraq.
"It's been a big focus," said Machelle Ferguson, whose husband Chuck is currently serving in Iraq with Charlie Company.
Over the months, the Girl Scouts have sent care packages, boxes of cookies and written pen pal cards to soldiers with the local company.
"I want to be there for him," said Alyssa Ferguson of her dad Chuck.
"What we want to do is show our support and see if everyone in the community will decorate," said Machelle. "We want them to know that no one has forgotten them."
"They don't have a lot of stuff and the least we can do is write and (show our support)," said Kelly Earl, also a member of troop No. 244. "They've already done so much for us," she said.