If there's one group that can be counted on to never forget veterans during the holiday season, it's fellow veterans. One Wood Dale, Illinois man did a lot of the heavy lifting – proving that his 84 years is just a number – while a Montana organization that calls itself Angels in Camo delivered presents to veterans and children alike.
Despite the December cold, Illinois' frozen temperatures seemed to have had little affect on 84-year-old Army veteran Gene Mikulecky, who during the Cuban missile crisis flew anti-submarine missions in thin-skinned aircraft five miles up. The Daily Herald described how every year, Mikulecky spends his fall weekends at his neighborhood grocery stores collecting donations for veterans' Christmas presents. For up to 18 hours, Mikulecky does his part in the statewide Gifts to the Yanks who Gave program, which began in 1944.
Just last week, Mikulecky received more than 9,100 gifts for veterans at the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital. The gifts tend to be practical – clothing and toiletries. Mikulecky's American Legion Post 1084 has been one of the best collection sites in Illinois for more than ten years, with donations ranging up to $19,000 annually.
"It's one thing to see the work they do and the amount of donations Gene organized to come here," Mitra Gobin, Hines' chief of voluntary services, told the Herald. "But the inspiring part is seeing how it impact the veterans. The sheer number of gifts is awesome, but the impact for vets to receive these niceties allows us to go above and beyond to enhance that quality of care."
In Montana, veterans were equally appreciative for a visit from Angels in Camo. KRTV 3 reported that for the sixth year in a row, the group delivered gifts to veterans and their families. This time around, 56 adults and 46 children were the happy recipients.
"What it means to us just taking care of everything is heart filled," said Gregory Nyemaster, whose four children got gifts. "To see the kids be able to open gifts that we cannot afford is a big deal. It's just hard times lately and having Angels in Camo is just really awesome."