Home Again

We are home from Ft. McCoy.  After being gone for only three days and nights we arrived home on Saturday night and slept in our own bed for 10 hours.

   Before we write more I have to say I'm a little gun shy about posting photos.  While there we were asked to re-sign a media policy statement as to what we can share and what we can't.  Truthfully, we did not have access to any military secrets or troop movements.  However, it is a military base so we follow the rules.  

 We spent three nights on base at the Wisconsin Military Academy.  The accommodations were comfortable.  Our rooms very much like a simple dorm room.  Each had a single bed, frig, desk and TV.  There were common areas where we could gather.  It also has a cafeteria where we ate dinners. 

   We were very fortunate to have two of our former housemates there with us.  Dennis and Mike are truly very special people. All four of us missed Lori Ann and Savannah. 

   Many of the Afghan guests have left.  We were never told about numbers but the Green Bay Press-Gazette said there were fewer than 8,000 still on the base, down from 13,000.   

   All volunteers on the base had to wear masks which is a change in policy.  

   As we had heard before going, there is some daily closing of children's centers due to a lack of volunteers.  This is exceptionally sad as now that winter is here the children really need a place to go.  

   We continued to be inspired by the volunteers we met.  There was a large group of 17 from Woodland Church in Stevens Point, a group of 8 mostly from Nebraska that were associated with a Franciscan Order, a group of Mennonites, some Protestant groups and an LDS volunteer all pulling together to bring comfort to displaced children.  

   We were exceptionally inspired on Thursday when a drum showed up in the center (think Ricky Ricardo playing BaBaLoo).  An Afghan man from the community heard it and came into the center.  He asked to play the drum which he did very well  His singing ability was just as good. The reaction from the children was immediate.  Some sang along and some danced.  We watched.

   The children were with are simply children.  They need attention, want to be noticed and they need something to do. There is a LaCrosse librarian who comes to the centers on a regular basis who has the ability to completely grab and hold the Childrens' attention.  There seemed to be no language barrier when singing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" or when dancing to the "Hokey Pokey".  The resiliency of these children is amazing.   

 

   We were comforted by the knowledge that the Afghan guests' physical needs are being met.  Again from the Press-Gazette article, all have been given coats, hats, gloves and scarfs.  Their food is provided and the barracks, while not ideal provide safe, temporary housing until they are able to be resettled.  When driving down the street in the early evening we couldn't help but see the sheets hanging in the barracks that serve as walls to subdivide their space.  

   There are now more recreation centers opened which offer more "gym-like" activities.  There are also more learning opportunities for all ages since we were last there.   

   As winter moves in (snowing today) we know it will be harder for the Afghan guests.  Please pray and take action so that they may be all resettled soon in areas that will welcome and support these families.

   Thanks for letting us share our experiences with you. 

   Ken and Cathy 

McCoy 2.0

If you think you heard the last from us about Fort McCoy you would be wrong.  We both knew we wanted to make another trip to Fort McCoy, even more so when we heard from a friend that one of the three centers on the base was not able to open on a number of occasions because there were not enough volunteers. After a couple of calls and a few emails we worked it out that two of our four housemates from our first trip will be there during the same three days.  

 On this trip we will be bringing coats, toys, socks, gloves and scarfs.  So many people were polite enough to listen to our stories and without any prompting provided us with items to distribute to the Afghan guests.

 The Green Bay Diocese is no longer sending volunteers.  They have instead decided to focus their resources on resettling those Afghans moving out of Fort McCoy.  Because of this we won’t have the luxury of staying in the rental house and will instead be staying at the Wisconsin Military Academy on the base.  The rooms are austere and have only one single bed per room so we’ll have separate rooms and share a bathroom as will our former housemates.  

We’ll post again when we can.