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Soldiers send flag as
thanks for goodies

Waialae School’s shipment of treats
to Afghanistan was appreciated

An American flag that flew over the U.S. Embassy in Kabul on Christmas Day will be sent to Waialae Elementary School, as a thank-you for goodie boxes sent to American soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

Participants in "Operation Christmas Cheer 2004," organized by Waialae parent Jennifer Macagnone, packed and mailed more than 100 boxes of donated treats like meat jerky, candy, crack seed and cookies in early December.

Macagnone said she was thrilled to hear that some of the boxes arrived in Afghanistan before Christmas, although snowy winter weather has postponed their delivery to troops in the field.

She's already dispatched a follow-up mailing of needed toiletry items she bought with cash donations and said she's willing to keep sending packages until it's no longer needed.

"I feel like now they're my family and I've got to continue it," Macagnone said.

Nancy Rivera, the Army staffer who is coordinating distribution of the items in Afghanistan, said that flying a flag over the U.S. Embassy to honor a person or group is common.

"I felt that both Jen and the Waialae School deserved recognition for their efforts. The flag is something the kids can see and touch and hopefully will be placed in a position of honor," Rivera said.

"Additionally, I think a flag will give everyone involved a sense of reality and closeness to us here in Afghanistan. We were also able to have them flown on Christmas Day, which was appropriate since the project was named 'Operation Christmas Cheer.'"



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