By Jennifer Calhoun

Published: Monday, December 6, 2004

Jennifer O'Connell is on a mission to send tidings of comfort and joy to a group who's seen little of either these days - U.S. soldiers.

The 20-year-old ETSU student, along with members from Alpha Phi Omega, VETSU and the Pre-Professional and Graduate Students program, has organized a campaign to send holiday greetings to those far from home.

"It doesn't matter what your political beliefs are, whether you think this war is right or wrong," O'Connell said. "The fact is we still have soldiers out there, and they are still lonely on the holidays. They're still away from their families."

O'Connell is carrying on the tradition started by her late mother, Carol Ann O'Connell, a teacher in Dyersburg, Tenn., who enlisted her students to make cards for military personnel who weren't able to come home for the holidays.

"My mom always did this when I was growing up," O'Connell said. "I just thought someone should keep doing it."

O'Connell's inspiration also comes from friends who've been to Iraq, as well as those who are still there. "I have two friends back from Iraq - they're still in shock," she said. "It's just so different there." And the friend who is still there, said O'Sullivan, is leading anything but an ordinary life.

"I asked in an e-mail what he'd done that day," she said. "He replied that he'd caught a couple of snipers, disarmed some bombs and uncovered some RPGs," said O'Sullivan, sounding incredulous.

"All I could say was that I'd been to class." Students interested in making holiday cards for soldiers can do so at the Marketplace in the Culp Center on weeknights from 5-7. Construction paper and markers will be available.

Those unable to make it in person can send cards to O'Sullivan at ETSU Box 13161, or e-mail zjko3@imail.etsu.edu to arrange for pick-up.

Media Credit: Illustration by Melanie Herrington

Story Copyright to The East Tennessean