Wolf Pack receives special delivery from Texas

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Sean P. Houlihan
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  Wolf Pack members woke up Christmas morning to a special delivery from residents of Lubbock, Texas. The Texas panhandle community sent every Airman and Soldier assigned to the base a small stocking with card of gratitude.

For Staff Sgt. Tiwanda Wilson, 8th Operations Group assistant non-commissioned officer in charge of the commander's support staff, being a native of Lubbock, the gift was truly a touch of home.

"Seeing the stocking on the door was neat, but when I realized it was from my hometown my only thought was 'Wow,'" Sergeant Wilson said. "For them to do something just for us at Kunsan to show their support was good to know."

Sergeant Wilson said she wasn't surprised to learn the residents of Lubbock had done something to support the military. Since graduating from high school in 1999 and joining the Air Force, she said one example of Lubbock residents caring occurred while she was stationed in Germany. A choir from Lubbock came to the base to show support.

"I just want to thank them for doing something for everyone here who is away from their families. It is nice to know the people of Lubbock remembered us on Christmas," she said.

The driving force behind sending out the packages to Kunsan was Mrs. Donna Nussbaum and members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Nussbaum said during a church meeting an idea was brought up to do something short term that would involve as much of the community and all age groups as possible.

"I was thinking about the military and made the suggestion about making stockings to send to an overseas base," Mrs. Nussbaum said. "Everyone seemed so interested in it so I approached my daughter (1st Lt. Rachael Nussbaum, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron) who is stationed at Kunsan to see if it would be acceptable, so we began the project of making and stuffing about 3,000 stockings for Kunsan Air Base in about three weeks."

Mrs. Nussbaum said everyone in the community came on board to complete the project in time to get the packages out here. Citizens and local business across Lubbock wrote a personal note on a card, donated candy, music CDs, ornaments, and personal care items for the stockings as well as the sewed all the stocking by hand.

"It was absolutely fantastic on how the city came together to get the project (done)," she said.

Included in each stocking along with the candy and personal item were two letters from local politicians, 19th District Congressman Randy Neugebauer and Mayor of Lubbock David A. Miller.

Both personally extended best wishes during the holiday season and thanked everyone for their dedication and service to the country.

"We have a strong support for our military personnel around the world and understand the pain of being away from home being in harm's way in Kunsan or in the heat of combat. That is a big deal to (the citizens of Lubbock) because we are so grateful and we wanted to show that appreciation," Mayor Miller said.
"Mrs. Nussbaum's effort can be multiplied many times over across the United States and the world for our service members. I wish everyone the very best holiday greetings of every faith, regardless of state they come from the people of Lubbock love our military members and support you. I am warm and safe because of you."

Lieutenant Nussbaum, commanders, chief master sergeants, first sergeants, and other volunteers delivered the stockings by Christmas Even, ensuring the gifts from residents of Lubbock were there for Christmas.