A quartet of postcards from Canadian Armed Forces soldiers stationed in Jerusalem has stirred up some local excitement.
The 100 Mile House Branch Library received a postcard from Blake Nash on Jan. 8, with a note and greeting addressed to a South Cariboo boy, Noah Salaymeh.
While it does not indicate his rank, Blake notes on the card he is overseas with "Op PROTEUS" and wrote that he appreciates being remembered in a message from his own country during the holidays.
Operation PROTEUS is Canada’s contribution to Task Force Jerusalem, which works closely with Canadian government personnel to promote peace in the region and helps ensure the safety of its citizens.
Assistant librarian Gina Gigliotti says the postcards were received in response to items sent to the troops after the library held a children’s Mitten Tree Craft event on Nov. 12, with a theme of giving to others.
The children wrote notes, made crafts and drew pictures to pass along in a Christmas message to our troops overseas, she explains.
Gina says her planning for how to get these items to the soldiers came together when she heard about a local society that sends annual Christmas cards to our armed forces overseas.
"I had 13 notes or crafts ready to send. That is when I contacted Lydia Kendall, secretary for the South Cariboo Lioness, and she collected all the cards and sent them off to the troops for me."
They were not addressed to specific soldiers, but indicated the return address of the local library, she notes.
"I was so thrilled that one of the Canadian soldiers responded to a card we sent. I contacted both Lydia and Noah, and they were just as excited as I was."
Noah, 7, says it is very thrilling and special to get a postcard from somebody so far away – especially a soldier.
"It was really cool, because I never got one before."
His craft for the soldier was a handwritten note with a picture drawn underneath during the craft event.
Noah notes he has first-hand knowledge about Jerusalem.
"It's because I have been there – when I was three."
Gina explains the Mitten Tree theme was drawn from the library's annual Giving Tree charity initiative, where a Christmas tree is set up and decorated with community donations of slippers, socks, hats and scarves.
"At the end of December, I collected all the items and donated them to the 100 Mile House & District Women’s Centre, Loaves and Fishes Outreach and Psalm 23 – all local organizations."
Lydia, and Lioness Joan Dick, who also received postcards from Blake, and Lioness Marj-Anne Cline, who got one from Sgt. V. Gnebeniun in Jerusalem, all say they are very pleased to have such a treasure from the troops.
Noah adds another personal message to Blake, in case he ever sees this story.
"Thank you for fighting for us."