Jaclynn and Jeffry Cape created a way to bring Christmas to their father's Army unit.

Operation family Christmas

By: Sarah Cash

Posted: 11/26/07

It was Christmas night 2004, and Western Illinois University students and siblings Jeffry and Jaclynn Cape and their mother and father were awaiting room service in a hotel room at Fort Bragg, N.C. The Cape siblings, who currently live in Cuba, Ill., were celebrating on the base because their father, Master Sergeant Jeff Cape, was stationed there at the time. A small Christmas tree and presents were the extent of their decorations, but the siblings said they felt lucky nonetheless. Their father, while often away at Christmas, was only an airplane ride across the country, and they had always spent the holiday as a family.

This year, after re-deploying Nov. 9, the Capes' father will spend his first deployment - and Christmas - in Iraq. Before leaving for assignment, he told his son Jeffry that Christmas abroad was not something he was looking forward to, especially since it was a time his family had always spent together.

Without hesitation, Jeffry, junior communication major, and Jaclynn, freshman pre-social work major, decided their family Christmas tradition could not be broken. As new members of Theta Xi and Phi Sigma Sigma, they decided to use their Greek family to reach their father's new family, the 402 Army Field Support Brigade. Brainstorming with members of the Greek community, the siblings formed a plan: Adopt a Soldier.

"We're bringing Christmas to the troops," Jeffry said, smiling broadly. "Our Dad has never missed a Christmas, and we want to make him feel like he is here with us. We feel that everyone in my Dad's unit should have the opportunity to receive positive words and gifts from the people back home.

"We want to show our father how our new family, the Greek community, wants to support him and his new family that he will be living with for the next year in Iraq," he added.

With this in mind, the Cape siblings are creating what Jeffry calls an "all-Greek event." More than 200 Greek students will contribute Christmas decorations, small gift items and food items in order to mail a sort of "Christmas-in-a-box." The Chi Omegas committed to providing 80 stockings - one for each member of the Cape father's unit - as well as various games and decorations. Pella Windows, where the Capes' father works when he is off-duty, also made a sizable donation.

Phi Sigma Sigma and Theta Xi are planning a large Community Service Exchange Dec. 2 in order to organize and pack the materials, sending them overseas in special military boxes shortly after.

To organize the large-scale project, Jeffry elicited help from his mother, the former leader of the Fort Stewart, Ga., Family Support Group, and the Quad Cities Families in Support of Troops president, Bobbie Wheeler.

"Could you handle being so far away from home, family, friends, everyday conveniences and trying to keep yourself alive - as well as your fellow comrades - 24/7?" Wheeler asked. "When you consider the circumstances our soldiers are facing, the thought of the holiday season does not bring about joy but despair and dread.

"(When care packages are sent), they have no doubt that there are people who truly believe in them and support them and their families," she added.

The community at large is also invited to support the project. Fifteen cans labeled "Adopt a Soldier" are placed at local businesses, including Chick's, Aurelio's and Family Video. Donations will be accepted at these locations through Nov. 30. On that same day, community members are invited to bring specific items, including food, games and decorations, to the University Union from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. See this story's accompanying graphic to learn which materials are appropriate.

Community members can also send their own care package to family and friends in other units at Army postage, just $8.95 per box regardless of weight. Packages will be sent Dec. 10; contact J-Cape@wiu.edu for more information before this date.

Jeffry and Jaclynn also said they hope to create an atmosphere of Greek unity on campus so members can form a better community and "gain personal respect for each other."

"We want to put forth a positive image for the Greeks in this community," Jeffry said.

Wheeler said she was impressed with the drive shown by the Cape siblings and fellow students, and she hoped the project would create more awareness of the troops overseas.

"I have spoken to many college students that do not walk in these individuals' shoes - a father or mother deployed in a war zone, living the military life. (Those students) have no clue as to the inner turmoil they experience each day and still try to continue with their studies and life," she said. "I hope their effort does bring more awareness in the community: that our soldiers are always protecting us and our freedom each day, whether we are embroiled in a conflict or not.

"(The project) is an expression of support to men and women who have dedicated their lives in support of all of us and our nation, something that should be honored each day in some way. … Freedom is not free, never has been and never will be."