Every hero deserves a hug

  • Published
  • By Airman Anthony Jennings
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla --  Military servicemembers serve their country for various reasons, rarely asking for praise. 

Though for many servicemembers in deployed environments, a "thank you" never goes unappreciated. 

HeroHugs, an organization developed by Bailey Reese, 12, is aimed at ensuring all military servicemembers know they are appreciated for their efforts. What separates them from other organizations is half of their board of directors are children. 

In 2004, Hurricane Ivan ravaged their hometown in Niceville, Fla., Diana Reese and her daughter Bailey, then 7, were waiting at a distribution points where Eglin servicemembers were handing out water and ice. Bailey noticed some of the people in line were complaining to the Airmen about the wait, inconvenience and heat. 

"Mommy why isn't anyone saying thank you?" she asked her mother. 

Despite Ms. Reese's attempts to explain people were under stress, Bailey took it upon herself to make certain the servicemembers knew they were appreciated. She immediately rallied together children from her neighborhood to decorate boxes filled with goodies, such as candy, gum, mints and puzzles -- little things to say thank you. 

What began as a small operation in the Reese home, slowly gained momentum and extended into the classroom in local elementary schools where students were eager to pitch in. 

"They would take milk cartons and turn them into holiday gifts for deployed troops in Iraq," Ms. Reese said. "When the troops get them, it reminds them of home and why they are there -- to protect us." 

As the program began to spread, Bailey felt the servicemembers needed a mascot. Thus, Hero, a stuffed bear made in a Build-a-Bear Workshop, was born. Dressed in battle dress uniform, Bailey sent him to Balad Air Base, Iraq. 

"I was at Build-A-Bear Workshop and saw they had military outfits for the bears," Bailey said. "One of my main contacts in Iraq at the time was the safety office in Balad. I thought the bear would make a great mascot for the office and really had no idea hero would end up being so popular and famous." 

If Hero the bear could talk, the stories he could tell could be vast. Soldiers have posted photos on the Web of them serving alongside Hero, which has helped to convey to their children the servicemembers' role in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

"I named him Hero since I was sending him to the troops who are my heroes for working to make the world a better place for me and kids just like me to grow up in," Bailey said. "The troops started sending me photos of Hero being one of them and I took the photos to school and shared them with my class. 

"A lot of the kids were surprised by some of the photos because they didn't look like the things they saw on the news," she said. "Hero was able to give kids an idea of what life in Iraq was like for many of our troops and it was a lot more kid friendly than things they see on TV."

HeroHugs currently sends out 30 care bags each month to wounded U.S. servicemembers in hospitals in Iraq. Each bag contains crossword puzzle books, magazines, gum, hard candy, small individual packages of cookies, and much more. Each bag also contains a card from a child wishing the servicemembers well and thanking them for being American heroes. 

Once a month, HeroHugs sends out holiday-themed bags to troops serving in Balad. If there isn't a holiday in a month they will create one, such as their American Hero holiday.
"This is a phenomenal organization," said Maj. Jonathon Breingan, 4th Fighter Wing pilot at Seymour-Johnson AFB, N.C. "Their efforts are greatly appreciated by those deployed. It's a great example of the support that enables troops and Airmen to maintain morale." 

To date, HeroHugs has sent more than 39,000 care packages to deployed servicemembers, valued at approximately $400,000. Though the Reeses run their operations at home, they accomplish most of the packing in classrooms where local children help. 

Volunteerism runs in the Reese family. Bailey's 17-year-old brother, Tim Calvert, has an organization called Operation Iraqi Friendship aimed at delivering school supplies and toys for children in Iraq to help foster better relationships with servicemembers and the people of Iraq.

"Our house actually doesn't really look like a house on the inside, but more like a warehouse," Bailey said. "It would cost too much money to have an office, and I would rather spend that money on getting more to the troops."

Bailey's efforts with HeroHugs have contributed to boosting military morale and gave her the opportunity to meet former President George W. Bush at the White House where she was honored for her work. 

Bailey earned further accolades when she was named the 2005 Angel Soft "Angels in Action" grand prize winner, the 2006 Build-A-Bear Huggable Hero and the 2007 American Girl Real Girl of the Year. In October 2008, she received actor Paul Newman's Newman's Own Award for troop-based organizations. 

"I'm so proud of Bailey and how caring she is for others," said Ms. Reese. "Our world could use a lot more kindness in it and I am so pleased Bailey is always looking for ways to help and show she cares." 

Though the awards were an honor, Bailey said they were really helpful with gaining credibility and publicity to promote additional funding and donations as well as spread the word about HeroHugs around the country. 

"The awards and recognition do make me feel good," Bailey said. "But I think everyone should be showing appreciation to our troops and that it should be a part of our everyday life and not something you get special recognition for."