by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
The City is making good on its commitment to an adopted Army unit and looking after locally-based soldiers as well, the mayor’s spokesperson said recently.
Mayor John Peyton became aware three weeks ago that the army brigade, a unit of the 101st Airborne Division adopted by former mayor John Delaney, “wasn’t getting properly taken care of,” said Heather Murphy.
The City’s commitment to the unit got lost in the transition from Delaney to Peyton. The unit didn’t receive promised care packages and America supporting Americans, the organization overseeing the adoption program, considered dropping Jacksonville as a sponsor.
Peyton has made a priority of the local military during his campaign and following the election. In his first six months, Peyton has landed on an aircraft carrier, flown in a fighter jet and convened an unprecedented meeting of local military leaders. When he became aware of the adoption letdown, Murphy said Peyton began organizing a drive to collect gifts, letters, cards and care packages for the 101st.
Peyton also decided to donate to “our hometown foils, which number in the thousands, who are currently deployed with Guard and Reserve units in Iraq,” said Murphy. The 101st is based in Fort Campbell,Ky.
“It was upsetting that this didn’t get handed over completely to us,” said Murphy. “From the first day in office, we’ve exhibited the strongest possible commitment to the military.”
In the week following the drive’s announcement, Murphy said the City collected hundreds of boxes of foot powder, deodorant and handi-wipes donated by Winn-Dixie, 3,200 care packages donated by the St. Johns River Water Management District and 1,500 books donated by Christ the Redeemer Church.
Additionally, Murphy said the City had collected paperback books, CDs, Christmas ornaments, disposable razors and packaged food.
“We’ve really been heartened, but not surprised, by the way our city has stepped to the plate to honor our veterans,” said Murphy.
Although the response so far has been good, Murphy said the City still needs donations of the items mentioned above, sporting goods and non–perishable food. The City is accepting donations at all fire stations and City Hall. Murphy said drop boxes will be stationed along the Veterans Day parade route at the T-U Center and the Landing.
The mayor will ride in the parade’s lead car.