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Local soldier appreciates moms efforts to collect care packages

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  • Allison Miles •
  • Originally published July 25, 2008 at 12:14 a.m., updated July 25, 2008 at 12:14 a.m.

Chris Kabela crouched over a large barrel Thursday afternoon, his shaved head bowed, smiling as he pawed through its contents.

A few green towels, some sunflower seeds and a four-pack of toilet paper perched atop the pile as the 21-year-old soldier, clad in his camouflage uniform and light brown boots, pretended to pocket the loot.

“He’s a ham,” Kabela’s mother, Margarita Lockstedt said, gazing fondly at her son.

Kabela, an infantryman, came home on leave from Iraq on July 12.

The mother-son duo, along with family friend Valerie Biediger, visited the Texas Dow Employees Credit Union to gather up supplies donated to the troops.

Lockstedt and a group of Victorians send 20-something boxes to Kabela’s platoon each month, and are gearing up for their third shipment.

The donation project began with the Victoria Jaycees’ “Treats for the Troops” program, Lockstedt said, and evolved when they decided to adopt a platoon.

After adopting Kabela’s 30-person platoon, which includes Johnathon Perez also from Victoria, they began sending the packages.

“There are a lot of guys in the platoon that don’t get anything, that don’t have family,” she said. “They really, really appreciate the items we send them.”

Among the troops’ favorite goodies are Q-tips, which are great for cleaning weapons, and Baby Wipes. They don’t always have access to showers, Kabela noted.

“And beef jerky,” Kabela said with a broad smile. “They love beef jerky.”

Kabela’s visit came as something of a surprise to Lockstedt.

The plan was to surprise Mom, Kabela said, so he had a friend pick him up. Lockstedt thought her son was coming in hours later.

“When I walked up, she thought she saw a ghost,” he said, glancing at his mother. “That’s what it looked like.”

Lockstedt said her first reaction was one of disbelief.

“I was just like, ‘Oh my God,’” she said, dabbing at a tear.

While the soldier won’t be in town much longer – he flies out of Victoria on Tuesday – he plans to fill his time with friends and family.

And maybe some more Mexican food. He loves the stuff but just doesn’t get it overseas.

Seeing her son leave will be difficult, Lockstedt said, but his tour ends in March. After that he’ll make his way to Hawaii.

“I tease him that I’m going to go over there for spring break,” she said, laughing. “We’ve already got plans.”

Allison Miles is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6511 or amiles@vicad.com.

  • Want to make your own contribution?

    There are four places to drop off donations to Kabela’s platoon:

    Incredible Pizza, 3706 N. Navarro St.

    TDECU, 1401 E Mockingbird Lane

    Goin’ Postal, 1305 E Airline Road

    More Money Tax Service, Victoria

    ...
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    • Want to make your own contribution?

    There are four places to drop off donations to Kabela’s platoon:

    Incredible Pizza, 3706 N. Navarro St.

    TDECU, 1401 E Mockingbird Lane

    Goin’ Postal, 1305 E Airline Road

    More Money Tax Service, Victoria



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