Don Downer can still remember the chocolate chip cookies sent to him in care packages as a young Marine stationed in China in 1948.

The cookies rarely arrived intact, but Downer and his fellow Marines would scoop up the crumbs and eat them nevertheless.

"Even the dust was put in the coffee, and nothing was wasted," recalled Downer, now 80 and a Columbia resident.

When Downer's wife died in June 2008, he needed something to occupy his time and as a former Marine, his thoughts immediately went out to those in the armed forces serving overseas.

"I had to find something to do," he said. "I groped around for a while and it came to me as a mandate to send these care packages to the troops because I was deployed and I know how much it meant to have a package received overseas."

One of Downer's neighbors had been a paratrooper during the Gulf War and put Downer in touch with people who are currently in the service. Downer started mailing off care packages and gradually got to know more and more service men and women, he said.

As of June 12, he had mailed 350 care packages. The total cost out of his own pocket has been more than $20,000, he said. He has received one donation of $200 from a member of his condo association, he said.

Downer was honored at a ceremony June 17 at the Columbia Post Office, at 6801 Oak Hall Lane, where he mailed his packages, said Yvette Singh, a post office spokeswoman. U.S. Postal Service officials recognized Downer as part of a ceremony in which they unveiled a new Bob Hope postage stamp. Singh said the ceremony was designed "because Bob Hope did have a love for the troops so it would be fitting to try and tie it in."

In each care package, Downer includes a variety of items ranging from wool socks, to coffee, hot chocolate, microwave meals and toiletries.

He began by sending packages mostly to Iraq and then later to Afghanistan as troop build up there continued. The cold weather in Afghanistan has inspired him to send hand warmers that troops can stick in their gloves, he said.

In each package, Downer also includes cookies and a can of Spam -- two items he remembers receiving in care packages. The Spam, however, is something of an inside joke. Downer said he remembers getting sick of Spam, as it was almost always included in the care packages he received as a young Marine.

"I want to get the reaction when they get so tired of it," he said with a chuckle. He also includes chocolate chip cookies because "everyone knows that chocolate chips are a winner."

Downer, who retired from the Marines as a second lieutenant in 1952, said his military experience played a large part in forming his character.

"I loved it. It squares you away for the rest of your life," he said. "You have ethics involved; you have morals involved; you have honor; you have integrity. Those are attributes that can't be taken away from you."

Downer said he hopes his packages increase morale and said he receives letters from the troops thanking him for thinking about them.

"They're really appreciative that somebody over here is thinking about them," he said. "It brings the morale ... to a higher level."

Downer said he will continue to send the packages "as long as there's a need and that's for some time."

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user comments (1)

user eddyc3 says...

What a great American! All Americans need to support the War Effort and particularly support our brave men and women fighting overseas with care packages. MR Downer is the standard to follow. AIRBORNE! ALL THE WAY! Ed & Bannie Connor, Columbia, MD

Posted 2:15 PM, 06.19.09 | Permalink