Fort Leonard Wood FRG goes above and beyond with help from Operation Home Front

By Amy Newcomb (Fort Leonard Wood)April 4, 2012

Fort Leonard Wood FRG goes above and beyond with help from Operation Home Front
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- The 787th Military Police Battalion Family Readiness Group goes above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to taking care of their Families. The 787th had their quarterly barbecue Friday, offering Families some much needed time with their drill sergeant spouses and something extra to take home from Operation Home Front-Missouri.

Lt. Col. Randall Thrash, 787th MP Bn. commander, said the FRG has worked with Operation Homefront many times in order to provide their Families with the goods and services this nonprofit organization offers military Families.

"They always have something that our Families want, whether it's pajamas, DVDs, books, toys or diapers -- you name it and they've got it," Thrash said. "We go as often as they have items to give. Anything Operation Home Front has that we think our Families might want -- we pick it up."

Thrash said everything the FRG received from OH-Missouri is age-specific and could be anything from pajamas for small children to books for teenagers.

"It saves them money and it helps at the end of the day," Thrash added. "That's what we are after … to assist Families as much as possible."

Michelle Mallard, 787th MP Bn. FRG leader, said teaming up with OH-Missouri has been an important part of how 787th MP Bn. reaches out to help their Families.

"I think giving our Families everything possible and showing them what is out there for them is important," Mallard said. "Operation Home Front is great about getting things for the Families."

Mallard said this also helps get the Families together from the unit, so they can spend time together and see their drill sergeant spouses during the week.

"We have them together for a big barbecue so they can meet each other and form friendships," Mallard said. "So, they can have someone they can talk to when their husbands are working long hours."

April Penney, 787th drill sergeant spouse, said she enjoys getting together to see other members of the unit, spend time with her husband and take home items supplied by OH-Missouri.

"I think (Operation Home Front) brings the Families out because they know they are getting free food, time with their husbands and then we get to take free stuff -- I think it gets the Families involved," Penney said.

In the past, Penney has received donations from OH-Missouri like Halloween costumes, movies, toys and diapers.

"At Christmas, they gave each child a toy, so after they saw Santa they were able to go into the toy box and pick a toy," Penney said.

The 787th MP Bn. FRG is an entire unit concept and a value added part of the daily operations, Thrash said.

"The FRG is part of who we are everyday, not something separate that we do -- that is key in my opinion," Thrash said. "When Families feel wanted, respected and know they are members of the team … watch out, because good things will start happening. Bottom line -- we just want to make life better for the Families in this unit, especially in a unit where you have drill sergeants that are working six days a week, 14 to 16 hours a day."