FORT LEE, Va. (Oct. 23, 2013) -- While the war in Iraq ended many months ago and troops in Afghanistan will soon be coming home, the supportive spirit of the American public -- especially for military members serving overseas -- has not diminished.
One of those waving the flag of support is Shirley White, whose enthusiasm has progressed beyond words into the realm of toil and deeds. The grandmother of nine children has spent the past four years making hats for Soldiers who want a little comfort underneath their helmets.
The United Kingdom native and troop cheerleader has used her 79-year-old hands to crochet more than 934 hats thus far. She said her work is a matter of gratitude for what service men and women do.
"I'm just thankful for them," said the Dedham, Mass., resident in a telephone interview. "That's made me want to do more."
The retiree said she began her ongoing project when a relative asked another relative for a hat to wear in Afghanistan where there are dramatic drops in temperatures throughout the year.
"They were looking for wool hats to wear under their helmets," she recalled. "I said, 'Give me the pattern and I'll do it.' I made two hats, and it's gone on and on and on."
The hats, commonly called watch or skullcaps, are made of medium-heavy wool yarn, fit snugly on the noggin and are designed to provide warmth in the winter and act as a sweat barrier in the summer. Each takes approximately two hours to complete and White produces them in various colors and patterns.
Additionally, she attaches each with a note that thanks the wearer for "serving our country" and expresses optimism that they'll "be home soon, safe and sound."
White, her heavy English accent intact and a phone manner that brings to mind the actress Angela Lansbury, said mass production of the hats started after she and her husband met a few Army recruiters during a Florida vacation. They started a conversation, White offered her services, and the recruiters requested a few for their office mates. One recruiter later suggested she contact Fort Lee. She was glad to, and over the past few months, has donated roughly 70 hats for Soldiers slated for deployment.
Lorna L. King, mobilization and deployment program manager, Army Community Service, helped to coordinate White's donation. She said she is generally elated with the generosity shown by citizen-supporters but was blown away by White's contributions of kindness.
"I think it's the love behind it," she said, having spoken to White by phone only. "This lady, who is married to a (U.S. Army) World War II Soldier she met when he was deployed to England, said her husband received a care package from a stranger when he was overseas and it made a huge difference. She said, 'Wouldn't it be nice if a Soldier received something from a stranger and it made a similar difference in his or her life? What she's doing is fantastic."
King, a former Soldier herself, said Soldiers need have a sense that they're not alone in their endeavors and something as simple as a hat can convey such a message.
"Things like this mean a lot to young Soldiers," she said. "For them to deploy and receive something from somebody they've never met and who thought about them … it's fantastic."
Fort Lee gained the services of White after another installation didn't do enough to retain them. White said she halted deliveries there because she never got word the hats made it to the troops.
"I never received acknowledgement," she said. "I wondered to the point, 'Are they getting there and are they getting to Afghanistan?' That's what really worried me."
Worry no more. As a part of her duties, King spends time with Soldiers and family members prior to deployment. She will distribute the hats as a part of her future duties and will do so with a measure of humility.
"I am humbled and so proud of the American people," she said. "We still have these ordinary people from all over the country who want to do good things for Soldiers."
As for White, although she likes making the hats, she said there is a possibility her services will no longer be needed -- which is fine with her.
"I hope it comes to a point where the war comes to an end," she said, "and if it comes to an end, then I would have to finish making hats."
Fort Lee, primarily a training installation, has only two deployable units. It deploys roughly 100 Soldiers yearly.
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