An unexpected Christmas card for the Holidays

By Sgt. Alon HumphreyJanuary 17, 2019

An unexpected Christmas card for the Holidays
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Kierra Grant, a South Carolina Native supply specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division (Rotational), shows off a holiday Christmas card sent from eighth-grade students at Mesa Verde ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
An unexpected Christmas card for the Holidays
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Christopher Mullenix, religious affairs specialist, 123rd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division (Rotational), smiles as he reads a holiday Christmas card sent from an eighth-grade student at Mesa Verde ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
An unexpected Christmas card for the Holidays
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Danny Gonzalez, San Diego, California native, human resource specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division (Rotational), shows off a holiday Christmas card sent from an eighth-grade stud... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea - Being away from family and friends is stressful. Receiving letters and packages can be the best feeling when you're a deployed service member.

The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division (Rotational) human resource team helps lift service members' spirits with care package deliveries from loved ones.

"Within a 48-hour span, I try to get the service member their mail or care package," said Terrel Haywood, North Carolina native, human resource specialist, 3rd ABCT, 1st AD. "I feel their morale especially improves when they receive an unexpected care package from people other than their family members, letting them know that the're serving abroad but not forgotten."

Kelly Kangas, eighth-grade teacher, Mesa Verde Middle School in San Diego California, reached out to 3rd ABCT, 1st AD, to send care packages. Third ABCT is currently deployed on a nine-month rotation with the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division.

Kangas' students wanted to become pen pals and boost the morale of service members while deployed during the holidays.

"When I received my Christmas card, I cried a little," said Kierra Grant, a South Carolina native, supply specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3ABCT, 1AD. "It...hit home for me. Being away from my family for the first time during the holidays, receiving this card made me call them instantly."