FORT BRAGG, N.C. - We had the privilege to conduct a question and answer session with Odale Cress, who served with the 1st Ops Military Intelligence Battalion in Germany from 1981 through 1985 as a linguist during the Cold War. She created the Care Package Story Project in 2018 by re-creating care packages that she and other military service members received when stationed away from home. The packages date from World War II to present day and includes enlisted, officers, men and women from all branches of the armed forces.
When will you be at Fort Bragg with your exhibit?
I am working with the Throckmorton Library to set a date for the spring. It had been planned for display in September, but it suffered some damage at a previous location and the date had to be rescheduled. The display will be up at Throckmorton Library, and I will also be giving presentations at the library and in the Fort Bragg and Fayetteville area.
Where are you from, how long did you serve in the military, and what was your branch of service?
I served one tour of duty, as a Russian/Spanish linguist in military intelligence in the Army.
Do you come from a military family or do you have any family members in the military?
I have uncles and a father, two brothers and several nieces who have served or are currently serving.
When and why did you create this exhibit?
All care packages say "I love you," yet the foods and other items Families pack into boxes to express their love, longing -- even their humor varies wildly from Family to Family. Each package reveals traditions, culture, sometimes regional, or religious or ethnic background of each Family. By looking at the care packages, people can see a wide range of people who serve(d) this country.
When all the pieces of the exhibit are displayed together, they form an image that resembles an American flag -- and as people look at the individual panels, this range of people is evident.
The packages in the exhibit range from World War II to present day and include packages to women and men, officers and enlisted and members of every branch of the armed forces. It is large. At this point, it is 14 feet long, 6 feet high.
How did you go about asking for care package story material?
The contents of the packages come from my own memories of care packages that I and other people I served with, but also from stories other people told me about care packages they received or sent. I re-created each of the boxes myself, then photographed the boxes.
How long did it take you to put the display together?
It took me a couple of months of steady work to gather the stories, the foods and items, then create the packages as accurately as possible, then to photograph each one.
How many care packages do you have and are you still collecting?
There are 24 images currently in the exhibit, and I am working to create packages going back as far as the Revolutionary War. In a few months, I will add those panels to the traveling exhibit. Once the last few panels are added, it will be about 1116 feet long, 6 feet high.
But, I also continue to collect stories from anyone willing to share their stories with me. Some people just want to tell me their memories and others are also willing for me to share the story with others. Whenever I am told a story that the person is willing to permit me to share, I post the story on my website, on the "Your Stories" page at: www.CarePackageStoryProject.us
I know each package tells its own story, but is there one in particular that stands out? If so, why?
Good question, and you're right, each is special in its own way. One that seems to stand out to people is the one that tells the story of a Family getting together and spending all afternoon baking cookies for the older brother's birthday. Before they packed up the cookies to send off, though, they took a bite out of each one! This story is so specific and so universal at the same time that a lot of people can relate to it.
The other is, of course, the "Unopened" package I made as a tribute to those who did not come home.
When we look at the package, we don't know whether it was intended for a man or a woman or what rank or job the person held, what racial, ethnic or religious background the person came from or any other aspect of their life. What we know is that they served their country, right alongside their comrades.
When people see the exhibit on display, they can see both the whole -- the flag -- and they can see the individuals that make up that flag.
How often do you travel with the exhibit, how long is it displayed and where have you been in your travels?
The exhibit has been on display since mid-December 2018. I go to a location that has invited me to display it and I hang it up. I often give a presentation that tells the stories behind the-packages, anecdotes, tidbits of history embedded in the packages and so forth. At the end, people often want to tell their own care package stories. It is always fun and I learn something new every time.
Some venues who are interested in the project but do not have a place to display it, invite me to come give the presentation in the form of a slide show of the images featured in the exhibit, along with all the stories behind the packages, the anecdotes and historical tidbits and more.
The exhibit and/or the presentation goes to military bases, VA (Veterans Affairs) hospitals, USOs (United Service Organizations), VFWs (Veterans of Foreign Wars), American Legions, libraries, schools, universities, museums, historical societies -- military and civilian locations have been very receptive. I also have invitations to travel to bases overseas.
One place I am very happy to have shown it was at the Vermont Gold Star Families Conference in April 2019. I am also very proud that was featured in the August edition of the VFW Magazine this year.
What has been the reaction of those who have seen the exhibit or contributed to the exhibit?
People are usually very moved. Both the exhibit and the presentation are full of stories that are compelling, informative and poignant.
It also inspires memories of packages sent or received and people really seem to enjoy sharing those with me, either in person, or by email. I welcome them all.
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