The Pilot News - Cookie Train delivers taste of home to soldiers

“They were all very, very good,” said Miller of the cookies. He also noted that all packages the military receive in Iraq are welcomed and that the packages that come from people who aren’t family members may even me somewhat more special.
“These are people that don’t even know who we are. But when we get them, we know that everyone back home is thinking of us and that really matters,” said Joshua smiling with his arm around his wife, Deana who sat with son, Cody, on her lap completing a beautiful family portrait.
Miller was home on leave recently from Iraq from Jan. 22 through Feb. 10, spending most of his time with his wife and son. He was lucky enough to get home in time for his son’s fourth birthday, something which was unplanned.
Deana explained that while coming home for a planned Jan. 24 arrival while at the connecting airport in Atlanta her husband learned that he could get on the next plane which would bring him into South Bend in time for a celebration. He rushed to get something to eat at Burger King and caught the flight just before it was ready to leave. Mom didn’t tell Cody that Daddy was on his way home, but instead decided to surprise him, telling him that they were going to the South Bend airport to take the train to Chicago.
Neither father nor son recognized each other right away since both had changed somewhat since their last reunion. Cody also was a bit confused wondering if they were going to Chicago, but after he realized they were not, he said they should take him to one of his favorite celebration places.
“We promised him that the next day we would be going to Chuck E. Cheese,” laughs Deana reflecting on the moment.
Besides Chuck E. Cheese, the couple also decided that would not be the only celebration of sorts. They decided to renew their vows at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Jan. 31 during his time home.
The father and husband noted that everything during the visit home was special to him, even just sitting and spending time with his wife and son. He added that when he is in Iraq, he is often so busy he cannot take time to let them know what is happening in his life.
“It’s so much harder for them. They don’t see or hear what’s going on,” he said adding that he cannot tell his wife some of the things she might want to know, such as where his unit is currently located in the country.
His job with the 927 Combat Engineers driving roads in Iraq in special vehicles that find roadside bombs is one that he cannot divulge details because of safety and security. He said while it sounds terribly dangerous, it can be taxing and boring at times, especially when they are not moving. His group does not diffuse any found bombs, but calls another unit who specializes in such work to do so. Almost all of their work is done during the cover of night.
While boredom can be bad, the weather can sometimes be worse. Unbelievably hot, the weather in Iraq at times has been miserably intolerable with heat as high as 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit.
“You step outside and immediately you are drenched in sweat,” he said.
Packages with special treats and such are welcomed, he added.
“It really is nice when we get something,” said Miller.
It is comments like his that make the project worthwhile.
“Anything to help our men and women in uniform,” said Cindy Fisher of the Bremen VFW Ladies Auxiliary who said that their group enjoys all projects that they are involved in including visiting those at the Indiana Veterans Home where the auxiliaries from the state host a bingo party.
The Cookie Express project has raised $1500 which has been set aside for the project so that soldiers serving overseas who cannot buy their own cookies receive them. “The bakery does all the work,” said noting that they are always looking to receive names and addresses of those from Bremen who are serving.
Those who would like to give them a name and address can visit the Bremen VFW/American Legion building so “they can get their cookies,” added Miller with a smile.