Caring work helps soldier connection

By CAROL MARINO

In the children's book, "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes," a young girl follows a Japanese legend and folds 1,000 paper cranes in hopes her wish to be well again might be granted.

Written by Eleanor Coerr, it is the true story of 11-year old Sadako Sasaki, a victim of what was known in Japan as "the atom bomb" disease. She was 2 when the bomb was dropped on her city of Hiroshima during World War II. By the year she died of leukemia in 1955, she had indeed folded more than 1,000 paper cranes.

Today the paper crane has become an international symbol of peace.

In Kalispell recently 100 Christmas ornaments were carved by hand and sold by members of the High Country Carvers to buy phone cards to help those serving overseas to keep in touch with their loved ones over the holidays.

Becky Goeres, member of the club for eight years, wrote, "A small chickadee, hanging from a delicate thread, a simple idea became an unexpected gift."

The response by the public was tremendous, Goeres says. One-of-a-kind Santas, snowmen, chickadees and mountain goats were snapped up by shoppers at the Sons of Norway hall's annual sale.

Through the carvers' generous gift of time and talent, they were able to purchase 99 phone cards at 640 minutes apiece. The cards were delivered to the Montana National Guard and have since been distributed to deployed soldiers.

"We are so proud of you and appreciate your service to our country," reads a holiday greeting enclosed with each card. "Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we hope you have a safe return home soon."

"In times of war, it is so important to be able to keep families and soldiers connected," says Kari Boardman, local Family Readiness program assistant for the National Guard. The program also reaches out with assistance to families within the community, providing those in need with phone cards to contact their loved ones overseas.

While seeing sons and daughters and husbands and wives return home safely is what so many families are praying for this holiday, hearing the voice of a loved one across the miles is a gift to be treasured.

Goeres thanks all who bought their hand-carved ornaments. "Your purchase will bring many smiles."

Though the holidays will be celebrated by American soldiers in barracks and tents far from home and separated from their families, phones will be ringing and wishes will be made for an end to the war and a safe return.

In 1958, three year's after Sadako's death, a statue of her holding a golden crane was unveiled in Hiroshima Peace Park, built from contributions by Sadako's classmates and from young people across Japan.

The children of Sadako's homeland also made a wish that is inscribed at the bottom of the statue which reads: "This is our cry, This is our prayer, Peace in the world."