Mission's Freedom Wall brings care packages to troops

ST. IGNATIUS — For a small town, it sure has a lot of troops. Thirty-eight percent of Mission's citizens are on active duty— about 4 percent of the town's population.

At Harvest Foods, a Freedom Wall stands proud with pictures of Mission soldiers on display. Many of them are in their early twenties, while about a dozen are recent St. Ignatius High graduates.

Why does this town produce so many young people who enlist in the service?

"There is a lot of pride in this town," said Rick Marquart of the Marine Corps League of Polson.

Since February, one soldier from the Freedom Wall is selected to receive care packages for him and his troops. Last month Daniel J. Blood was sponsored. He received nine packages consisting of nonperishable goods like magazines, phone cards, baby wipes, lotion and other supplies.

Blood graduated in 1998 and has been active since March 7. He is currently in Iraq.

His mom, Colleen "CoCo" Blood, stands looking at the board, clearly moved by the efforts she sees to remind the troops that they are missed and loved.

She worries about him, but the Freedom Wall provides her some comfort, she said.

Sgt. Sean Brannan is this month's care package recipient. Brannan was hit with a 120 mm shell that was booby-trapped to a garage door. Brannan was hit upon entering the garage. Fortunately, he survived.

The Freedom Wall was erected by the Mission Valley Honor Guard. MVHG members Bill Blood, Daniel's cousin, and Rayman Michell were present to show their respect to the troops.

Marquart and the MVHG would like to thank a local resident, who wants to remain anonymous, who is graciously donating $50 a month to cover shipping costs of the packages.