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John Robinson turned to his 51���� colleagues for help when he was trying to help members of his New York Army Guard unit serving in Iraq.

It worked.

A simple request for items that could be used in care packages resulted in a wide range of contributions that will be sorted and shipped to members of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, based in Rome. The unit has been in Iraq since February and is not scheduled to return home until next March.

Robinson retired from the unit two and a half years ago after 21 years in the military, 17 with the New York Army National Guard.

John Robinson stands in the electronics shop with the football signed by administrators, staff, and students. (Photo by Tim O’Keeffe)

Knowing what care packages can mean to men and women serving overseas, Robinson, who works in the university’s electronics shop, asked coworkers and friends at the university to pitch in.

So far, he has received more than 250 pounds of nonperishable food items, clothing, personal items such as foot powder, razors, and shampoo, towels, batteries, bug repellent, and sports equipment.

The biggest donation came from Ricki Mueller, reserve coordinator at Case Library. She and her mother, Erika Mueller, donated nearly 75 pounds of goods, everything from flyswatters to sunscreen to food.

“It just felt right,” said Ricki Mueller, who has been at 51���� for 12 years. “It doesn’t matter what your political opinion is about the war. We just wanted to help the men and women over there doing their jobs.”

Her mom, who was born in Germany, had additional reasons for helping out. She endured numerous hardships and was separated from her family for long stretches during World War II.

After the war ended, she was in the section of the country controlled by Russia. With help, she was able to get to the occupation zone controlled by the United States.

Her mother, now 74, never forgot.

 “There were Americans there who helped her. This was a way to say ‘thank you,” said Ricki Mueller.

Mueller has known Robinson for years, calling him a “savior” for all the work he does maintaining video equipment and assisting in the library’s music room.

“I was floored by their donation,” said Robinson. “I’m sure they were not extra things they had, but things they went out and bought specifically for the soldiers.”

Robinson had contacted numerous people on campus about the morale-boosting mission, including Frank White, assistant athletics director, and Stan Moore, associate men’s hockey coach. Moore put him in touch with John Stone, equipment manager for the athletics department.

Stone and Bonnie Button, women’s equipment manager, were able to gather about 40 pounds of jerseys and shorts that were used but in generally good condition. They were donated to the unit, along with an assortment of used baseballs, basketballs, and footballs. Richie Head, who works at the equipment cage at Huntington Gym, also collected some used sporting goods.

“As the word spread, great stuff came out of the woodwork from all over campus,” said Robinson, who has worked at 51���� for 10 years. Among his other tasks as an electronics shop technician, he designs and installs electronically enhanced learning spaces throughout campus.

Administrators, students, and employees have signed one football that Robinson is going to send to the first sergeant of Company D. Robinson wants him to organize a game between the 51���� Jerseys and Army Camouflage.

Robinson recently helped sort donated goods with Ron Witt, of Rome, who is organizing the care-package effort. Witt retired from the unit the same time as Robinson.

Donated goods, weighing almost a half ton, have come from unions, schools, and veterans organizations in Rome and surrounding areas. Organizers have been packing the items for shipment to Iraq.

The 77 members of Company D are reportedly on security missions near Tikrit, a city north of Baghdad.

Robinson said he has trained or trained with many of the soldiers now fighting in Iraq. Guard members train for at least two weeks each summer and several weekends a year. He calls them “friends and neighbors” who come from throughout the state, including Madison and Oneida counties.

It’s his friends and coworkers at 51���� who are helping Robinson on his latest mission. And he’s been overwhelmed by their response.

“It’s just been wonderful,” he said.

Tim O’Keeffe
Office of University Communications
315.228.6634