by Frank Lee
operations@thenewsleaders.com
Becky Carlson’s brother was killed in the Vietnam War almost half a century ago, but she keeps his memory alive by sending care packages to American troops around the world.
Her nonprofit organization, “Becky’s Troop Care Packages,” ships monthly care packages as a sign of support and a way of saying thank you for troops’ service to their country.
“I’m a Vietnam vet. I know what it was like to get a care package,” said Ken Schulte, a 65-year-old Army veteran from Sartell. “When somebody sent you something, it really meant a lot, and most veterans know that, especially Vietnam veterans, especially care packages from home.”
A spaghetti dinner and auction will be held March 19 at the Sauk Rapids VFW Post 6992 on North Benton Drive to raise funds for Carlson to continue her work with care packages.
Schulte said of Carlson, “It’s something she’s doing for the people who defend our country every day.”
Each care package to the troops includes a handwritten letter expressing gratitude for their sacrifices and contains about $45 worth of items.
“I thought I should give back to the soldiers a little bit because they are always there for us,” said Carlson, who lives in St. Cloud. “And I lost a brother in Vietnam.”
Her brother, a Marine, was killed in 1966 in Vietnam at the age of 21. Carlson, a wife and mother, retired from her work with special-needs children in the St. Cloud School District. She began sending care packages to American troops on foreign soil about 14 years ago.
A typical care package from Carlson might contain candy bars, Lifesavers, beef jerky, red licorice, magazines and more that might make a homesick soldier feel not so far from home.
“I like to honor my military,” said Carlson, a woman who was honored two years ago by being named one of TV station KARE 11’s “Eleven Who Care.”
Paulette Carlson will also appear at the Sauk Rapids fundraiser. The country singer-songwriter rose to fame in the 1980s as the founder and lead vocalist for the band Highway 101, which had four No. 1 hit singles and seven Top 10 hits.
“She’s been around for a lot of years. She’s from Minnesota,” Schulte said. “She’s very well known to Minnesotans.”
The March 19 fundraiser will be served from 4 to 6:30 p.m., with a silent auction from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and a live auction at 8 p.m.
For more information, visit the official Facebook page of the Sauk Rapids VFW Post 6992.
A spaghetti dinner and auction will be held March 19 at the Sauk Rapids VFW Post 6992 on North Benton Drive to raise funds for “Becky’s Troop Care Packages,” a nonprofit that ships monthly care packages to troops deployed around the world.
