Fla. Wing's Painter heads 'share package' campaign to support troops

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Lt. Col Dewey Painter readies "share packages" for overseas troops.


Maj. Douglas E. Jessmer
Public Affairs Officer
Florida Wing

FLORIDA -- As his son deployed in the 1991 Desert Storm liberation of Kuwait, Lt. Col. Dewey Painter found a way to support the troops from the home front.

Long after his son -- a U.S. Marine Corps amphibian who helped take back Kuwait International Airport from invading Iraqi soldiers -- left the battlefield -- Painter is still assembling "share packages" for overseas forces. More than 60,000 packages have been shipped in the last 19 years.

This year, he's also pushing for a Valentine's Day special delivery of hearts for the troops.

"Since inception of the programs to support the troops, over 60,200 care packages have been sent as well as five semitruck loads or container loads shipped to support the troops," Painter said. "During their tour of duty in Iraq, enough supplies were sent to the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division to ensure everyone got something."

A Civil Air Patrol chaplain for eight years, Painter left the chaplaincy to start the Springfield Composite Squadron. He also leads Mission Harvest America, a nonprofit humanitarian aid organization based in Jacksonville.

CAP members began helping the initiative after Painter joined CAP in 1998.

Painter's military service informed his dedication to those who serve. He entered the U.S. Army Reserve in 1958 before moving moved to active duty in the U.S. Navy, advancing through the enlisted ranks, becoming a warrant officer, then earning his commission. He was decorated by all four military services while serving three tours of duty in Vietnam, and he earned numerous decorations over his 22-year military career.

Outside CAP, he recruited local organizations and churches for the care-package effort.

"Soon, the veterans service division of the city of Jacksonville was partnering with the CAP effort to support the troops," he said, "and has remained an active partner for the past 10 years."

CAP’s involvement started locally in the Jacksonville area, then grew.

"The desire to support the troops escalated to a wing-wide effort and then into a Southeast Region effort, where it has continued," he said.

A 40-foot container of supplies is now prepared and ready for delivery to an Army division in Iraq.

"Over 100 packages have also been sent to this unit," Painter said. "Their location is very isolated, and they do not have access to stores to get basic items."

"The care packages are making a difference," he added.

CAP members across the region have pitched in and will have something more to work for as Painter expands to a Valentine's Day delivery.

"Operation Heart" was launched to send valentines to deployed troops, Painter explained. His goal is to get 1,000 cards signed and sent, along with 1,000 unsigned cards for troops to send back home. The cards will come with care packages "full of goodies," he said.

"There are all kinds of calls," he said. "Reveille, chow call, charge calls, general quarter calls.

“But there is no call like mail call."



"Operation Heart"

For Valentine's Day, Col. Painter and his volunteers are sending care packages with cards -- one signed, the other blank so a soldier can send it.

Donating greeting cards: You can send Valentine cards to Painter's Mission Harvest America, where volunteers will pack the cards into the packages, adding snacks and other items troops request.

Donating goodies and other items: Several drop-off locations across Florida are available, and items are sent in bulk to the Springfield Composite Squadron, which Painter commands. You can also buy gift cards at Sam's Club or Walmart and mail them, so volunteers can purchase supplies for the packages tax-free.

Sponsoring a box: Using the large U.S. Postal Service flat-rate Priority Mail boxes, postage is $13.50 per box. You can sponsor individual boxes or a group.

Sening tax-deductible contributions: Mail greeting cards, contributions, gift cards or sponsorships to:

MHA m/f Operation Heart
69 Copeland St.
Jacksonville FL 32204

For more information: E-mail ltcpainter@gmail.com or phone 904-356-4819.