Girl Scouts get greetings from overseas soldier
By Jim Smedley
Staff Writer

NORWAY – Brownie Girl Scout Troop 537 received a dozen belated Christmas cards on Wednesday.

But the Brownies certainly didn’t mind.

They were excited that U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alek Platt took the time to return the cards they had sent him before Christmas.

Platt is stationed at Aviano Air Force Base, 10 minutes away from Aviano, Italy.

Troop 537 co-leader Kathy Keene said an Internet friend told her about Platt and that he would appreciate some holiday correspondence.

“It’s a good idea,” said Sarah Phinney, 6, of Norway. “I sent him a Sponge Bob Square Pants card. I like Sponge Bob. He does funny stuff.”

Platt sent a card to Natashia Wordell, 9, of Norway that she shared with the troop.

“My wife and I have many things to be thankful for,” Platt wrote. “Your card is beautiful. Keep smiling.”

Keene, who co-leads the troop with Harley Coyne-Ortiz, said 14 of the 16 Brownies sent Christmas cards. Two girls were sick when cards were sent.

Eleven girls received a card from Platt, as did Keene.

“I told the girls who didn’t get a card that their card was tied up in the mail and would probably be here tomorrow,” Keene said. “I told them I would personally deliver them when they came.”

Platt wrote to Keene that he shared the cards with others and that the cards made the troops there feel the support from back home.

Keene said her Brownie troop in 1976 sent Valentine cards to troops in the 127 Aviation Support Battalion, nicknamed the Warhorse Battalion, in Kaposvar, Hungary.

They sent her Brownies a certificate naming them honorary Warhorse soldiers.

The Brownies agreed that they wanted to send Valentine cards this year.

But it would be to their favorite senior airman, Platt.

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