The Donicas Support The Paratroopers Of The 3/509th
October 2007 Able Company photo taken in Kuwait before entering Iraq.
Dustin is in the second to the last row, far left.
This post written by Judy Donica on March 15, 2007 tells about Dustin’s sister Courtney’s successful efforts to raise money for her brother’s memorial fund at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas to help Operation Iraqi Freedom wounded warriors (see www.dustindonica.com for information). Courtney also established a pen pal list with her college friends and the troops who were single and unattached. During the Geronimo’s deployment in Iraq, the Donica family continued to send care packages to Dustin’s platoon after he was KIA in Decemeber of 2006. Dustin’s family remains involved with the 3/509th in an active way. Even though their mission has changed since Dustin’s death, they will be a part of the 3/509th family forever.
The families of Able Company want the Donicas to know that their fallen hero will not be forgotten, as they are loved. With grateful hearts, thank you, David, Judy and Courtney, for your service to this country and for sharing so much with all of us.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
“The nation which forgets its defenders — it too will be forgotten.” -Calvin Coolidge
Judy made wonderful pillows from some of the event t-shirts.
“Here is what transpired with the “Battle of the Bands” at Denison College. Courtney’s former roommate actually got it started. Denison usually does a battle of the bands fundraiser each spring. Bethany approached Courtney and asked if Courtney would like it to be done in Dustin’s memory this year. Bethany would handle the details, but if it was too hard for Courtney to do something like that at this point she would understand and back off. Courtney said she would think about it. The next day Bethany came back and told her she had met with the college administration, gotten approval, had a date set, 3 bands arranged and 2 student organizations as sponsors. It was off and running after that. Courtney supplied the info, (website www.dustindonica.com so that the administration could check out BAMC, etc.; see it was legitimate, etc.) and met/talked with administration, and had final approval on the tee-shirts, opening statement, etc. They set up tables to sell tee-shirts (I will be sending some to the guys once the XL’s come in), write cards (I’ll send those with shirts), and had donation buckets for each band. Students could make a donation to their favorite band. The band that got the most donations was named winner of the “Battle of the Bands”. They ended up having 7 bands. It started at 10:00pm (late for us old folks – I flew to Ohio to be at the event, and it ended at 1:00 am). I should note that Bethany’s brother is at Fort Benning, GA going thru basic training, then hopes to go to OCS. He was in a ROTC program at his school.”
LETTERS TO THE TROOPS
“Courtney and some of her friends are writing to the list of single soldiers that Dustin gave her and that Shawna (Dailey) and Peter (Shoemaker) added to. Courtney picks a different name each time and writes to him and the “group”. I don’t know how many others are actually writing. Dustin gave her the list of singles because he didn’t want to cause problems for those with wives or girlfriends.”
CARE PACKAGES TO IRAQ
“Regarding care packages, the parents and aunt of two of Dustin’s closest friends asked for a list (single and married) to send packages to. The aunt took it to her church so that the choir and Sunday school classes could participate. I still send packages to the group, too. Dustin gave us free rein to put whatever silly stuff in the packages that we wanted, anything to brighten his day and put a smile on his face. So, Courtney and I decided we would continue that tradition with the packages and letters. In the Valentine’s Day box I included chick flicks…Dustin would have laughed, said my mom’s crazy and then enjoy watching them. The next packages will contain plastic filled Easter eggs, etc., just things to momentarily take their minds off of where they are and the dire conditions they are enduring. This will help to let the soldiers know that back home people are thinking of them, too. I told Peter (Shoemaker) he has to defend me and tell them I’m not crazy! These guys were some of Dustin’s closest friends and I want to do this for them. I know that Dustin would want me to continue the “crazy” fun and traditions.”
Love, Judy
