Stockings of joy from home

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Stockings full of anything from games, to candy and to, in some cases, the necessities of life were delivered to the dorm rooms of Wolf Pack servicemembers here Dec. 24.

"The stockings were a gift from the city of Lubbock, Texas," said Capt. Monica Wu, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron asset management flight commander. "This community comes together each year to put these stockings together for the Wolf Pack."

According to Wu, this stocking tradition began when a former Wolf Pack Airman's mother wanted to show her appreciation for those stationed here. It has been a regular practice ever since. Wu said she has been working very closely with this dedicated mother of a former Wolf Pack member to make the event a success yet again.

"The coordination began in June when I first arrived on station," Wu said. "We kept in contact and she [Dona Nussbaum] explained how the stockings were made and how they would arrive."

Each stocking was handmade, Wu said. Some were made by artists, others by children of all abilities and even more by both adults and children with all sorts of disabilities.

"They all wanted to do something for our Airmen," continued Wu. "The stockings were delivered on Christmas Eve. It occurred at night so the servicemembers could find the gift Christmas morning."

However, according to Wu, the stockings were made for Airmen and Soldiers of all ranks.

"Three thousand stockings were made so everyone could receive one," she said. "The stockings were delivered in 600 boxes and we received them in late November. We then hid them in places around base to pass out during Christmas."

Kunsan is known as one of the Air Force's last "warrior bases" with servicemembers assigned here for a minimum of a one year unaccompanied tour. Wu said she feels the stockings will bring members of the Wolf Pack closer to family and friends and it's all thanks to a small town in Texas.

"These stockings will bring each of us a little of home," she said. "Kunsan is a unique tour where everyone is away from their family, some for the first time. These stockings will be a reminder of how much support we have from the states and a reminder that we are cared for during the holiday season."