Little things can mean a lot.

Especially if you are a US. Army medic stationed in Kuwait, or a member of the 101st Airborne Division's transportation unit in southern Afghanistan, where items people stateside take for granted don't come easy.

Since late last year, the Berkeley Township Republican Club has been sending care packages to the 101st and the 3rd Army's 1197th Company, a logistics unit deployed at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. To say the goodies are appreciated would be an understatement.

"My medics here went through the boxes like crazed hyenas," said First Lt. Tommy N. Vu, with the 329th Medical Company GA, in a letter to club trustee Lloyd Mullikin. "They all grabbed a little something and were very thankful for the personal hygiene gear. We have a PX on post here, but it is way too small for the amount of troops that are on base. We truly appreciate your organization's kindness and if there's anything we can do for you guys, please let us know."

The 101^st Airborne unit is comprised of 40 mostly young soldiers, including five women, that provides logistical support to the front line combat troops in one of the most dangerous part of the Afghanistan war zone, Mullikin said. 

The GOP club learned of the 1197th company through Don Marshall, former state V.F.W. Commander and a longtime member of the V.F.W. Post 9503 in Berkeley Township. Marshall died last week at 61. His funeral was held at St. Barnabas R.C. Church in Bayville today.

"Don knew we were actively involved in supporting the 101^st and wanted to know if we could do anything for the 1197^th" Township Council Vice President Carmen J. Amato Jr. said. "In fact, Don Marshall put me in touch with an old classmate through the Operation Uplink through he VFW. I still can't believe Don's not with us anymore."

SGT. John King is part of that unit. King is a graduate of Central Regional High School.

"Carmen, thanks for everything out here," King wrote in a recent e-mail. "There are a lot of units out here and they all appreciate what you all do for us.  I just got a few boxes, so I'm going to load my van and get to some other units. I hope each unit returns a thank you.  That was their only instructions to receive a box."

The club is still accepting donations of toiletries, energy and granola bars, instant beverages, tea, coffee, small coffee makers, spices, sauces, magazines and reading materials, personal non-military clothing like sweatshirts and T-shirts; and school supplies, hard candy, toys and clothing that can be shared with the children in Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Mullikin, Amato and Township Councilwoman Judy Noonan have spearheaded the drive.

Residents interested in donating some of these items can call Mullikin at 732-269-1397 or e-mail: lloyd.mullikin@gmail.com or Carmen@carmenamato.com; or call A.R.M.S. at 732-890-4914 or by e-mail at: usslibertyhouse@comcast.net.

SPC Benjamin Russell, an HR specialist stationed in Arifjan with his New Hampshire National Guard Unit, also thanked the club for the donations.

"I recently received one of your unit boxes from SGT John King," Russell wrote to Mullikin in in an e-mail. "I will make sure everyone in the unit gets to rummage through the box and take stuff they need. It's nice to get things from back home and know there are a lot of people supporting us while we are away. I also want to thank you for your previous service. It's great people like you that make a difference in the world."