Operation Otterbein
CardinalCorps Leader Matt Lofy created "Operation Otterbein" in 2007 to asssist U.S. Troops who were fighting overseas. In its initial event, Otterbein came together to collect 500 lbs of food, entertainment and other supplies that were sent to aid the soldiers.
In 2008, supplies were sent to the K-9 section at Camp Bucca in Iraq. One of the recipients was SGT Tabitha Pindell, the sister of Tim Pindell, who is the Network Engineer for Otterbein's Information Technology Department. Tim is married to Deb Pindell, who is the Copy Center Supervisor at Otterbein.
The CCE received letters from SGT Pindell and SGT Colon thanking us for sending care packages to them. These letters follow as written:
To the students and staff at Otterbein College,
On behalf of the Camp Bucca K-9 Section, I would like to extend our gratitude for your thoughtfulness and generosity. We were thrilled to receive the many care packages that you put together for us. With the abundance of personal hygiene items, we were able to share the wealth with many other military members here as well. Also, we will be sending some of the dog treats to other kennels across Iraq. We are a small section here at Camp Bucca and are often times overlooked so we are honored that you would think of us.
On a personal note, my name is SGT Pindell and my Military Working Dog (MWD) is SSG Aris. Our home station is Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Aris is an eight year old German Shepherd who loves to play in the snow and would fetch forever if I didn’t stop him. Together, Aris and I are a certified narcotic detector team as well as a certified patrol dog team. For the most part, our mission is to conduct walking patrols all over the base ensuring the safety and security of the military members and civilian workers as well as government property.
Aris and I have been deployed here at Camp Bucca, Iraq for a few months and will be on our way home soon. With the thoughts and prayers of the many kind people like you at home, the time here seems to be going by quickly. I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am to be a K-9 handler. People stop to talk to Aris and me on a daily basis to tell me stories about their dogs at home and how much they wish they could have them here. I may be far from home but I’m with my best friend and I’m never alone. He’s my guardian always by my side.
Thanks again for your thoughtfulness. I am proud to be serving our country and grateful for all your support.
Sincerely,
SSG Aris (MWD) and SGT Tabitha Pindell"
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To those of you in support of Operation Otterbein,
I am giving you all a “Thank YOU” for providing us with these wonderful care packages. It was so nice to see that these care packages were for our dogs as well. We are kind of the forgotten Soldiers (K-9 Handlers) and so are our Battle Buddies on 4 legs. So again my partner Mikey and I want to give you all a BIG THANKS. All of what you have donated and done for us put smiles on our faces and made happy little doggies. Okay, they’re not so little but they were happy too.
Mikey and I are stationed out of Fort Benning, Georgia. We are a certified narcotic and patrol team. Mike is a three year old Belgian Malinois. He is full of energy and chews everything and I mean everything! He’s been happily chewing away on one of the bones you sent right now. My Mike is an extremely loyal dog and I am proud to be his partner.
Thank You,
SGT Colon and MWD Mike"
