Martin Methodist College Helps Extend Aide and Support in Iraq

By Chris Megginson, Director of Sports Information, Martin Methodist

Posted 08.23.06 on the NAIA Champions of Character Site

PULASKI, Tenn. – Students are arriving on campuses across the nation and fall sport seasons are just days away from their start. Last year’s game ball for soccer, football or volleyball are tossed into the pile of summer camp balls, and the soccer net and volleyball net are most likely tossed in a closet. However, Martin Methodist College recently found a means to recycle their previous season’s equipment in the deserts of Iraq.

During the past season, SSG Shane Duncan, of the 1/115th Field Artillery unit of the National Guard, and his fellow soldiers returned to base one day to find a gift from MMC including a volleyball net, ball and pump donated by the MMC athletic department.

Duncan asked his wife Kelley to search for a way to possibly find a net and ball to give the troops something to use for recreation when not on mission, for up to then it was all sand and no "beach" volleyball.

"My husband asked if I could find one for them. My sister-in-law and a friend told me to talk to [Athletic Director Jeff] Bain, because he is known to be supportive and spirited," said Kelley. "It wasn't but a few days [after I talked to him] and he had not only a net, but balls and a pump."

After receiving Kelley's request, Bain asked his athletics staff, specifically head volleyball coach Rose Magers-Powell, to help locate the items to be sent.

"I immediately thought of several older nets that had been in storage for several years,” said Bain, “however I wanted to speak with Coach Powell before calling Kelley back. Mid-way through my conversation Coach Powell interrupted me and said, ‘Jeff give her whatever she wants! But, don’t giver her the old practice nets, give her our game nets, with the steel cables. Anything we have is hers.’”

Kelley and Duncan’s family members poured the MMC athletic department with notes of thanks for Duncan and his unit.

"The sands of Iraq have been touched by these gifts from Martin Methodist. It is the gifts from home that mean so much to these brave men so far away from our beautiful country that is their home," said Kelley, who communicates with her husband frequently via e-mail.

However, the service to Duncan did not stop with the one simple gift. Upon placement of this story on the MMC athletics website, GoRedHawks.com, a call was received by Teresa Hoover of Liberal, Kan. Seeking information on how to get in touch with Duncan’s family.

Hoover was listening to her radio one afternoon, tuned into 102.7 the Legend, and heard a story about Soldiers Angels, a non-profit group organized by a soldier’s mother in 2003 with the mission to provide aide and support to U.S. troops. She immediately began researching the group and applied to adopt a soldier. Just days after the story about Duncan was published on the MMC web in July, Hoover received a letter with her soldier’s name, SSG Danny Duncan of the 1/115th Field Artillery unit.

Even though chances were rare that she would find more information on her soldier, she decided to search online. At the top of her Google search list was the MMC story on SSG Danny “Shane” Duncan.

”If it hadn’t been for the act by the school and that article, I may not have been able to get a hold of Kelley and find out what Shane needs and wants the most,” said Hoover.

Bain, Powell and Hoover are just a few of many across the nation that have been given the opportunity to give whatever is asked to help provide for a soldier.

”I was reminded how something so simple in our lives here at home, would be a luxury in a war zone, and of a wife’s sincerity to do all she can do to help husband away at war” said Bain. “If he sends another message home – needs something else, we’ll send it! That is the least we can do compared to what they are doing for us, our children and our country.”

Duncan, deployed from Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and Kelley have two children, Cody, 15, and Keaton, 11.

In addition to sports equipment there are numerous ways to donate good to troops. Visit www.SoldiersAngels.org for more information on adopting a soldier, submitting a soldier to be adopted or to find out how to help. Also, contact your local National Guard, Army, Navy and Marine units to find out what needs your local troops may have.