The Fourth of July started perfectly for Ashley Chitwood because her telephone rang.
For the first time in a week, she heard the voice of her husband, U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Kevin Chitwood, calling from 7,000 miles away in Afghanistan.
"It can be two or three weeks at a time when they're on a mission," she said. "I'm much luckier than some."
Later Mrs. Chitwood stood at the Chattanooga Market coordinating an effort for the Family Readiness Group, which hauls in donations and materials to send to troops abroad. By the time the market wrapped up at 4 p.m., hundreds of household items surrounded the booth.
"We've got about eight grocery pallets that are filled -- and stuff stacked on top of them," she said.
Mosquito repellent, flashlights and microwave popcorn shared floor space with feminine hygiene products and disposable razors. An impressive collection, but Mrs. Chitwood said none of those filled the biggest void.
"Of course, the baby wipes," she said. "To wipe themselves down, it being so hot over there, getting up to 120 degrees during the day."
Standing a few feet away, Operation Desert Storm veteran Joe Grimes remembered 1991 in Iraq. Torrential sweating and a lack of meal options came to mind, he said. He stared at the goods, shook his head and smiled.
"That's like gold," he said. "You're over there, but when they send it, it reminds you of home."
He paused, remembered the holiday and considered serving his country when he did.
"I'm thankful that the one I went to wasn't nearly as intense as what's happening in Afghanistan and Iraq," he said. "Doing what they're doing now, I can't imagine."
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