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Thursday, December 8, 2005
Aunt Judy sending packages full of love to nephew in Iraq
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Matt’s her only nephew.
And her daughters consider him a brother.
“When Jennifer and Jillian were growing up, one of their favorite things to do was go to Birmingham [to visit Matt],” Judy Wilkes of Lilburn told me. “They adore him.”
Aunt Judy was standing in line behind me Wednesday morning at the post office off Britt Road. I was mailing off an order for a Christmas gift via priority mail. She was shipping two packages.
“I’m back again,” she told the clerk, laughing, as she approached the counter.
Back again.
What could be so important?
Turns out, it’s family.
The books, magazines and cookies are for Matt Reeves, a second lieutenant in the Marines. He’s in Iraq, overseeing 71 men near the Syrian border. Their role is top secret. Matt’s family doesn’t even know.
“He’s very focused, but the area he’s in is very dangerous,” Wilkes said. “I worry about his safety.”
He’s an only child, born 23 years ago to Rhonda and Wayne Reeves. His new bride, Danielle, lives on a military base near San Diego with two dogs — Riley and Ani.
Poor Riley.
He hasn’t adjusted to Matt’s absence. He gets excited when he sees other Marines at Camp Pendleton. He thinks his master is back.
“Danielle had to put him on medication for depression,” said Wilkes, an administrative assistant for Bradshaw, Pope & Franklin, an accounting firm in Norcross. “He’s having a tough time.”
So are friends, parents, grandparents, cousins and Aunt Judy. They cope.
Their love gets wrapped, taped, boxed and shipped. It’s expressed through packages of CDs, DVDs, socks and Ramen noodles. Some items are just for Matt, others to share with his men.
Like the Claxton fruitcakes. Wilkes’ employer paid for three boxes of them — one for every soldier. The South Georgia company that makes them paid shipping costs.
“I wrote Matt and told him they were on the way,” Wilkes said. “I wanted him to know that there’s enough for all of the men, just in case one box arrived before the others did.”
In her office, Wilkes flips through a folder of postal receipts for items she’s mailed since September. The combined weight of the packages totals nearly 300 pounds. That doesn’t take into account what his parents have shipped over.
“My brother, Wayne, and Rhonda really miss him,” Wilkes said. “And Matt loves them to death. He’s a loving, caring individual. Full of integrity.”
One day, Rhonda Reeves asked her son why he joined the Marines.
“Mom, everyone owes this to their country,” he told her.
And in return, we owe the soldiers something.
“Just support them,” Wilkes said.
“Knowing that someone cares means a whole bunch. Whenever we see a soldier in uniform, we should stop and thank them for what they are doing, whether you’re in agreement with why they are there or not.”
Thanks, Matt.
• Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
