The Center for Professional Studies (CPS) did its part to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

In November and December, staff and faculty members collected items—including Girl Scout cookies, cross word puzzles, comic books, batteries, chapstick, candy, cards, air fresheners, and arts and craft supplies—to fill six boxes that were sent to the 75^th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron “Tiger Sharks” stationed in Afghanistan.  

Among the members of the squadron was Nursing Enrollment Coordinator Kevin Carpenter’s son, Nathan.

“We wanted [the squadron] to know that, especially around the holidays, we were thinking of them,” said Enrollment Coordinator Lisa Marciniak, who helped organize the collection and “adoption” of the squadron. “Kevin kept us updated on his son’s events and pictures during his deployment, so we all felt strongly about doing our part.”

According to Marciniak, a notice was sent to all CPS staff in November and a final collection day was set to coincide with a monthly staff meeting in early December. More cash was collected than was needed to mail the packages, so the group decided to put the money toward a future mailing.

The CPS staff was recognized by the Tiger Sharks, which are out of Moody Air Force Base in Valdost, Ga., with a plaque and American flag that was flown over Afghanistan aboard an A-10C Warthog piloted by Captain Christopher “Venus” Petek. The plaque reads: “Let it be known that this American flag was flown in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. It also displays America’s resolve to defeat the terrorists who committed the attacks on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.”

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The Tiger Sharks were in Afghanistan for six months, participating in an Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) rotation, in which different squadrons are rotated through Afghanistan. They are currently home and expect to remain home for a year to a year-and-a-half.