Netafim supports troops with morale packs

Some of the items included in the morale boxes.

FRESNO, Calif. -- Michael Giese, a customer service representative at Netafim USA was taken aback when he opened the USPS package from Afghanistan.

Inside was a U.S. flag that had flown over the U.S. military base in Asadabad, Afghanistan.

Giese had led a company-wide campaign at Netafim, an irrigation manufacturer, to prepare morale packs for troops at Forward Operating Base Wright in Asadabad. His fellow employees and local sponsors went all out and gathered more than 350 pounds of popular snacks, healthcare supplies, books and magazines, sporting goods, notebooks and more, and packed them in large cartons which Giese took to the post office.

Along with the supplies were 80 hand-written letters from students at Easterby Elementary School in Fresno.

“I was amazed how the community came together to support this effort,” said Giese. “No matter how we feel about the war, everyone wanted to support the troops.”

The soldiers at FOB Wright expressed their appreciation by sending Giese the U.S. flag with a certificate of authenticity and a thank you photo.

“Our entire company was behind the campaign, but we never expected to receive any replies," Giese
said. "The flag and certificate were a complete surprise and very humbling. I’ve been told by friends in the military that this is the ultimate show of honor and respect. We’ll be displaying the flag and certificate with the dignity they deserve.”