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closeMaj. Robert Ashcroft celebrated his 48th birthday a long way from home.
Robert is a civilian employee at Robins Air Force and lives in Cochran. He is a major in the Army Reserve. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004-’05, and to Afghanistan this past March.
His birthday was in April. In May, he was still waiting for a birthday package to arrive from his family. His wife, Rhonda, and sons Gary, Kyle and Cody had promised him an iPod.
He was surprised the day that not one but two packages arrived for him at the Combined Security Transition Command in Kabul.
“Wow,” he thought. “My family really loves me!”
He opened the first package and found the iPod filled with songs his sons had downloaded for him.
The coveted “care package” also included everything from candy to toiletries to books and magazines.
The second box was somewhat of a mystery. It had a shipping label with his name and list of the contents from the first package. It had been sent from a post office in Atlanta and was addressed to “The Allen Family” in Hollywood, Calif.
In military terms, that was a misguided missile.
He opened it anyway, and was amazed at what he found inside. It was an expensive snow globe, a gift for a baby.
OK, the iPod was pretty cool, but there was no “global” warming inside the little globe, either.
“You shake it up and snow falls on this beautiful scene,” said Robert. “This one also had a wind-up part that played baby lullaby songs.”
A few of his co-workers teased him about it. The next day, he rewrapped the gift and sent it to California.
He wrote the Allens a short note trying to explain how this tiny snow scene had done some major globe-trotting. The post office had made a 17,000-mile boo boo.
Last month, Robert received a large package in the mail from the Allen family. Inside was a note.
“My name is Elizabeth, and I am so happy my globe arrived after such a long journey. You are very kind and honorable. If I could, I would have written all this by myself.”
Elizabeth’s parents, Tim and Jane Allen, wrote that their daughter was born in March, the same month Robert was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
They told Ashcroft his letter “reminded us of just what it takes to keep this world, as we know it. We were so affected by your letter and, in a small way of appreciation, we have sent this care package.
“We really honor what you and your fellow soldiers do. It is literally impossible to express our appreciation. Thanks again for the time and energy to send along her gift. More than that, thanks for all the sacrifices for those of us at home. You are in our hearts and minds.”
The package contained the usual assortment of goodies. But one item opened Robert’s eyes more than any snow globe.
It was a complete DVD set of all eight seasons (1991-’99) of the TV comedy “Home Improvement” and a “Binford Tools” sweatshirt.
Robert always loved that show, and could relate to it. Like the show’s main character, Tim Taylor, he is the father of three boys.
The letter was signed by actor Tim Allen, proud father of Elizabeth, and included a P.S.
“Did a few years on a television show. I thought I’d add it to the care package.”
Reach Gris at 744-4275 or gris@macon.com
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