Care-package items collected

With the help of the community, a Green River boy was able to raise about $1,650 and truck loads of care-package items for Wyoming soldiers.

Green River High School freshman Ryan Deutsch isn't new to collecting monetary donations or care-package items for the troops.

In fact, he started when he was in the fifth grade. He heard about a program called Hometown Heroes from Monroe Intermediate School teacher Lori Hastert; and a passion for helping the troops was born.

"It's just the right thing to do," Ryan said. "I appreciate what they do for us so I want them to have something that reminds them of home."

Each year, Ryan's efforts only seem to improve.

This year, Ryan wrote letters to local businesses asking them to donate aluminum cans, items on his care-package list or money. His mother, Karrie Deutsch, also put the information on her Facebook page.

"I save our soda cans and my dad's beer cans all year long," Ryan said. "I didn't drink as much soda this year because of wrestling."

No matter how many cans Ryan saves, he knows he can always get more, which is why he asks businesses and friends for help.

Soon, the donations, in various forms, started coming in. The Green River Police Department, Green River Fire Department, Washington Elementary School, Castle Rock Hospital District, Mansface liquors, along with friends and family donated cans to Ryan. The cans were then taken to Pacific Steel and the money he received went toward the care-packages.

Some businesses like Loaf N Jug, Albertsons and Taco Time donate food instead of money. Wyoming Embroidery donated huge towels with a bucking horse on them.

There was 76 people and businesses that donated either, cans, money, food or postcards.

"But most of the food comes from mostly friends and family, but there are strangers who donate to me," she said. "Other businesses donate money and that pays for items or shipping."

Ryan collected $1,650 in money and about couple thousand in other donations like food, soaps, towels, fitness stuff and condiments. Karrie spent about $360 purchasing care-package items they did not receive much of, including shaving cream, foot powder, medicines, food, nuts and other snacks.

"Soldiers really like hot sauce," he said. "This year, we had things come from Colorado and even a company in Virginia helped out. They sent speed ropes, resistance bands and even a new digital camera."

It is hard to believe that Ryan learned to support his troops at such a young age, but considering his families background it shouldn't be too surprising. Currently, Ryan doesn't have any family members serving in the military, but his fourth great grandfather, William HB Sprankle fought in the civil war.

"My mom found his records doing her ancestry stuff," Ryan said.

Ryan's cousin was in Army, his dad was in the Marines, his uncle was in the Air Force, grandpa was in the Navy and his great grandpa also served.

He has seen first hand just how important it is for soldiers to receive care packages.

"Because we take a lot things for granted, so sending these packages is a way of saying thank you for fighting for our freedom, Ryan said. "This year, I was collecting for 33 soldiers from Wyoming."

"Ryan was doing his collection for the 33 men in the Wyoming Army National Guard A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 300th Field Artillery out of Gillette, Wyoming," Karrie said. "This year we did take the time to put the care packages together for those 33 Soldiers he was collecting for."

Receiving attention

Through all of his efforts, Ryan has started drawing the attention of others, both locally and out-of state.

It's not surprising, considering he raised $350 in the fifth grade, $1,125 plus $189 in cans in the sixth grade, $1,124.10 in the seventh grade and $1,650.42 in the eighth grade for a total of $4,438.52. Of that, $713.52 was from cans, plus thousands of dollars in food and merchandise.

So far, he has received three American flags from others as a way for them to show their appreciation to him for all he is doing.

The first flag was from the Dark Angels, which are from D Troop, 1st Squadron, 17th Calvary Regiment in the Army. There were 119 soldiers in their troop.

"I got a thank you letter, a certificate and two flags flown over Jalalabad, Afhanistan; and they also gave me their troop pin too. It's pretty cool," Ryan said.

The second flag was flown over the American embassy in Bahrain. The packages that year went to the Army National Guard 133rd engineer company from Cheyenne. Ryan also received letters from U.S. Senator Mike Enzi and U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis that year.

"It is an honor when a soldier gives you a flag. Their special to me because they are happy that I sent them these packages and I'm glad I can help them," he said.

Most recently, Harry Holler presented Ryan with an American flag that was flown over the White House.

"To be awarded this flag is an honor because it was flown over the White House and I thought it was cool to get this flag," Ryan said.

The flags from the soldiers are on a shelf in my room. The Dark Angels pin is on one of his old karate belts. The American flag Harry Holler gave Ryan is on his dresser. Ryan's mom framed all of my certificates and letters.