Months before her son joined the U.S. Marine Corps, Denver resident Linda Olson signed up as the regional director of Homefront Heroes, a Grand Junction-based nondenominational organization of volunteers offering support for troops and their families (online at ). Olson, the wife of a Vietnam War veteran who served two tours, vividly remembers the hostility toward Vietnam War veterans when she was a schoolgirl. To help today’s troops, she organizes events like the Remembrance Rally planned for Tuesday, the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. The rally will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Grizzly Creek Framing & Gallery, 5545 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada.
Have you always been a patriot?
I’ve always been patriotic. Some people are super-patriots. Maybe it’s how I was raised – all the old Girl Scout stuff. I remember, when my children were little, we used to go put the flags out at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Veterans’ Day. One Saturday, my daughter, Anna, said to me, “It’s good that it’s raining today.” I said, “Why?” And she said, “So they can’t tell that you’re crying.”
Did you think, then, that you might one day be the mother of a veteran?
No. But I’m proud. I’m scared. I’m weird most of the time. When I say the words, “My son just left for Iraq,” it sounds like someone else’s words are coming out of my mouth.
Do you worry about his safety?
I think about it, yeah, but then I just push it away. My children have always been God’s. He lent them to me.
What kind of services does Homefront Heroes provide?
Homefront Heroes Wearing the Armor of God is the full name. We minister and serve those who serve. The intent is to empower ordinary Americans – people without connections to VFW’s and the American Legion – to help our fellow Americans overseas. Simple as that.
How?
Like, last fall, the Marines asked us to raise some money for school supplies for schools they’d built in western Iraq, so children can finally go to school in real classrooms. So we answered that call with 100 boxes of markers, pencils, notebooks, everything. One company donated 50 stuffed animals.
What else have you sent?
Girl Scout cookies! Last year, I had 20,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, but only enough money to send 10,000 boxes overseas, because as volunteers we pay for the shipping ourselves. Then we got an offer from a trucker who took boxes of cookies to bases in the States, and we sent more cookies with him.
What are you looking for now?
Polymer crystals. We can help make these necktie things filled with the crystals, which retain water, to help keep the troops cool.
What do you hear from the troops after they receive your packages?
It is so heartwarming. It amazes me how surprised they are that Americans who don’t know them would send them stuff. One unit flew a full-size American flag in my honor – in my honor! – and mailed it to me. I’m not worthy of that! I’m just a little worker bee. That’s all I am, and all I want to be.
