iPads For Soldiers Keeps Families Connected
MIAMI (CBS4) - A South Florida family who started a program to support soldiers overseas had special reason to celebrate this Christmas.
Captain Wesley Pritchett, a helicopter pilot who spent most of this year in Afghanistan, arrived home just in time of the holidays.
"It's such an incredible feeling being home," said Wes.
His mother Winnie Pritchett echoed his happiness, "That makes it really what Christmas is all about, all of us being together but we're always thankful that he's here but thinking of all the guys that are there and all the guys that have served."
The family isn't just thinking about other soldiers, it's working to support them. Winnie Pritchett started the iPads For Soldiers program as a way to keep troops connected with friends and family.
"We started this thinking it was going to be a small thing -- one or two times giving out one or two iPads," Winnie Pritchett explained, "all the people we've talked to and told our idea to, they take it to heart and they take it on as their own cause. We've had little pods across the country just taking it up raising money and sending iPads to our troops."
This year the Pritchetts said 600 troops overseas and in the hospital have received iPads.
Captain Wesley Pritchett said they make a big difference, "whether reading books or playing games, it's just real easy to break the day to day grind of war."
The Pritchett's family friend Christian Brophy will take one with him when he deploys to Afghanistan next year.
"Especially as a soldier that's one thing you want to remain most in contact with people and that tool is a great help," he said.
It's a gift that benefits soldiers and their families, and the family who started it all hopes even more soldiers will receive iPads in the new year.
