Local woman reestablishes roots, and starts special 'Operation Gratitude' project to support active duty military and others who serve

By Karen Edelbach

"This looks like something that's right up your alley," yarn group coordinator, Char Dickerson told Pamela French when an article in a crocheting magazine about Operation Gratitude caught her attention this winter. It explained that Operation Gratitude provides hand made items such as hats and scarves to be included in military and other public servant care packages, and was looking for more participants.

"My heart was drawn to this project right away," Pamela says. "I love it that it's a personal item, such as hats and scarves hand made for the military. Some of those in the military have no one to care about them."

After reestablishing her roots here when she moved to Bagley two years ago this June, Pamela French got acquainted with the local yarn group which meets at the Bagley Senior Center. Crocheting is one of her passions, along with her love for military service. So, when Pamela heard of Operation Gratitude, a project which was started to show that the sacrifices of those men and women who protect and serve the public are greatly appreciated, she jumped right into it. 

Since working intimately with active duty military personnel for over ten years as Medical Readiness Coordinator in Huntsville, Alabama, Pamela knows something of their struggles and needs. She worked with Special Forces, Pilots, Rangers, and Survival Resistance Forces, mostly in the Army.

The local group of ladies participating in this project crochet and knit head bands and neck warmers besides hats and scarves. Ruth Reichert, Donna Olson, Char Dickerson, Vicki Moes, Carol Williams, along with Pamela are regular contributors for the project. Several others have donated items or yarn that is used for creating the hand made items. 

"The ladies love being involved in this project," Pamela says. "They are very passionate about it!" They have created many dozen items for this project to date.

Their accumulated efforts will be sent to California in late March or early April in time to be included for Military Appreciation Month, held in May.

"Handmade with Love" tags can be printed to include with the items. Items are made of soft yarns of muted colors such as browns, grays, dark greens and blues, plums and reds.

A labor of love for Founder Carolyn Bashek, it is a mission to serve those who serve. Since the project's creation in 2003, Operation Gratitude has sent more than 2.3 million care packages to deployed troops, first responders, veterans, wounded heroes, caregivers and military families through the generosity of volunteers and donors. Since last year, Operation Gratitude received 75,000 knitted and crocheted hats and scarves from across the nation to include in the care packages, along with other items and personal messages to boost morale. 

Red is especially significant for this project, as the acronym RED stands for "Remember Everyone Deployed". People throughout the nation are encouraged to wear red on Fridays to honor the military in uniform during May. Red scarves are included in care packages sent out in June. 

Pamela has veterans in her own family too, making this project even more meaningful to her. Her father, Jerome Hagen, now deceased, spent 10 years in the Navy. Her Uncles Lowell, Gordon and Richard (deceased) were also in the military. Two of Pamela's brothers spent time in the Army and Air Force. Lowell and Gordon Hagen, two nephews, and four grand nieces are still in the area.  

Pamela's parents, Jerome and Jeanne (Mathewson) Hagen both grew up in the Bagley area, then moved to Oregon, where she was raised among seven siblings, and where her mom and many remaining siblings still reside. They would often return to the Bagley area to attend family and school reunions around the Fourth of July.

After retiring, Pamela visited the Bagley, but spending a winter here, she determined this weather was just too cold for her and retreated for a warmer climate. However, after considering the alternatives of tornadoes in the south, and hurricanes on the coast, winters didn't seem as bad and decided to return to Bagley. 

"After all, it's just cold here!" she remarks. 

She lives in the old hospital building that has since the 1970s been converted to  apartments. She thinks it is quite unique that her mother's niece Marty Gedstead Neeland,  and also Aunt Maxine Gedstead worked as an LPN there in the very same building where she now lives. In addition, her Grandma Martha Mathewson and great Aunt Minnie both lived in apartments there. 

Pamela received a Bachelor degree in Psychology in 1989 from Western Washington University. She has worked as a mental health specialist and supervised suicide and child abuse hotlines in the Portland area.

Pamela's motto is to live one day at a time, and live it to your fullest!  

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift - that's why it's called the present," is one of her favorite quotes. 

If you are interesting in this project, call Pamela French at 218-401-1651. Hand made items or yarn may be donated at the Senior Center in Bagley for this on-going project.