An open letter to Kagnew Station Alumni:

I don’t believe that anyone who served at Kagnew Station left there 
unchanged. The landscape, the rich history, the culture, and most importantly 
the people of Eritrea have provided us with an experience which has forever 
altered how we view ourselves and the world around us.

Jack Hanchett (Operations Co. 60-62) and I (Medical Corp. 72-73) recently met 
and found that we had a common desire. For many years since we left Kagnew, 
we had hoped to do something to help the people of Eritrea.

As most of you know, after thirty years of fighting, struggle, and sacrifice, 
Eritrea finally regained its' independence. The story of that effort was 
recently chronicled in a book by Dan Connell, "Against All Odds''. With 
characteristic resolve, the people and leaders of Eritrea have made great 
strides forward. However, the renewal of fighting recently has had a severe 
and devastating effect on the lives of the people of Eritrea. Now, more than 
ever, they can use any help we can provide. 

Nearly one-third of the population of Eritrea has been forced from their 
homes with little more than the clothes on their backs.  Some relief has been 
provided through governmental and private organizations in the form of food 
and medical assistance as well as some United Nations peace-keeping forces. 
While crutial, these areas of assistance are simply not enough. As the 
seasons change and the cooler weather approaches, they also need clothing. 
This is a way which we have found that we can help.

Jack and I, among others, have been collecting  much needed clothing.  
Working at the grassroots level we have already gathered and shipped two 
semi-tractor trailer loads of surplus clothing to Washington, D.C. where they 
have been combined with other donations and shipped to Eritrea by the 
Eritrean Community.  We have coordinated our relief activities through the 
Eritrean Development Foundation, the Eritrean Community of Washington, D.C. 
and the "Friends of Eritrea".  While our efforts have been welcomed, more 
help is needed. It is here that we ask you, the Kagnew Station alumni to help.

We have found that collecting surplus clothing is relatively easy when 
compared to securing the financing necessary to ship the clothes to Eritrea. 
It costs $5,500 to ship one container (8’ x 8’ x 40’) of clothing from 
Michigan to Massawa. Since we have enough to fill two containers, this 
represents $11,000 in shipping costs which we need to raise.

Currently, we have commitments for between $1,000 and $3,000. We need your 
assistance in securing the additional funds needed to ship these last two 
containers to Eritrea. Any size donation is welcomed. If you would like to 
help with this humanitarian effort, your "Tax Deductable" donations can be 
made to the:

     Eritrean Development Foundation (EDF).
     1111  14th St., N.W. Suite 1000
     Washington, D.C. 20005

Please note on your check or enclose a separate message indicating that the 
donation is for the Michigan clothing drive. The EDF will collect the money 
and arrange the shipping.

We all have many fond memories of our time at Kagnew Station and in Eritrea.  
Now is a time they need our help and this a way to provide some of that help. 
Even many small donations combined together can go a long way.  Let’s all 
see if we can make a difference for some men, women and children who are less 
fortunate than we.

  
Thank you in advance, and God bless you for your compassion and generosity.

David A. Junge, M.D.          Jack Hanchett
Medical Corp.                 Operations Co.
Kagnew Station ‘72-’73        Kagnew Station ‘60-’62