San Mateo letter-writing campaign keeps connection to 101st Airborne Division

“He said to [Linda] that they weren’t getting any care packages, they’re not getting support from back home, and they’re feeling demoralized. But if they had a city adopt the unit, that would lift morale,” San Mateo City Clerk Martin McTaggart said.

Though the division is based in Kentucky, Patterson approached the City Council at the time, asking them to adopt the division, which it unanimously approved.

Patterson visited Vietnam shortly after to share the news, but unfortunately her brother died by the time she got there.

“Since then, it’s been a mission of hers to keep this alive,” McTaggart said.

The city still maintains its connection to the division, with numerous elected officials and staff visiting Fort Campbell over the years. McTaggart and Councilmember Danielle Cwirko-Godycki went this summer to celebrate the unit’s 50th anniversary of its deployment to Vietnam, and the unit has a permanent exhibition at the San Mateo Public Library.

The city is also restarting a letter-writing campaign in honor of Veterans Day. Starting at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, residents can come to the Elk’s Lodge and write letters to the troops.

San Mateo has hosted letter-writing sessions before, however, it’s been several years since its last event.

“It really is transformative when you meet the soldiers and you talk to them about the support in San Mateo,” McTaggart said. “It really is breathtaking that they put their lives on the line in active duty, and they’re serving their country, and yet when you speak to them they’re so appreciative of the support they get. Not every unit within the military has an adopted city, so it’s a real point of pride.”

Letters can also be dropped off at the City Clerk’s Office until Thanksgiving, when the letters and care packages will be mailed.