WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Susan Collins was pleased to be able to deliver more than 100 balsam sachets to Maine soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan during her recent trip to the Middle East.
“It gave me great pleasure to bring to our troops a little gift of balsam sachets from Washington County, the fragrance of Maine. They were delighted with the sachets. A Maine soldier told me that he would hang the sachet by his cot so that he could dream of Maine,” said Senator Collins.
The balsam sachets were handmade by Mary Baldwin at the Wreath Shoppe in Harrington.
This was Senator Collins’ third trip to Iraq and Afghanistan. She spent the week of December 12-19 in Baghdad, Ramadi, and Basra, Iraq and in Kabul and Khost, Afghanistan. As always, the highlight of her visit was her conversation with men and women from Maine serving in these dangerous lands.
“I am so impressed by the men and women of our armed forces,” said Senator Collins. “Our troops are brave, dedicated, compassionate, and highly skilled. They are a credit to our nation, and they enhance the legacy established by those who wore our nation’s uniform in previous generations.”
**PHOTO ATTACHED**
(Photo shows Senator Collins posing with soldiers from Maine in Afghanistan, each holding a balsam sachet that Senator Collins gave them.)