Christmas stockings are headed to Afghanistan and the 322nd EN

The stockings will be on display in the window of Elaine's through Sunday

Members of Decorah's Hannah Lee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are making sure all 162 members of Decorah's 322nd Engineering Company know they're in our thoughts during the holidays.

Chapter members have been making stockings for the soldiers since last spring—162 stockings in all.  Local fabric shops have contributed fabric.  Chapter members who don't sew have cut out fabric or stacked fabric and batting for sewing.  Everyone has donated items, time and money to the project.

Since members of the 322nd EN will be returning to Decorah in January, the stocking will be stuffed with treats, gift certificates and other items that will either be consumed in Afghanistan or can be packed easily.

The Hannah  Lee Chapter has been sending packages to soldiers every month for the past two years.  For the first year the packages were sent to a randomly picked unit.  For the past year the packages have been going to the 322nd EN, since there is a local tie-in.  Chapter officials say they plan to continue their program, adopting another platoon next year after the 322nd EN comes back home.