'Red Dirt Daughters' Urge Oklahomans To Help Thank Veterans

Colleen Chen, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- They sacrifice their time, their safety, and sometimes their lives and a new group of Oklahoma women is launching an effort to thank service men and women.

Red Dirt Daughters are launching Operation Red Dirt on Veteran's Day. Red Dirt Daughters is a business that promotes Oklahoma products and businesses. Operation Red Dirt is their non-profit effort to help Oklahomans thank the military.

"It just grabs you. You think about it and they are risking their lives not only for our freedom but the freedom of others," said Red Dirt Daughters CEO Terri Heddleson.

There is a deep purpose in the Operation Red Dirt mission, and it is centered around people like Air Force Staff Sergeant John Werth. Werth has served two tours of duty in Iraq, and is now helping the Red Dirt Daughters serve.

They enlisted Werth to help come up with items those serving really want and need in care packages.

"I've personally seen guys cry because they got a pair of socks or something to read because they haven't had it in a while. Life over there is not easy. It has it's ups and downs," said Werth.

The women of Red Dirt Daughters hope to collect as many items as possible to make and mail meaningful care packages to soldiers overseas.

"Nothing that we do would be possible without the military," said Red Dirt Daughter Lauran Jennings.

The effort means a lot of Werth.

"Not only am I a veteran, but my father and my brother are also veterans so it has a special place in my heart," he said. "To any Oklahoman who wants to help the program, I think it's a great thing and I personally thank you because I know what I went through when I was over there."

The Red Dirt Daughters will start collecting items and donations on Veteran's Day. The list of what Werth suggests for care packages is on the Operation Red Dirt Facebook page.