The Importance of a Pillow

How much does the average American know about the people fighting for their freedom and what they go through? Does the average American know the U.S. Military considers the pillow a non-essential item? Soldiers are not issued pillows from the military when they are deployed. Pillows for Patriots is a non-profit organization based out of Beaufort, South Carolina. This organization sends deployed soldiers small pillows to carry with them while in the field. The soldiers are fighting for our freedom and usually know exactly what they sign up for. The typical American, on the other hand, has no idea what the American soldiers do for freedom. Pillows for Patriots tries to do their best to help the people fighting for our country by giving them a touch of home.

Pillows for Patriots was started by two mothers who realized their sons and fellow soldiers needed pillows to take into the field. Soldiers do not get a lot of sleep when overseas, but when they do get to sleep, they deserve to be at least a little comfortable. One of the mothers, Barb Farrior, said in an interview, "The first two times he asked for a pillow and set of sheets.  By the third deployment I knew he would be asking for a pillow and that the government did not issue pillows or other comfort items."(Farrior) This was the start of the organization. John and Patrick Harris are the owners of Harris Pillow Supply in Beaufort, South Carolina. Harris Pillow Supply in Beaufort, South Carolina agreed to make the pillows for the organization at a low cost. Barb Farrior says the first donations that helped make the pillows was due to her local newspaper and television.(Farrior) The first set of pillows went to Farrior's son's company. Farrior recalls, "On that sad day when they were leaving I was all teary eyed as were other relatives and friends and then I looked up and saw my pillows strapped to the rucksacks and felt elated that my program was working."(Farrior) Imagine being a Farrior and seeing the hard...