Sgt. Kathleen Taylor normally unpacks medical and dental supplies at the Army Reserve Center on Wrightsboro Road - day in, day out.
But on top of that, she has been packing - helping pack and ship care packages from home for not only the 319th Transportation Company, but also other service members of different units.
"The 319th is just like my family," she said. "We talk, eat and hang out together from time to time, just like family."
The 319th, in fact, is her family: her husband, Gary Taylor, retired from the unit in September.
Sending comfort items to troops - baby wipes, candy, cookies, etc. - is a way family members and the community show support for this extended family, she said.
"The Army is giving people what they need and does a very good job of it," Sgt. Taylor said. "But these things are what soldiers might want. MREs are great to eat but don't have cookies or candy."
The generosity of locals has been touching, she said.
"One dear lady brought socks to send over there," Sgt. Taylor said. "That's so sweet. I never would have thought how much their feet were sweaty."
Stationed with the 806th Medical Company, Dental Services in Augusta, Sgt. Taylor met her husband shortly after she arrived for duty in Augusta in 1999.
Besides helping family members and strangers send letters and other items overseas, she keeps busy with a regular job.
Stocking shelves might not seem very glamorous, but it's still important in case her unit is needed, she said.
"Keeping the shelves stocked and ordered makes us mission-capable," Sgt. Taylor said.
Her shelves have all the basics to perform dental care: face masks, tooth removers, scalpels, sanitizers, local anesthetics - even X-ray film.
Sgt. Taylor has been in the Army Reserve for 10 years and is currently active-duty reserve, which means she works full-time in the Army.
"My parents were worried when war broke out, but I told them this is why I came into the service," she said. "I came in to help protect this country, and it means a lot to me to be in this position."
SGT. KATHLEEN TAYLOR
AGE: 27
RESIDENCE: Augusta
HOMETOWN: Fort Devens, Mass.
PROFESSION: Medical supply specialist for the 806th Army Reserve Medical Company, Dental Services. Army reservist since 1993, stationed in Augusta since 1999.
FAMILY: Husband, Gary Taylor, retired from the 319th Transportation Company; two children, ages 3 and 1
Reach Jeremy Craig at (706) 823-3409 or at jeremy.craig@augustachronicle.com.
