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About
Op Love is a non-profit organization with regional coordinators of photographers across the States. The regional coordinators act as a main contact and organize area photographers in order to capture priceless moments for military families in the beginning, middle or end of deployments. Any military family, who would like to have pictures completed during the deployment, needs to have photos taken at least 60-90 days before the end of the deployment. Depending on how much notice is given, pictures can also be taken prior to deployment commencement. The photographer, who participates on a volunteer basis, takes pictures of the soldier’s family, arranges pictures in an album and sends to the soldier. You are allowed to have one session a year.
The actual photo sessions are free, and it is decided by the photographer what the family actually takes home with them. The photographer also pays for travel and other associated costs out-of-pocket. Angela offers a free 8x10 photo, as well as a small album for young children to have pictures of dad and discounts on additional items. Again, it varies from what the photographer is available to offer. Angela commented, “It’s not just for the soldiers, but for the family back at home, too. They are going through it too and sacrificing, as well.”
The program itself is supported by donations received via the web from corporations and others. Some of the strategies and objectives of Op Love is to support both the soldiers and their families, along with boosting morale. “It is hard for both the soldier and the family during this time. The soldiers just love them [pictures]. A lot of times the wives don’t tell them about the pictures, and the soldier gets this album of loved ones and it is such a surprise. Some have even shared that they look at it every day, it reminds them of home and keeps their morale up,” stated Angela.
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The soldiers love getting the albums and the family feels such support, as well. Everything is great. The only negative would be the snail mail overseas. Op Love really helps the wives and families. Pre-deployment pictures are great, especially if the worst case scenario happens, one would have that last memory of being together. Unfortunately, this did happen to a soldier from Fort Bliss. Op Love representatives got together to think what they could do for the family, since they had pictures. They created a huge canvas and numerous poses of prints. The President of Op Love then drove the package to the family’s home. The family was so grateful to have those memories.
Angela would share to all the Army wives out there, “We appreciate you, too. You are the backbone that keeps our military people there, all while taking care of home. We love you, too.” Army wives can reach out and help by simply spreading the word about Operation Love Reunited. Let your friends and neighbors know about it because due to the Department of Defense and other military regulations, we have certain restrictions about advertising. Please visit the website for more information and to find the nearest photographer, www.oplove.org.
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FEATURES
Operation Love Reunited is a program that was started by Tonee Lawrence in September 2006, and its headquarters is in Denver, Colorado. Tonee, an Army wife herself, went to meet her soldier for his homecoming and desired to have pictures to capture the moment; however, with all the emotions and her children, she was not able to get a picture.
That is the concept behind Operation Love Reunited (Op Love)-capturing those memorable moments of a deployment for military families. Angela Wilkes is the regional coordinator in the Oklahoma area, as well as the secretary on the Board of Directors. During our interview, she shared with me some insight into the program and the affects it has had on soldiers and families.
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Archives: Features
Angela Wilkes
Operation Love Reunited
by Brandy Maltbia Woodley posted June 2010
Brandy Woodley
Editor in Chief
