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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 6, 2006 Three-year-old Ben Roebuck, right, salutes as an anthem plays on his brother Tryston�s toy tank Thursday at their Jacksonville home. The family got Christmas gifts from an anonymous donor while the kids' father, Robert Roebuck, serves in Iraq. Family thanks secret G.I. Santa Mother of two, whose Army warrant officer husband flies Apache attack helicopters in Iraq, says her anonymous benefactor is a retired Marine Corps family By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — Kellee Anderson Roebuck wants to thank the anonymous individuals who brought joy to her family over the holidays. But the mother of two whose husband is serving in Iraq doesn’t know whom to thank. "All we know is that it was a retired Marine (Corps) family who has been helping service families for a long time," said the Jacksonville resident. "We wanted to give them a huge ‘Thank You!’ to let them know how much the gifts were appreciated," she added. "We’re not saying this just for us, but for everyone they’ve helped over the years." She and her husband, Robert Roebuck, have two sons, Tryston, 8, and Ben, 3. The elder brother is a student at Jacksonville Elementary School. Advertisement "Normally, my husband would have gone out with the kids and buy presents," she said. "Because he’s gone, we really haven’t done that — I wouldn’t go out and buy presents for myself." The anonymous Santas filled in for her husband. There were Turkish towels with their names embroidered on each one. There was a gift certificate for the new Super 8 motel in Central Point with its water slide where the family could spend a weekend getaway. Both boys received toys, including an artillery tank and soldiers for Tryston and a "Dora the Explorer" game and playhouse for Ben. Kellee Roebuck got a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure. The greeting card contained a short, hand-written letter: "Merry Christmas, I’ve spent many Christmases without my father while he served his country in three wars. We are thinking and praying for peace and happiness for your family. Happy holidays, a retired Marine’s family." A secretary at the elementary school told the Mail Tribune that the donor family had contacted the school about showing support for a local family with someone in the service. The identification of the donor family was a mystery to her, the secretary said. A 14-year Army veteran, Robert Roebuck is a warrant officer who flies Apache Longbow attack helicopters. He is expected to return stateside in March following a year in Iraq. However, because of his training and the year he spent in South Korea before being deployed to Iraq, he hasn’t been home for an extended stay in three years, his wife said. He is attached to the Army’s 3rd Armored Cavalry Division based at Fort Carson, Colo. Although her family isn’t down and out, the gifts dropped off a few days before Christmas warmed their hearts, said Kellee Roebuck, a 1994 graduate of South Medford High School who was raised in Jacksonville. An Army veteran herself who served as a dental technician, she said the gesture will never be forgotten. "Our children were so ecstatic," she said. "Those people went all-out for us. We just want to thank them." Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at Family thanks secret G.I. Santa ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Advertisement s