IN THE PIPELINE:

As of this past Sunday, I wasn’t sure what this week’s column would be. I had a couple of thoughts in mind, but it was approaching deadline and I needed to commit to something. Then, while standing at the back of Saint Bonaventure church during 9 a.m. Mass, I noticed a postcard near the bulletins — it was advertising something here in Huntington Beach called “Ukes for Troops.� The photo of the dozen or so servicemen all holding ukuleles was enough for me. I knew I had a column that trumped anything else I was kicking around. Divine intervention, perhaps?

When I got home I contacted Anita Coyoli-Cullen, the program director of Ukes for Troops, and she told me all about the music she’s been creating the last few years for our troops. It all started when her daughter, Diane Gilliam (Marina High School Class of ’93), joined the California Army National Guard. In 2003 Anita began sending care packages not only to Diane (then serving in Afghanistan as an interrogator), but to her entire unit. She would go online and find companies that sold products that they could use and convince them to send over a free case or two to her daughter’s unit. Anita even procured free cat food for some feral cats her daughter had adopted. Soon, she became the co-leader for the Family Support Group of a National Guard Unit.

On Nov. 23, 2003, Diane was severely injured in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Thankfully, she would recover, and during her healing her mom found yet another way to help support the troops. As Anita describes it, “In my travels I ran across a Hawaiian Ukulele and Gift Shop, Island Bazaar in Huntington Beach, which was owned and run by Shirley Orlando. This was of interest to me since my husband is part Hawaiian and he wanted to learn how to play the ukulele. I introduced myself to Shirley and found out that she had never even been to Hawaii, but that she has always loved everything Hawaiian. This was the beginning of what has become a very close friendship. You see, Shirley’s brother had served in Vietnam, and she felt very moved by my involvement with the troops. In January of 2005, Shirley and I were talking about sending care packages over to the troops, and she asked me what I thought about sending ukuleles to the troops. I thought it was a great idea, and I told her that I would help her with this project.�

Some 1,500 ukuleles later, Anita’s idea has proven to be a stunning success — thanks in large part to the magic of the whimsical instrument. From the time the first shipment arrived, Anita told me the troops went wild over the instruments; they added a dimension of joy and escape to many men and women who are bravely and selflessly serving the United States of America.

According to Anita, “The response from the troops and their families has been overwhelming. We have received many pictures and e-mails from the units who receive the ukuleles. They have told us how they go to sleep at night with the sound of the ukuleles and wake up to the sound of them. The Iraqis love hearing them play and even come into to compound so that they can listen to this strange new instrument. Some of the Iraqi soldiers that are being trained by the U.S. have even asked to be taught how to play the ukulele themselves.�

Support for the unique program comes from many places today. Local ukulele clubs, major ukulele manufacturers — they all play big parts in donating instruments, supplies, time and money. There is even a documentary in the works about Ukes for Troops.

Becoming a part of this worthy cause is easy. A donation of $25 is enough to send over one ukulele set up, including a songbook and postage. If you check out the website www.ukesfortroops.com you’ll be able to see many photos of the troops with their ukes and learn more about how to help.

One of the things I like best about Huntington Beach is that there seems to be a deep community spirit when it comes to saluting and supporting our soldiers. This kind of small-town, Main Street style of patriotism is something to be proud of, and also something to cultivate.

Anita, we salute you, and your daughter. Please put me down for a ukulele. And let those troops know we wish them home safe and soon.

CHRIS EPTING is the author of nine books including his latest, “Led Zeppelin Crashed Here, The Rock and Roll Landmarks of North America.â€� He also hosts “The Pop Culture Road Tripâ€� radio show on webtalkradio.net. You can write him at [email protected].