Ask anyone's opinion of the U.S. troops currently deployed in the Middle East, and you're likely to get answers varying from sadness to appreciation to downright anger.

But one local organization is using a program it is involved with to learn more about the realities of war and why those U.S. troops deserve recognition and support.

Skaneateles area Girl Scout Troop 29 is currently participating in the national Adopt-a-Platoon program, an initiative that provides support to overseas troops, as part of a special service project.

The six-member scout troop, whose members are Margaret Canty, Aimee LaFrance, Allison Lambdin, Allison Purdy, Ryleigh Peterson and Madison Ruffo, have since January been sending care packages to the Headquarters Platoon, D Company, part of the Infantry Battalion of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum.

In addition, the troop sold to area residents in February about 100 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, which were shipped to the platoon's location in Afghanistan.

Scout troop leader Alice Purdy said that part of the service project has been for the troop members to learn about Afghanistan as a nation, and they have discussed some of what the platoon experiences there.

“We've talked about how brave the soldiers are for protecting our freedom, and how important what they're doing over there is for our country,” Purdy said last week.

Some of the scout troop members, she explained, have expressed concern for the platoon's well-being.

“They wonder if the soldiers will be injured, and if they're safe,” she continued.

Platoon leader Lt. Nicholas Browning sends e-mails to the Scout troop thanking them for the care packages and reporting on the platoon's status, but is unable to reveal many details for security reasons.

“Lately we've been getting far fewer e-mails because the soldiers are engaged and so busy,” Purdy said.

Allison Lambdin is a Scout troop member who said she has especially enjoyed hearing how much the platoon appreciates the care packages.

Lambdin also spoke of the soldiers' bravery: “I'm just really proud of them, because they had two choices.

“They could have just stayed home, but they chose to fight for our country, which is a really good thing to do,” she explained.

“I think it's important to protect our country because if we didn't, it would just be in ruins and it wouldn't be a good place to live,” she added.

Purdy said she and her troop members have appreciated all the donations and support, including a fundraising drive at State Street Elementary School earlier this year.

“The whole reason we undertook this program was to thank the servicemen and women for what they're doing overseas,” she said.

“I think it's important not to take our freedom for granted.”