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RESTON, Va. - A group of volunteers took some time Friday to put together care packages for U.S. service members in Afghanistan and Iraq (web | news) . They said it felt great to give back to the military community, especially after the horrifying events at Fort Hood.

"When you're over there basically all you think of is home," said David Bell, a volunteer.

The group volunteers from Verizon Telecom made nearly 200 care packages for U.S. service members.

"Toothpaste, floss, shaving equipment and things like that. And of course a lot of food items," said Stephen Kohn of Verizon Pioneers.

The packages also include letters from school children and every letter has a personal touch. "You can see reflected in their letters admiration for keeping us safe," said Leni Herr, a volunteer.

Bell served in desert storm with the Marines and still remembers opening each care package. "I actually have all the letters that I got when I was over there," he said.

As the volunteers packed up boxes, they learned more about what happened at Fort Hood. "I'm a [veteran] and I can't imagine that happening on a base I was on," said Philip Hahn, a volunteer.

Bell says seeing the country rally around the victims at Fort Hood and service members abroad makes Friday feel like the day after September 11, 2001.

"This is another attack on U.S. citizens but this is an attack on soldiers and as a Marine that hits kind of hard," he said.

In a time of war and now tragedy, Bell hopes the care packages send a message to the troops of thanks and support. "It kind of gives you an extra kick when you're serving your country," he said.

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