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Operation Bug Guard+: A local man leads a campaign to get sunscreen-bug spray-lotion to troops in Iraq

Jane Stebbins

SUMMIT COUNTY – Robert Crowe knows U.S. troops face more than enemy fire in the Iraqi desert.

The Army Special Forces soldier wasn’t called up to serve in the first Gulf War but he heard tales of dry skin, sand flea bites, sunburn and other challenges exacerbated by sand storms, dry winds, high temperatures and a blazing sun.

Crowe’s half-brother is a military intelligence officer in Kuwait, and his brother, a firefighter, is headed toward the gulf aboard the USS Nimitz.



Crowe, now working as a leadership representative for Avon cosmetics, wants to supply troops with 10,000 bottles of lotion to combat the natural elements. The lotion, called Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard+ is DEET-free and has a sun protection factor of 30.

“In the first Gulf War, they were taking over the bath spray,” he said. “But that was flammable. That didn’t work so well.”



Crowe and his Avon partner Karen Hill are selling two bottles for the price of one – $12. The purchaser gets one bottle, and Crowe, with help from the Red Cross, will ship another bottle to troops in Iraq. Each bottle will be accompanied with a leaflet thanking soldiers for their hard work overseas.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” Crowe said. “But I know the guys need it.”

Those interested in assisting Crowe and Hill can call them at (970) 262-5879 or (970) 333-9591. They also can be reached at avonuphigh@aol.com.

Jane Stebbins can be reached at (970) 668-3998 ext. 228 or jstebbins@summitdaily.com.


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