When one of their own began a second tour of duty in Iraq earlier this year, the staffs at the Decatur County Jail and the Sheriff’s Department came together to make a soldier’s experience in the Middle East feel a little more like home.

Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Rohr, who is currently serving in the National Guard as part of the 38th Military Police Company, shipped out for Iraq in February. Recently, a care package was sent from his former co-workers that contained snacks, personal items, card games and most notably two large “cornhole” boards.

The boards were made and designed by Mike Robbins, a jail staffer who had never met Kevin Rohr but wanted to show his appreciation for his service.

“Mike just went above and beyond,” jail commander Penny Rising explained.

With the help of his friend Tim Duncan, Robbins was able to put together the cornhole boards, one decorated with the logo of the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department, and the other emblazoned with pictures featuring the state flag, the U.S. Army logo and the insignia for the National Guard. Portions of the boards will glow in the dark, Rising added, allowing the soldiers to play the game at night.

Duncan, however, wasn’t the only one who helped Robbins put the game together. His young niece Holly Beckett made the cornhole bags.

When the groups prepared to ship the care package, they ran into a problem. According to Robbins, it would have cost several hundred dollars to transport the package using the normal means. It was then that Robbins got in touch with a sergeant from the 38th who got on board with the idea immediately, and agreed to ship the care package using a military cargo plane.

For the jail staff, Rohr’s departure was a difficult thing to deal with.

“He was very dedicated to his jobs,” Rising said. “He always got down to business.”

Rising added Rohr left behind many loved ones, including his daughter, Macy. And though he was currently not with them, the staff took solace in the fact that they were able to come together to do something for him.

When Robbins heard that a care package for Rohr was being put together, it was something he got excited about, he said. He hoped that the cornhole boards would remind Rohr of life back in Indiana.

“It’s all about helping them out,” Robbins said.

Though Rohr has temporarily left his duties at the Sheriff’s Department behind, his job is secure and will be available when he gets back. According to Rising, the group expects Rohr to return to the states in March of next year.

“We love him and miss him and want him to come home,” she said.