MADISON, Wis. -- Many Americans took time on the Fourth of July this weekend to show their patriotism, but the imaging department at St. Mary's Hospital went one step further this year by serving those who serve our country overseas.

This Independence Day wasn't like any other day for Jean Johnsen and Kathy Ambs.

"We just knew there was the need and it was something we all felt pretty strongly about," said Johnsen, a X-ray technician at St. Mary's.

This spring, the imaging team sent nine boxes of supplies to the 42nd Military Police Brigade in Iraq. The packages brought a piece of home to more than 90 Wisconsin soldiers.

"Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, candy, just little things, little comforts that we have all the time that they can't get," said Johnsen.

"We sorted through and filled the boxes, I would say, with a lot of love and care, and some notes were put in, and we sealed them up and sent them off," said Ambs, the director of the imaging department.

Come June, the St. Mary's staff received something in return.

"They said, 'Expect a package.' We had no idea what would be coming in the package," said Johnsen.

The package turned out to be a flag that just this Memorial Day was flying over Camp Bucca in Iraq. Now, it's at St. Mary's, just in time for Independence Day.

"We're proud that we did something and yet humbled that they would think of us with everything that they were going through," said Ambs.

Memorial Day was the last day that the 42nd Military Police Brigade spent in Iraq.

"It was very cool. We were all very excited when we got it," remarked Johnsen.

The employees are now honorably displaying their new flag and demonstrating what they call their unwavering support of Wisconsin soldiers overseas.

Employees of the imaging department said they planned to continue to find ways to support the military. Their next goal is to raise funds for the Fisher House, which is a program that offers housing to families of wounded soldiers.