Keeping in Touch: Ideas to support veterans on Veterans Day

With Veterans Day, November 11th, just around the corner, it’s never too early to begin reflecting on the sacrifices our military men and women make on our behalf while defending, guarding and protecting our traditions of liberty and freedom, those unalienable rights which ensure justice for all.

In reflecting on those sacrifices, which have been made on our behalf, it’s also a time in which we can say thank you and look for an avenue in which we can reach out and show our gratitude, especially to those who are currently answering that call of duty, honor and country.

One such avenue are the programs conducted by Veteran support groups which work toward making our troop’s deployments easier, while giving others, like ourselves the opportunity to show our support through letters, cards and care packages.

I would like to share with you news about one of those support groups, the Plains VFWAuxilary Post #3596. The members of the VFW Auxiliary Post are a group of dedicated women who are committed to seeing that our military men and women are remembered.  They have faithfully seen to it that care packages are sent to them at Christmas and are already making plans to meet that commitment once again this year.  You can be a part of that worthwhile endeavor in reaching out to our military with a heart of gratitude.

If you know of someone who is serving to whom a care package could be sent, please call Meralise Nass at 826-3366.

Donated items to fill the Christmas care packages are needed.  If you’d like to donate, the following is a list of items requested by our soldiers.  Food items:  Chex Mix, Combos or Cheez-Its, peanuts or mixed nuts, sunflower seeds or trail mix, fig newtons, cookies (Oreos, Chips Ahoy, etc), non-refrigerated jello, pudding and fruit cups, small boxes of cereal, pop tarts, pouch type drinks, granola or breakfast bars, energy bars, cough drops, pepperoni and beef jerky (no pork), hot sauce, tabasco sauce, crackers or dips, cheese spreads, microwave popcorn, flavored coffee, non-dairy creamer, sugar packets, sugar twin, kool-aid or lemonade drink mix, Crystal Light drink mix, Gatorade or Powerade, peanut butter and jelly in plastic containers, packaged soup (foam cups not cans), hard candies, gum and homemade cookies and brownies.  The homemade cookies and brownies should be packed tightly in an old coffee can; put paper towels between the layers to keep them from breaking up.  Toiletries:  bar soap, body wash, liquid antibacterial hand soap, antiperspirant, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, baby wipes, disposable razors, shaving cream or gel (non-aerosol), sunscreen, lip balm with sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, eye drops, saline solution, foot powder, body spray, lotion, insoles for shoes, nail clippers and emery boards. Miscellanious items: home town newspapers, magazines, comics, sports and news magazines, ziploc bags, batteries (all sizes), disposable cameras, can openers, small CD players, DVD players, music CD’s, DVD movies, note paper, envelopes, pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, crossword or word find puzzle books, paperback books, baseball, football and basketball video games, small board games, playing cards, birthday cards and envelopes, Christmas cards and envelopes, decorations for the holidays, small American flags, a tape of a TV show or sporting event and a personal note or letter.  medicine and first aid supplies: vitamins, nutritional supplements, Advil, Tylenol, band aids, liquid bandage and rolaids or tums.  Please do not send the following:  pork or ham items, perishable food, chocolate or other foods that melt, glass containers, hard-cover books and religious items.

If you can help with any of these items or help with shipping costs, please bring your items to the Plains VFW Hall at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 15th, as the care packages will be put together and prepared for shipping at that time.  If you have any questions, please call Meralise Nass at 826-3366.

Thank you for remembering our Veterans. And thank you to my Veterans for all you’ve done and are doing on my behalf and the behalf of all Americans,   God Bless!

Now it’s your turn to “Keep in Touch” by contacting me regarding your questions, concerns or just to talk.  I can be reached via e-mail at pathd13@blackfoot.net, or call me at 827-4652 or by mail at P.O. Box 1151, Thompson