by Ron Seman
There are good things going on that support our troops in Iraq. Last week, "SupportOurTroops.Org" shipped 60 tons of free popcorn gifts to U.S. Army personnel in Iraq. For the record, that's four full 40-foot cargo containers " more than one-half million dollars worth.
What a positive way to show support for our troops! Let's do for those who do for us!
"It's time to show them how much we care," said SupportOurTroops Chairman Martin C. Boire.
SupportOurTroops.Org shipped 445,698 free servings of popcorn good-will gifts. That's 142 pallets! That's 6,249 cases! That's $572,007 worth! That's 60 tons!
Every case is labeled with a "thank you" sign from the folks here at home.
"We're glad to give them a simple taste of home" said Boire. "What a fun way to show them how much we think of them. What a tremendous gesture of good will."
SupportOurTroops.Org is a patriotic family organization aimed at protecting the well-being of the troops and their families.
Civilian-led SOT enthusiastically welcomes civilians, active-duty families, veterans, and folks from all political parties. It offers simple, easy, everyday methods through which folks can stick up for those who stick up for all of us: Official license plates, ribbons, magnets, apparel and accessories, knowing that it works to benefit the deployed troops (our neighbors) and their families.
Support Our Troops is a nationwide non-profit organization with chapters in 37 states to date. Donations at SupportOurTroops.Org help the group do wonderful things like this for the troops and their families.
The popcorn was boxed at the factory in Indiana. Each box was labeled with a large colorful thank you notice. Then it was plastic-wrapped and loaded into 40-foot overseas metal cargo containers and trucked to a sea port to travel by freighter to the U.S. Army troops stationed in Iraq.
VETERANS POSTS: There are eight veterans posts and ladies auxiliaries in our general circulation area. Each of the organizations has requirements for gaining membership. It's best that the potential member contact the post, chapter or auxiliary to determine just what one needs to possess to apply for membership.
The posts in the Maple Heights area include American Legion Post 309 and Auxiliary, 15521 Broadway Ave. Al Glontz is the commander and Patti Tropf is the auxiliary president. The men meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 8 p.m. The ladies meet on the second Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Dennis Cain is commander of the Sons of American Legion. They meet on the second Monday of the month at 8 p.m. The post phone number is 216-662-7768.
AMVETS Post 80 has its hall at 16536 Broadway Ave. Jim Soltis is the commander and June Nemec is the auxiliary president. The men meet on the first and third Tuesdays on the month at 8 p.m. The ladies meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m. The post phone number: 216-662-0340.
Catholic War Veterans Southeast Suburban Post 1812 and Auxiliary meets at St. Monica School cafeteria on Rockside Road in Garfield Heights. Steve Dzurnak is the commander and Ruth Balewski is the auxiliary president. The men meet on the second Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. The ladies meet on the last Monday of the month at 3 p.m. Questions about membership can be directed to Dzurnak at 216-662-7203, or Balewski, 216-475-1965.
Maple Heights Chapter 125, Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary, meets in its hall located in the Mapletown Shopping Center at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Libby Road. Roy Zeman is commander, and his wife, Sue, is auxiliary commander. The men and women meet at the same time and date in a different section of the hall. Meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. The post phone is 216-475-9943, or the Zemans at 330-468-9897.
VFW Post 3290 is located at 16847 Broadway Avenue. Jack Nichols is the commander. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. The phone: 216-663-9512.
There are three veterans organizations in Bedford.
American Legion Post 350 meets on the third Thursday of the month. Mike Garvin is the commander. The post phone: 440-232-6009.
Western Reserve Chapter 127, Disabled American Veterans meets at Ellenwood Center, 124 Ellenwood Ave., Bedford, on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. Ed Brandtner is the commander. For more information, contact Brandtner at 216-662-7158.
VFW French-Bartlett Post 1082 and Auxiliary meet at its hall, 343 Northfield Road. Joe Bright is the commander and Dina Battista is the auxiliary president. The men meet on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. The ladies meet on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. The post phone is 440-232-9035.
For updates, send me a note: 5811 Renwood Drive, Parma, 44129, or SemanRJ@aol.com.
REMEMBER our men and women serving America in Iraq and at other stations around the world. Write. Tell them they can read this column online at www.MapleHeightsPress.com or www.BedfordTimesRegister.com.