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Veteran's Issues

OPERATION SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

Sponsored by the Veterans Welcome Home Association

This is one of John’s top priorities. Items are collected at his District Office to send to troops serving overseas. These items include travel size shampoo, deodorant, hand sanitizer, cookies, Ramen noodles, lip balm, eye drops, tissue packs, and more. These are then delivered to the Vietnam Veterans Post 52 in Meadville for packing and mailing. During the past two Holiday Seasons, over 800 boxes were sent out each Christmas.

“I would encourage all who read this to purchase some of these items that make life a little easier for our men and women overseas, and drop them off at my office. Furthermore, if you have a friend or relative serving, please fill out one of the forms at my office to have their name added to the mailing list. This is truly a worthy cause. I believe that most of what we have as Americans, we owe to those who serve and defend through the Armed Forces.”

Here are some of the many letters that have come back from the soldiers who have received these shipments:

LETTER(S) FROM OUR TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ

From a Chaplain in Iraq:

“Well!! I got 29 boxes of your care packages. Thank you so much for your great support. My commanding leaders wondered who would support us like that. I said to them that God sent His many American angels to support your troops. Your great support encouraged us so much. One of our team stopped by our FOB due to the mission. The 1SG brought all his team members to my office and took the care packages. They were so happy to have them. We miss our home at the Christian holidays but we have to focus upon our mission. That is our job here. With your great support I will do my best to take care of our soldiers. “

From one of our troops in Afghanistan:

“Things are going well here, thankfully for the warriors, our job here has been very slow, and when we are flying the patient loads are small. This is a huge difference from the start of OEF, OIF. After reading your email I saw you were from Pennsylvania. I was born and raised in Uniontown, PA--just  south of Pittsburgh. I am a HUGE Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and miss the city very much! We may not each take time to write and thank you for what you’re doing, but please know the care packages make a world of difference here. It’s great to know people are supporting the troops, no matter what they have going on in their own lives. Congrats on your accomplishment of sending over 1000 boxes this year! Keep up the good work, you don’t know the difference a “priority box” makes to our day!"

God Bless

From a Chaplain in Afghanistan:

“Greetings to you in God’s grace. Thank you so much for your great support. Here one of the very important things that make up happy is to receive the mail. You gave us joy and happiness in this place. I handed out your loving supports to our soldiers. If you can send something more later, would you consider some things we need? Here our soldiers are sweating a lot. Some things like deodorant, body wash, foot power, shaving cream, air-refresher and razors are the things our troops really need according to their situation. Especially they need good razors because many of our soldiers shave their hair. We are executing heavy missions every day and night. However we are doing fine. I pray God to cover our troops with His divine and mighty power and let none of our enemy touch or hurt our troop until we complete our mission and get back home. Thank you again for supporting us. I pray and Bless you all and your team. May God bless you.”

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