Special to the Scott Vallely Soldiers Memorial Fund from Bob Broyles

As the newest major battle in Marjah, Afghanistan wages on, I am reminded over and over of what it means to support our troops. In recent years, this mantra has been used by many people, some quite disingenuously. I am not here to point fingers at those who “support our troops” in a left-handed manner, but rather, to remind folks of the great work performed by so many patriotic folks across the country and beyond.

There are many organizations set up to help like The Wounded Warrior Project, Any Soldier, and The Scott Vallely Soldiers Memorial Fund, but this story is about individuals doing what they can on their own. We at Stand Up America applaud any and all efforts to help our troops but we also need to recognize the efforts of individuals who do not receive any recognition.

Recently, a friend sent me an email string that high-lights the efforts of the many individuals, but primarily for one fellow, operating a deli near a base. Jim D. writes:

“One of the most rewarding experiences I had when serving with the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam was my weekly mail call. While most soldiers were delighted to receive a few pieces of mail, I normally would receive three mail bags full. The reason was because my mail was coming from a Ms. Jessie Beck.”
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Restoration Weekend: A Salute to the Troops By: FrontPage Magazine FrontPageMagazine.com | Monday, April 24, 2006

This dinner and salute to our troops took place on Saturday, February 25, 2006, at the Restoration Weekend at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. — The Editors.

John O’Neill: Before we begin the actual program, I’d like to recognize certain wonderful people who will come up over the course of the night. But I’d like to recognize one person who not on the program: Gunnery Sergeant Larry Carlson. He led a platoon in Fallujah. He’s home now safely, and he’s here. If he could stand up, I’d like to recognize him.

I’d like to say a brief word about a special project called the Soldiers’ Memorial Project set up to produce a statue to honor Scott Vallely and many other soldiers killed in the War on Terror.

The topic of tonight’s dinner is courage. There are many different kinds of courage. David mentioned my wife, Anne O’Neill. Another person of courage I think about is my old boss and friend, Chief Justice William Rehnquist. He hoped someday to come back here and retire in Phoenix but instead found himself very ill. He arose from his sick bed to swear in and provide to the oath to the President of the United States, George W. Bush.

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Coming Home From Iraq

This was the second time this company has been deployed to Iraq. They did not make it home in time for Christmas but they were home for New Years.

On December 19th, volunteers gathered at a park and picked up yellow ribbon. They headed out in all dirrections and covered the town. Trees and lamp posts were tied with the yellow ribbon. A floral shop made some “nice looking” bows for trees that were in more visable locations. A print shop in town donated over 100 bright yellow posters that said “Welcome Home 639th”. Businesses and people put these posters up in storefronts and other creative places. One lady had a couple posters laminated an put then on the side of her vehicle.

Our hope with the project “Paint-the-town YELLOW” was to communicate to our soldiers that we appreciated their service to our country. God Bless our Troops and their families for their sacrifice!

Special thanks to those that donated time and money for the ribbons and posters.

Please share with us how your community has reached out to “Support the Troops”.

Santa’s helpers have been busy in the previous weeks collecting donations and purchasing items for this year’s Christmas package shipment. Then, this afternoon approximately 35 friends met and assembled, organized and packed the boxes going to different points of contact with deployed units.The goodies in the boxes should be in the hands of our troops in time for the Holidays! We hope and pray that these gifts meet needs and lift spirits, and that in receiving them, our soldiers will know that we support them and appreciate their service and sacrifice.

A HUGE ‘THANK YOU’ to all those who donated money and goods, the buyers, gatherers, packers, organizers, stuffers, loaders, haulers and drivers, and the people who provided pizza and treats- and to our Host- The Flathead Lake Lodge.