Operation Yellow Ribbon benefits soldiers

Since Gov. John Baldacci proclaimed Operation Yellow Ribbon Day on May 17, members of Operation Yellow Ribbon Support our Troops have been collecting funds to assist families of members of the military serving in Iraq.

The money is distributed by officials at Camp Keyes in Augusta through the Maine National Guard Family Assistance Fund, said Loretta Solak of Topsham, volunteer chairwoman of Operation Yellow Ribbon Support Our Troops.

The public will have an opportunity to contribute to the fund during the Bangor-Brewer Fourth of July parade by stopping by the group’s camper trailer with the yellow awning that will be set up in Pickering Square, across from the reviewing stand.

And when it’s time for the fireworks that night, look for the trailer near that location, too, “because we’ll be there,” Solak said.

You can help support Maine families of military service personnel by either making a donation or purchasing a yellow T-shirt for $5.

“Every penny goes to help take care of families” so those on active duty “don’t have to worry about their families, and they can get the job done over there and get home sooner,” Solak added.

And while the Guard distributes the funds, Solak emphasized, “the money just doesn’t support those in the Army Guard, it helps those in the Air Guard, Marines, Coast Guard reserve: It helps every service family who needs help. It helps everyone who comes, calls or e-mails Camp Keyes, without all the red tape. It’s about Maine people helping Maine people.”

Collecting your generous donations this Fourth of July with Solak will be her husband, John, who is retired from the U.S. Air Force, and her sister-in-law Susan Braley, wife of CW2 James Braley of Franklin and son of Vernon and Marilyn Braley of Bangor.

James Braley, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, is currently serving in Iraq with the 112th Maine Army National Guard Medical Company Air Ambulance.

While we’re on the subject of Bangor-Brewer Fourth of July activities, Brewer Kiwanis president Herb Hopkins reports that organization will conduct two 50-50 raffles that weekend and a third in mid-July.

The first raffle, to benefit Brewer Kiwanis Children’s Charities, is 6-10 a.m. Friday, July 4, at the Brewer Auditorium.

The second raffle, to assist with the purchase of a new thermal imaging camera for the Brewer Fire Department, is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 5, at Marden’s in Brewer.

The third raffle, to benefit Brewer Kiwanis Children’s Charities and Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare, will be conducted Wednesday, July 16, at Wal-Mart in Brewer.

All tickets are $1 each or seven for $5.

Anyone who attended or was a staff member of the former Winterport High School is invited to attend the WHS Reunion beginning at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Leroy H. Smith School in Winterport.

The gathering begins with registration and socializing followed by a buffet dinner at 6 p.m. and a program and dance at 8.

One difficulty planners have encountered is that due to the change in addresses for the emergency 911 system, many reunion announcements were returned, so you may not have received yours or those you know may not have received theirs.

For example, among the “missing” are Ernest Horan, Kenneth Jewett, Ellis Bennett Rich, Dorothy Alley Hamilton, Johanna Stuart Harnish, Shirley Woodard Baird, Janet Woodard Seuss, Kathleen Nelson Emms, Winona Young Kessock, Alice Moores Moody and Valmont Saucier.

If you plan to attend, send a check for $30 per person payable to WHS Reunion in care of Carl Nickerson, 236 Grove St., Bangor 04401.

And, continuing the Winterport theme, congratulations are extended to the Winterport Woman’s Club, which was presented the Carolyn Lombardi Traveling Trophy during the spring convention of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs-Maine Federation of Women’s Clubs in Bar Harbor.

The award is presented annually to the local club demonstrating the highest level of achievement of volunteer community service and commitment to federation goals at the international, state and local levels.

Additionally, the club won the membership award in its category by increasing its membership by 16 this year.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.