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Today is Flag Day, and I choose to recognize the day we honor our flag by sharing thoughts of those whose family members are serving our country under our flag.
Shirley Gagnon of Clifton wrote that her son, Gregg Gagnon, is in the “first few months of an 18-month deployment” with the Connecticut National Guard in Afghanistan.
She considers her son “very lucky, because shortly after he arrived,” she wrote, “he began receiving letters and care packages from family and friends back home.”
However, she added, her son has told her about a Web site “created to help soldiers serving overseas who may not have a network of family and friends back home to support them.”
That site is www.anysoldier.com.
She explained that on the site soldiers can list items they need “so that people here in the States can send them packages or letters to show support.”
She wrote the requested items “range from personal care items to food items to books and movies.”
The list provides a description of the soldiers, their units, where they are stationed and items they need.
Those who visit the site can “request that the soldier’s address be e-mailed to you so that you can send a package or letter,” Shirley Gagnon explained.
She added that “regardless of your position on the war, or of our leadership in Washington, I think we can all agree that the soldiers serving our country deserve all our support. This Web site provides a wonderful way for everyone, whether you know someone who is serving or not, to directly support these men and women. I encourage everyone to check it out.”
Heidi Fairbrother of Hermon reported that local Modern Woodmen of America members presented two American flags to the Maine Veterans Home on Saturday, June 10, in Bangor.
This club consists of young people up to 13 who are involved in volunteering in their community.
Annually, local chapters of Modern Woodmen across the country donate flags to fire stations, schools, nursing homes, cemeteries and other community facilities in need of new flags.
For more information about the local club and how your child can become involved, call Fairbrother at 848-3723 or e-mail motherinme@hotmail.com.
Karen Connick reports the Southern Maine chapter of Blue Star Mothers has initiated Operation Post Card.
The program’s intent is “to provide tangible, positive support for our men and women serving in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
The women request that our readers, schools, churches, businesses and organizations “write postcards with encouraging, positive and supportive messages” for our troops.
You can use either postcards or paper the size of postcards, and begin your message with such salutations as “Dear Service Person, Dear Soldier or Hello from.”
Do not stamp the postcards, but send them to Operation Post Card, 18 Florida Ave., Portland 04103 or call Connick at 232-8831 to ask that a representative of Blue Star Mothers pick them up.
The chapter would also gladly accept monetary donations or stamps to support Operation Post Card.
The Southern Maine Chapter of Blue Star Mothers meets at 10:30 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at the American Legion Hall, 65 Depot Road, Falmouth.
“All are welcome.”
For more information, call Connick at the number above.
Clayton and Susan Chisholm are in Sumter, S.C., caring for their grandchildren while their daughter and son-in-law are on active duty with the U.S. Air Force.
“Thank you, Bangor, from the parents of a soldier,” the Chisholms wrote after speaking by phone with their daughter from Bangor International Airport.
The young Air Force couple was on a plane headed for Afghanistan.
“When they landed” they were uncertain why there were “people holding balloons and waving flags,” the parents wrote.
“They thought it was for someone else” but were delighted to learn “it was for them.”
Their daughter “was so touched by the outpouring of love, she was crying” when she spoke with her parents.
“You have to remember, this was the last phone call she was able to make to her children and us,” they wrote.
The Chisholms thank our Maine Troop Greeters for “thinking of these kids.
“You will be the last friendly American faces they will see for a long time.
“Keep them all in your prayers, and God Bless America.”
Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.
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