For the troops

McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK - For the troops: "For the troops Editor: Christmas is coming. People everywhere are making lists of Christmas gifts to send to family and friends and are checking them twice. While making those lists, don’t forget to add small gifts and cards to send to America’s servicemen and women around the world. That part, of course, is easy; the hard part is getting the addresses. Never fear, Blue Star Mothers, is here. So what is Blue Star Mothers?
Blue Star Mothers provides support for active duty personnel, promotes patriotism, assists veterans’ organizations and is available to assist homeland volunteers in keeping this country strong. It is a nonpartisan, nondiscriminatory, non-profit organization. Its membership includes mothers, dads, family members and friends of servicemen and women in all branches of the Armed Forces – the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserve and Merchant Marine.Oklahoma has both a state organization and 15 chapters, including Chapter 14 of Pittsburg County, scattered across the state.Last year, Pittsburg County’s chapter sent more than 300 Christmas stockings, along with greeting cards signed by county residents, to servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, with your help, we can send even more this year.
Here’s what you can do:
• Visit Quilting by Vonnie at 122 E. Choctaw (Tele: 918-420-5041 or 918-423-8327) and pick up a wish list. The list includes things ranging from personal hygiene items to popcorn and Ramen noodles to crossword puzzle books and playing cards. Go purchase a few of the items and return them to Vonnie’s for packing and mailing. Sign the Christmas cards while you’re there.
• Make a donation. The Post Office, unfortunately, must charge postage to mail the packages and that can get expensive. Donations are also used to purchase items from the wish list.Also, if you have a family member and/or friends serving overseas in the Armed Forces or on ships at sea, please give us their addresses, and we’ll make sure that they not only receive Christmas stockings but “Care” packages throughout the year.
So, let’s all join together and make Christmas 2007 one of the merriest ever for our servicemen and women around the world. Thanking you in advance.Just for the record, I have two sons, one in the Air Force at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and one in the 45th Brigade, Oklahoma National Guard. He is getting desert training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and will deploy to Iraq in January.

Clare Thomas
Blue Star Mother"