Hood River County Honors All Who Served - Veteran's Day 2009

Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Tony LaCorte told more than 200 people who attended Hood River annual Veterans Day Ceremony that, "You (vets) are the threads that tightly bind the fabric of freedom for our nation."

Community members of all ages arrived at Anderson's Tribute Center on Nov. 11 to pay tribute to all of the Heroes who have served in the Armed Forces and the Heroes now on active duty at home or abroad. At front and center were our National Guard soldiers who provided the Color Guard for the observance and performed the rifle salute. Retired Air Force Colonel Lynn Guenther, who acted as master of ceremonies, urged the audience to support the GHC's efforts to make sure that all military personnel from this area know that they matter to the folks back home!!!

Memorial displays of local Veteran's.

Lynn Guenther, USAF Colonel, retired & Jack Trumball as he read the names of local Heroes who have passed and their names will be placed on memorial bricks at Overlook Park in Hood River.
Hood River County's Scout groups came to help park cars and escort visitor's to their seats.

Color Guard - Oregon Army National Guard - Hood River

Sgt First Class Gary Norris representing the American Legion makes a special presentation to Elizabeth Putnam and WWII Veteran. Please click on her name for a complete story that appeared about her accomplishments in a recent edition of the Hood River News.

Guest speaker Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Tony LaCorte

Rifle Salute - Oregon Army National Guard - Hood River

Proudly,

Your GHC

THANKS Klickitat County Repuplican Party & Jim Herman and Associates

GHC received a $1,000 check this week from the Klickitat County Republican Party to use in our troop support efforts. We are very grateful for the donation and it will be put to good use since we have an expensive month with the shipping of holiday packages to deployed military personnel and sponsorship of the National Guard dinner at the Hood River Armory.

Vergie Fuwell, a CPA with Jim Herman and Associates of White Salmon has prepared our paperwork for 501(c)3 filing with the IRS and those documents were sent on their way last week. Fuwell donated her time and talents to our cause and we are extremely appreciative of the generous gift. Jim is the brother of the late Brenda Herman, who co-founded GHC, and a Vietnam veteran who has been very supportive of the mission that we undertake!!!! Thank you very much Vergie and Jim.

DAKINE Support GHC's Veteran's Project

A huge thanks goes out to DAKINE for their generous donation of 10 backpacks to GHC's Homeless Veteran's Program. During the year, GHC members visit homeless Veteran's throughout the Gorge area. We are currently seeking care package items for 13 Veterans, 10 males and 3 females. Please see a previous blog post for a listing of needed care package items.

If you, your group or organization would like to find out more about helping our Heroes, please contact us at: gorgehereoesclub@yahoo.com

Your help and support for our Heroes is GREATLY appreciated!

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC Is Gearing Up For Winter & The Holiday's

-----NOVEMBER UPDATE-----

With winter nipping at our heels, your GHC is heading into the season of "most need". Winter brings on new challenges and more needs for our Heroes and local homeless Veteran's.

Here is a list of GHC's most urgent need items. Can you, your company, group or organization help?

Homeless Veteran's List - Needed by December 15th:

Heavy Socks - 13 pairs

Men's Size Large & Extra Large Winter Coats - 13 total

Blankets - 4 blankets donated, 9 still needed

Calling Cards - 13 needed

C & D Cell Batteries - 13 packages needed

Canned Food - Ready made: Stews, Tuna Fish, Spam, etc

Winter Gloves, Scarves & Hats - 125 Donated, Need 210

Backpacks - 10 donated, 3 still needed

Monthly Care Package Items Needed: (Items in RED are URGENT NEED for our November 21st Holiday Packaging, 1PM @ Hood River National Guard Armory)

Hygiene Wipes - 120 packages

Individual Drink Mixes - 60 packages

Granola Bars - 60 boxes

Breakfast Bars - 60 boxes

Christmas Themed Coffee Mugs - 40

Christmas Stockings - Need 5 yards of holiday material and help sewing.

Female related items - 9 females, hygiene products, etc

Ziploc Bags, all sizes - 50 boxes

Tissue Paper - 20 to 30 Packages

Chocolate Candy and Sugar Free Candy - 50-100 Bags

Ongoing-

65 large fabric drawstring bags. (16"x16", or close to this size) - Ongoing need for material, cording and sewers.

Infant baby girl clothes. One of our Heroes wives is expecting a new bundle of joy in January and is requesting help with clothing.

Fabric table covers and table skirts. We need these for when we have functions.

GHC would like to thank the Hood River News for doing an article on GHC's upcoming events. You can read the entire article by visiting this link: http://www.hoodrivernews.com/News%20stories/2009/083_heros_club_holidays.htm

If you can help, please contact GHC at:

gorgeheroesclub@yahoo.com

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC Support Bands Are Here

Show your support for our Heroes with a GHC Support Brands. The bands come in adult and child sizes. Colors available are: Desert Camo, Pink Camo, Blue, Purple and Yellow.

Prices are $3.00 each if purchased locally and $4.00 each for those orders we need to ship. We will ship within the continental USA and to all US military locations. You can order the bands directly from the link on the left side of our blog or for local distribution, contact us directly at: gorgeheroesclub@yahoo.com

Looking for bulk orders for your group or organization? Please contact us directly for shipping costs.

What a great way to show your support of our Heroes!

GHC Awarded "Hometown Heroes" Medal

Just in:

"To all of the wonderful members of the Gorge Heroes Club: We had a ceremony at my base during our last drill weekend and each member was awarded a medal and plaque for being "Hometown Heroes." We were also given a separate "Hometown Heroes" medal that we were to award to a friend of family member who we felt supported us during our times of deployment. Of course, I first thought of my Mom and Dad, Lane and Betsy Smith, who have done nothing but support me and my two younger sisters during our military career. However, my second thought was of the Heroes Club and how thankful I am for all your time and efforts to make sure that every Gorge military member, whether deployed or at home, is remembered and made to feel like we are special. You guys do a GREAT job of making us feel special! So, I would like to award you with my "Hometown Heroes" medal. Thank you for your support, pride and love," Airman Kelly A. Smith.

Airman Smith, we are deeply touched and honored. GHC would like to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation in acceptance of this award. Our new award will be proudly displayed at the Hood River National Guard Armory for all our GHC members and the community to share.

VERY PROUDLY,

Your GHC

Weekly Hero News

GHC would like to welcome PFC Brett Rawding to our Heroes Club. PFC Radwing is stationed in South Korea. His proud parents are Shelly and Daniel Radwing of White Salmon, Washington. Thanks PFC Rawding in all you are doing in helping defend our freedoms. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

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Dear GHC,

As the First Sergeant of 133 deployed Oregon Citizen Soliders, and a Hood River resident, I wanted to thank you for all that you and your volunteers do. I check the Hood River News on-line daily to see what is going on back home. I recently found out that one of my Soldiers lives close to me, so I'll be doing a story on him for the local paper if they will print it.

Thank you again, your continued support and service is an inspiriation!

1SG G Mc Ilvenna, Iraq

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GHC would like to thank our Heroes for dropping us a line and letting us know how they are doing... Keep up the great work. We are proud of you and all your efforts!

Proudly,

Your GHC

October GHC Care Packaging Fun!

The GHC members and much welcomed community guests met last evening at the Hood River National Guard Armory to fill our Heroes' boxes. It was really great to see everyone from the community help in honoring our heroes by taking part in adding their own special gifts to some of the packages....and seeing the children walk down the aisle picking "just the right goodies" for the packages!

GHC would like to thank it's members and the community for coming out to show their support for our Heroes. Our next community box packaging will be on Saturday, November 21st at 1PM. At this time, we will be boxing up both the November and the December care packages for our Heroes. On this date, we will also be having a spaghetti feed fundraiser from Noon to 2PM. All proceeds go towards care package items for our Heroes. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Please check back often for further details and updates on our urgent need items.

Members and community members signing cards.

Card making !
Box packing !
Box stuffing!

Production line.

Proudly, Your GHC

Weekly Heroes News

This just in from Ssgt. Hernandez in Iraq, "Gorge Heroes Club: Thank you for bringing a little sunshine into my very 'sandy' day."

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Army Pvt. Michael Blanchard is arriving stateside this weekend from deployment to Bahrain and is going to be enjoying a visit with his mother, Daphne, at her home in Mosier. We hear that he is well and in good spirits in spite of the debilitating summer heat and are thankful for his safe return!

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We are proud to announce that Army Pvt. Austin Grimm of The Dalles has completed his basic training and is currently learning advanced warrior skills at a base in Maryland. Welcome soldier to the Heroes Club and it will be our honor to support you! Also, we welcome home Army Ssgt. Ryan Miller of White Salmon from deployment in Iraq. We are very delighted to have you back safe and sound in the states!
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Welcome home USMC Capt. Jesse Atay from North Bonneville, Washington. Jesse's proud Mom RaeLynn reports Jesse is back on US soil and will be home for a visit soon, then he is off to Japan. Thanks Jesse, for all your dedication and commitment to our freedoms. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
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"Dear Gorge Heroes Club: Thank you all so very much for supporting us over here. It is an amazing feeling to know that our fellow countrymen and women are with us in our fight to preserve our way of life," USMC 1st Lt. Barcelo.

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Dear Gorge Heroes Club-

Dear Terri,
Thanks so much for the package of goodies. Once again, you are a bit hit. Everyone gathers around now to see what kind of goodies are coming each month. I can't tell you how much it is appreciated.

I would really like to thank you for the article about the military drones by Insitu. If you can, I would like to you thank them for me. Our unit was out on a 7 day mission and on the last night, we were all tucked into the fields for the night when we were alerted by the drone that we had company coming. That's all I can say about our mission, but please send our thanks to them.

Tell your daycare kids thanks for the colorings. I have one that one of the kids did that has a drawing of the American Flag on it tucked in my pocket for good luck!

Thank you again.

Mike, Iraq

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Dear GHC,

I just wanted to say thanks for the care package. I really love the wax dipped leaf's. I took them over to our tent that we set up to share care package items and hung them up above the table. How did you do that? That was really nice. I miss the fall colors.

Things have been pretty quiet here. We just moved into our new location. We are now in a "tent city" and have showers now and a microwave! My unit was pretty excited about that. This being my third tour here, you would think I would be used to the musty smell of the tents.

Also, thanks for the pens and writing paper for the gals in my unit. That was a big hit. The tootsie pops didn't last long.

It is really great knowing that people support us back home. Oh, and the postcards that you sent, I put them up on the walls here. I am sending a few to my girlfriend. She has never been to Oregon before so I promised her that this is where we will go on our honeymoon!

Thanks for supporting me and my unit. I really makes a big difference in our everyday lives to know someone back home is thinking of us.

SSGT, Don - Iraq

THANK YOU Skamania County Law Enforcement Association

Many thanks go out to Skamania County Law Enforcement Association for their contribution to the Gorge Heroes Club!

The letter reads, "The Skamania County Law Enforcement Association is honored to join in your efforts to support our troops. Enclosed is a check for $500.00 to aid the Gorge Heroes Club in its mission to provide as many military personnel as possible with care packages. We appreciate everything they give to provide us the freedom to live as we do. Thank you for providing this opportunity for us to honor our troops! "

Thanks again Skamania County Law Enforcement Association.... All our Heroes appreciate your generosity and your support!

Proudly,

Your GHC

September GHC Meeting Fun!

Children signing cards and filling care packages for the troops in September were also educated about the life of combat units -- including that these men often go up to a month without a shower due to the lack of amenities in the field. The young helpers were pretty grossed out by that news and carefully picked out hygiene items, such as wet wipes and hand sanitizer, to take care of the Marine they were filling the box for. Members of GHC also spent the evening organizing candy and toiletries that were donated by community members who wanted to show their support for the troops.

Signing your cards are.... brother and sister, Sorin & Esme' Price.

Members putting together "goodie bags".

Members signing cards.

Members creating handmade cards.

Package assembly line.

Final touches just before the care package is sealed.... Marine Mom RaeLynn Ricarte is showing the cute visitors how to stuff the box to the brim... including inside the toilet paper roll!

The Price Family children are: Esmé (girl in flower shirt), Sorin (brown shirt), Cael (burgandy shirt), and Teague in the backpack.

Your September care packages are on their way Heroes!

Proudly,

Your GHC

Weekly Hero News

"Thank you very much for your thoughts and the care packages. It was a very funny sight, watching all the soldiers walking around with Otter Pops! Thanks again, I hope all is going well in Hood River," Ssgt. Enid.

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"Dear Gorge Heroes Club: Thank you so much for the care package that you sent me; made my whole week! Little bit of a rough day today. Had the memorial service (for fallen soldiers). So hard to say goodbye. The service was very well done with standing room only in the Hope Chapel. God Bless them on their Way. Weather is cooling down and days getting shorter. The freezer pops will be a treat and the combat-ready balm will be put to good use. How did you know I needed cigars? You're the best:) Sat out back tonight under a full moon, had one and thought of you. Mission's going well. Keeping really busy with my four full-time jobs. We'll be home soon. Love to all. Again, thank you so much," SFC Roger

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Dear Terri,

Please thank your daycare kids for the cute colorings they did. It is hard to believe I have been here for almost a year. We have put them up on the wall inside our tent. They are so cute. It is funny because when I started getting your packages, I was getting a little "razzing" about it, but now everyone joins around to see what kind of goodies I get with each package. Lots here have commented on how lucky I am to have such a good person back home that cares for me and sends me goodies. As you know, I always share them with my unit. The morale here is always high when we get your packages. And, they always seem to come just after we have been gone for a few days. Do you have a direct link to the post office? :)

Anyway, we just wanted to thank you again for all you are doing for us. Your cards, letters and packages really do make a huge difference to all of us. I was wondering if you can do me a favor? One of our guys in our unit is from a foster family and he has no one this holiday season. Can you please send me a couple Christmas cards for him? I know it will go a long way in helping him through the holidays.

Kindly,
Mike

Gorge Connection: Marines Rely On "Eyes In The Sky"

Insitu is an independent subsidiary of Boeing based in Bingen, Washington. They manufacture unmanned aircraft systems. Here is the link to the article that appeared in a recent edition of Hood River News titled, "Marines Rely On Eyes In The Sky".

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/News%20stories/2009/073_insitu_marines.htm

Hood River National Guard Family Picnic Fun

Soldiers from the Hood River Armory enjoyed a family picnic on Sept. 12 that was sponsored by GHC in cooperation with Westside Fire District, Safeway, Rosauers, Hood River Liquor Store and Wal-Mart. The 65 members of the local unit, and their families, were treated to a barbecue feast and then enjoyed a battle with water balloons. The children present played carnival games that netted them a variety of prizes.

GHC members worked to ensure the two detachments with the Armory had a good time since the Department of Defense has alerted these soldiers to expect a deployment to the Middle East by late summer of 2010. GHC will be stepping up our fundraising efforts to ensure that every soldier receives a monthly care package from home during what is likely to be a 12-month deployment and will add their 65 new boxes to our existing support for 35 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines from Gorge communities.

Special "Thanks" to Westside Fire Department members Sarah Kahler, Chuck Walston, David Hancock and Rachal Hansen for volunteering their time to barbecue for our Heroes.

Proudly,

Your GHC

Hood River County Remembers 9-11

"Americans will always fight for their freedoms", was the statement made at this evenings 9-11 Memorial Services by Hood River Department's Chief Wells, pictured above.

Pine Grove Fire Department's little 4-year old Jr. Fire Fighter Jack Stehlik listens to the memorial service along with his dad John Stehlik, volunteer on Pine Grove FD.

Hood River National Guard members raising our flag.

Hood River Fire Department members.

Dallesport Life Flight arrived for the Memorial Service and offered a close up view of their helicopter and it's operations.

The Gorge Heroes Club salutes all our Heroes.

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC High School Members at Hood River's First Friday

GHC would like to thank HRVHS students Haley Sparks, Emily Hansen and Amber Sparks for volunteering their time to sell cookies at Hood River's September First Friday celebration for our Heroes. The trio is pictured here in front of Hood River's City Hall. The girls were first to use our new GHC banners!

This weekend, your GHC is on the move.... We will have representation at four Gorge events! Thanks to all our great volunteers. All proceeds will go towards our monthly care packages for our Heroes.

Proudly,

Your GHC

Hood River County's 9-11-09 Memorial Service

The Hood River Fire Department will be holding a Sept. 11 memorial service on Friday at 6 p.m. and we urge everyone to support this observance because the terrorist attacks on the East Coast in 2001 led to our Heroes being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The ceremony will take place outside the station at 1785 Meyer Parkway and soldiers from the Hood River Armory will be present to raise the national colors. Also attending will be law enforcement officials and firefighters from throughout the county so this is also a great opportunity to thank these emergency responders. The remembrance will take about 15 minutes and be followed by an open house with free hotdogs and sodas served to all in attendance. LifeFlight helicopter will be landing about 6:30 p.m. and people will be allowed to climb onboard and learn more about the air ambulance.

Proudly,

Your GHC

Weekly Heroes News

Congrats go out to Lynetta Hickman for her completion of Marine Advanced Combat Training... and a warm welcome home to Airman Sherman Miller. We appreciate your hard work and dedication.

Pics from our Marine Heroes on the lines:

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Dear Terri,

Thanks for the birthday card! And yes, I do have a few more grey hairs. Funny how when you are young, and you dream about what you wanted to be. Well, I always knew I would be in the military, but not spending my birthday in a war zone. But, it is all worth it if my kids and my grandkids (if I ever have any) will never have to spend their birthday's in a war zone!

It has been really quiet here. We have had time to visit with some of the local kids that come up to the unit gates. I saw this really pretty blonde haired, blue eye little girl yesterday. Some of the kids know a little English. They are always very polite and very well mannered. Most of the always say, "please" and "thank you". I gave her one of the beanie babies that you sent and her eyes just lit up. All their smiles makes our day much easier and makes our time pass much faster with your cards and packages.

The waxed maple leaves you sent are a real hit! We have them hanging from the ceiling in our mess tent. It is really nice to look at something other than sand!

Your friend,

Mike - Iraq

Special Thanks To: Columbia Gorge Press and Attorney Will Carey

A special thanks to Columbia Gorge Press for giving us a drastic discount on hundreds of dollars worth of printing for flyers, thank you cards, letterhead, envelopes and business cards. We are now completely outfitted to write to local businesses and national corporations to request the contributions that will keep our care packages filled. Also, our deepest appreciation to Hood River attorney Will Carey for writing up our articles of incorporation and bylaws, GHC is now an Oregon public benefit corporation and we hope to soon have 501c3 status from the federal government.

Hero Weekly News

Pics From Army Pilot Lacy Smith

Thanks for the pics!

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Dear Terri,

Thanks so much for the cards and letters. I really do miss home. This may sound strange, but when I see the US Flag on the postage stamp from the cards and letters you send, I feel at ease, and I know that someone back home cares about us. I have been sharing your letters with everyone in the unit. They are much appreciated. They really help us pass the time and give us support to keep doing what we are doing. It helps boost our morale.

You have asked what we need and I have a couple of females in my unit that would love some lip gloss and facial moisturizer if possible.

My buddy was recently injured and would appreciate it if you keep him in your prayers. Thank you again for all your support. I appreciate your time that you take in writing me your e-mails. It is good to hear from home.

Your Friend,

SSGT, Don - Iraq

Hero Weekly News August 24, 2009

August Heroes Deployment Update

We want to welcome Army Specialist Adam VandenBos, Air Force Major Ken Ebi, Army Spec. Anthony Mayner, Army Specialist Brandon Fisher and Army Pvt. Nikolas Salas home safe and sound from their respective tours of duty in Iraq. Family members, please pass on our well wishes and thanks!!!!

Airman Mathew Knowles and Airman Michelle Knowles (yes, they are siblings) have returned to the states from Japan and Germany, respectively, so we also want to welcome them home and let them know that we appreciate their service.

Army Pvt. Austin Grimm graduates from boot camp on Sept. 11 and will join the ranks of our Heroes. I'm sure that he is having all kinds of fun in training right now :)

Army Dr. Mary Deighton will be deploying to the Middle East soon to take care of wounded and ill military personnel. What a relief her service is to all of the families who have loved ones in harm's way.

We welcome these new Heroes aboard this month: Army Pvt. Shawn Chance, and these soldiers tied to our Hood River National Guard unit who deployed with the 41st Brigade in June: Ssg. Enid Hernandez and SFC. Roger Rouleau. Also, we are now supporting Army Spec. Jason Lamb, the adorable new father who was recently featured in the Hood River News.

Also, the National Guard are very excited about having their first family picnic in several years, thanks to those of you who were durable enough to help raise money for the cause at a Middle School dance. The picnic will be on the 12th and all of our local soldiers and their families should have a very good time!

Thanks to you all for your hard work and dedication! It is GREATLY appreciated.

Proudly,

Your GHC

Veteran's Extend Special Thanks!

Dear Heroes,

I was asked to extend many thanks for your efforts and dedication today from a wonderful group of Vietnam Veterans that reside in and around The Dalles, Oregon area. My family and I often visit the homeless Veteran's in the area throughout the year and they wanted me to extend their utmost gratitude to you for putting your lives on the line for the freedoms we all enjoy today. You truly are all our Heroes!

Your GHC Member,

Terri Hansen

Thanks OPERATION WORSHIP

The Gorge Heroes Club would like to thank Operation Worship for their generous donation of bibles. The free bibles have been donated by Americans from all over the nation. Each has a personalized hand written note of encouragement inside the cover written by fellow Americans across this great nation. There are four Operation Worship Bibles to choose from: U.S. AIR FORCE, U.S. MARINE CORPS, U.S. NAVY and U.S. ARMY.

If you would like to receive one of these bibles, please drop us a line at: gorgeheroesclub@yahoo.com and we will make sure to include it in your next care package.

Thanks again Operation Worship for your kind donation to our Heroes.

Your,

GHC

A Marine Speaks Out

GHC received this e-mail and was asked to share it with all of you. This is one Marines take on an article that accused the military of deliberately targeting Muslims in the name of Christianity.

This is his perspective of someone on the front lines of combat with the people who are supporting the troops..............

"This kind of propaganda is unfortunate. Far from being horribly cruel to Muslims, the average soldier or Marine actually goes out of their way to show respect for the people and culture. We have the potential to do much more damage then we do, and the reality is the people here faced alot worse before we came. Most of the Iraqi officers I work with on this team are all Old Army officers who fought the Iranians, and in the Gulf War, then against us in 2003. They all think that things are better now, and talked about during the time of Saddam there wasn't any TV stations except state-controlled media (like in Iran). They also talk all the time about the violence and brutality, and say that Americans are soft by comparison and they wonder why we don't do more violence to terrorists when we catch them, instead of leaving them in the Iraqi court system where they are often let go.

Just the other day we had 18 detainees we rolled up with the Iraqi Army, and they wanted to kill them all, but every one of them got set free because they didn't have the warrants they needed for arrest. More civilians will die because of it, but as long as the Iraqi law system is being impartial then its what has to happen for rule of law to occur.

They also talk about the multiple assassination attempts against Saddam, and how when they ended in failure entire villages would be razed to the ground. Every one of the officers has lost multiple family members, but they aren't angry at us, they're angry at Al Qaeda, at Iran and Syria. They understand that war makes casualties, and that they did not want to fight us, believed it was impossible to defeat us but Saddam was an idiot with a death wish.

I've exchanged oaths with Iraqi soldiers, policemen, border patrol agents, and multiple others who said that they believe we are here to help and they will fight and die beside us to rid Iraq of the insurgency. And I've returned the oath, because I believe their desire to be free is real and earnest and worthy of that sacrifice. Many of them don't want us to leave, because life is better now than it was and they see us as being part of it. Religion rarely is an issue. They see us as a Christian nation, whether any of us believe in God or not, but consider us brothers as People of the Book.

I talk politics and religion alot with the soldiers and officers both, and while they believe Islam is the true faith they aren't any more fundamentalist than anyone else. They smoke, they drink, they talk about women. They're just like us. Sadly most of the people that promote propaganda are distanced from the conflict. If you travel to the villages and cities where the average person lives a life of constant danger, they want peace. They want jobs, a strong economy, security and schools for their children. They lived in utter fear during Saddam's time. But it's like back home, where Sept 11 was 8 years ago and there's people now graduating high school that will never remember what that was like.

Similarly most of the Middle Eastern people that Americans come in contact with have absolutely no reference to what life was really like under Saddam. Many of these people suffer from the same Ivory Tower syndrome that people back home do--all the knowledge without experience that continues to breed politicians and policies based more on randomly-acquired ideologies than actual knowledge from the ground.

I remember two women at Oregon State that were "refugees" from the war, but when I asked them about their family background they were rich and sheltered. Obviously, since they had enough money to flee the country and get visas. But everyone else at school was eating up everything they said as if they spoke for the entire nation. It's nothing bad against people who stand up for their beliefs, but I think uncompromising belief without the salt of experience is inherently disastrous and has probably caused more conflicts than it solves. I'm certainly open to the fact that atrocities have occurred, because they have.

Unfortunately people fail to realize that good has been done here too, and that Iraq suffers from the same birthing pains that our own nation did during it's striving for freedom. I believe most of the people against the war today would have been dedicated English loyalists during that era. But history wasn't written by the loyalists, was it? It was written by the farmers, woodsman and crafters, guided by the hand of educated men who would not be subjugated. It is the same here, my company commander's friend was killed last year in a suicide bombing that also got the battalion commander, and 14 sheiks from the Sahawa al-Anbar (Anbar Awakening) movement.

These people are bleeding for their country, and people back home aren't doing any favors to the Iraqis by trying to lose the war. Many people in America are slaves to an ideology. You can't blame them for the education they've received, or for following the cadre of classmates that don't really know why we're fighting, don't really sacrifice anything in the face of war, but somehow feel justified to speak with authority about it. Likewise anything in the media is often slanted, and that goes both ways. I'm as frustrated listening to Rush Limbaugh as I am with Keith Olbermann.

Political dialogue is necessary, but requires both respect, and more importantly--a willingness to listen. Which flaming liberals or conservatives don't have. They spend so much time reinforcing their own points of view that their ears are closed to the truth, especially if it's not what they believe. Anyway, you can pass on this email if you want. I'm not angered by events back home, I'm more disappointed that people allow themselves to be such sheep. I cordially invite anyone who wants an opinion to spend some quality time here before passing judgment on the conduct of a counterinsurgency. If it didn't break their souls in half they would walk away changed, as I have."

Our Marines - Thanks for the pics....
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8/11/09

This just in from an Air Force Pilot: "To my friends at the Heroes Club, I was so surprised to find a box of goodies waiting for me in the mailbox! I actually just got home from a Guard trip in support the Ohio F-16 Guard unit -- and it was so cool to find it waiting for me! I hope you all know just how appreciated YOU are. You show our NW soldiers that it's not just family and close friends who are thinking of them when they are deployed -- or even when we are here at home! I know and have personally experienced the joy you feel to receive a package from the Heroes Club. Plus, I have become a devoted fan of whatever these "all fruit cranberry-pear bars" are for life!!!!! Thank you again for thinking of me, my sisters and all the other members of the armed forces that you support."

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8/11

Dear Terri,

Thank you so much for the colored pictures from your kids. They are really nice to get from home. We put them up above the table we put all your goodies on that we share. There are a couple of guys in my unit that were foster kids and don't get much mail, if any. So, I shared the cards you sent with them. I can't tell you how much appreciation I saw in their eyes. Some of the guys in my unit have been here for 9 months or more and have never received anything, so we are all grateful for the cards, letters and care packages. Thank you again.

Your friend,

Mike, Iraq

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Dear Ms Hansen,

Your package arrived today and it was a very welcome surprise. Our unit has been out on manouvers for just about three weeks now. Your package was the first thing I saw sitting on my bunk. Thanks! I really appreciated the oatmeal cookies and the M&M candies. They didn't last long at all. I was able to hand out all the suckers you sent to us and some of the stuffed animals. They pack really well for us.

Things have been pretty quiet here. We have had a couple IED's but nothing serious. Time is passing quicker than I thought it would.

I want to thank you again for your care packages. The kid's drawings and cards are very special. It helps pass the time and it really helps knowing we are supported back home.

Take care,

SSGT, Don - Iraq

PS - Can you please send some more marshmellows for the marshmellow shooter? We are having so much fun!

For Our Heroes - A Note Of Thanks!

Today, the GHC received a donation in the mail with a note from a Mother that we wanted to share with you.... it reads, "This donation is from our 13-year-old son. He puts aside 10 Percent of his allowance to donate to charity and after getting a (Gorge Heroes Club) flyer at the Fourth of July parade, he chose to donate it to the veterans."

How awesome is that? Thank you for your donation... It is greatly appreciated!

GHC Is On The Move!

Hot off the press! Two great events! First off, GHC is proud to introduce our new "Sponsor A Care Package" brochure. They have been so popular, we are on our second printing! Special thanks to Columbia Gorge Press for printing these up for us.

Secondly, check out the great ad that appeared in this past Wednesday's edition of Hood River News. GHC has started a new campaign to widen community support for our program because two detachments of Soldiers with the Hood River Armory will be deploying next year to Iraq and we will be adding 45-60 boxes per month to our shipment list. Our commitment is to let all of the troops from this area know that they matter to the folks back at home! We can use all of the help -- goodies and money -- that we can get!!!!

If you are interested in helping sponsor a care package, helping with supplies or distribution of GHC brochures, please send us an e-mail at: gorgeheroesclub@yahoo.com

8/03/09

Good Afternoon, or I should say Morning your time, I just received another package from Heroes at Home, so I figured I would write a personal letter to thank you all for everything you have been sending. I have received I think 4 packages so far over these past 3 months, and every time I get one it lets me know that people back home are still thinking about me, and I have not been forgotten.

My fellow Sailors here at Naval Hospital Naples always ask where all these boxes come from, and I tell them about the program you have set up back home to help out all the Military members. The response is always appropriate, being that they too, even though they are not receiving the packages themselves know that back home people "support our troops / sailors / soldiers / marines / airmen." So I thank you for everything you have been sending, and for the future packages I will be receiving.

As you know, I have been stationed at the Naval Hospital in Naples Italy, on the Support Site Base. What we do at the hospital is what most hospitals do back home at the civilian hospitals, but for thousands of active duty members from each branch, their dependents being that wives and children, local Italian nationals that work on the base, and even the Italian military branches.

I have been assigned to work in the Emergency Department, which is my dream come true. Ever since middle school I have had a goal to become a Nurse, and work in the ER, and although I am not a nurse, I am a Corpsman, but I can do most everything Nurses are allowed to do. It is the most rewarding profession, being able to help people with the practice of medicine, seeing a transition from sick to healthy, and just knowing that you have made a difference for all the patients you treat. I wouldn't give it up for anything, besides getting my Nursing Degree of course =)

Being in Italy also has its perks, and you would probably imagine. Traveling throughout Europe these next 2 years is going to be amazing, and something that I thought I would never do when I signed the contract to join the armed forces on October 8th 2008. Already being here I have visited the towns of Gaeta, Rome, Sicily, Capri, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast all in Italy. In the future I hope to travel to every part of Italy, such as Florence and Tuscany and experience the Italian/Neapolitan cultures. Not to mention the rest of Europe. I would like to see Prague. I will attend Oktoberfest next September in Germany, I will travel to Ireland next St. Patricks Day to really celebrate like an Irishman. I will travel to Egypt to see the Pyramids, and so many other experiences I cant wait to enjoy. And periodically I will send you photos of these beautiful places to keep you updated, and always to say thanks.

Again, I thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done throughout my "A" School, and my tour here in Naples, Italy. I hope you enjoy the photos that I have attached.

Sincerely,

USN, Naples

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8/05

Dear Heroes Club,

Thank you so much for the wonderful care packages. We are deploying in the next few months and I have been saving up the great hygeine items that were included. I was so excited about the cherry and apple items as they remind me of Hood River. Plus, cherry chapstick is the the bomb :)

Life at Ft.Carson is great, much better than Ft.Bragg! The climate is much better here and it is nice to have so many outdoor activities available. Luckily we have had time to get our family settled before I go away for a year. Work is extremely busy. I am putting on a Back to School Physical marathon tomorrow for all the kids in our Brigade. I think I will need a long soak in the tub after that! I am enjoying the new job and getting used to working with the heavy armor guys, cavalry, artillery, infantry, etc. Very different world than the hospital environment I just left!

I should have some great opportunities to teach the medics and PA's in this job. We are doing a lot of trauma training which is always interesting. I haven't delivered any babies for awhile though which I miss.

Thanks again for your generous gifts. I will send along some pictures soon!

Dr. Mary Deighton