Oregon National Guard Members Help With GHC's Troop Care Box Packaging

GHC and community members came together for the February care box packaging for our local deployed troops from the Gorge region. Two members of the Oregon National Guard, Hood River Unit stopped by to help put together care packages and chat with GHC members. Special thanks goes to brother and sister, Spec Kara Bailey and Sgt Arne Bailey taking their time to stop by and help. Your dedication to our freedoms is greatly appreciated.

Spec. Kara Bailey and Sgt Arne Bailey

GHC Sec/Treasurer Deb Jones and her son Sage. Sage made some special drawings to be included in his heroes box.


GHC member Debra Laraway signs a special quilt made by GHC member Crystal Rau with "get well wishes" to GHC Hometown Hero Marine Lcpl Justin Pence.

Card signing.

Tricia Rau and her Mom Crystal help Carmen VandenBos with the final touches.

John & Julie Benton prepare care packages for our 5 Hometown Heroes on the front lines in Marjah, Afghanistan.

Daphne Blanchard and Connie Herzig working on greeting cards.

Proudly,

Your GHC

Hood River Oregon National Guard Members Prepare For Deployment

The Oregon National Guard Det 2 HHC 3-16 CAV Unit from Hood River, Oregon has been busy preparing for deployment this September. Picture here are Oregon National Guard members SGT Arne Bailey and PFC Christopher Haskins.

SGT Bailey is supervising PVT Haskins on the PMCS procedures pertaining the 1068A3 command track vehicle.

GHC will be doing a series of articles and pictures to introduce our local heroes to our community.

Weekly Hometown Hero News

GHC received these pictures from Hometown Hero Shawn Chance who sends his "thanks" for the support and care packages!

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Coming home soon will be: SFC. Roger Rouleau, Ssgt. Patricia Chestnut and Ssgt. Enid Hernandez. Going out in March will be: Airman Stacie Hoeger, who is deploying to Hawaii; Army Brigade Surgeon Mary Deighton and Army 1st. Lt. Nolan Johnson, both headed to the same duty station in Iraq; and, USMC Capt. Jesse Atay to Afghanistan.

We thank each and every one of them for their service to country!

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC Receives Thanks From Army Mom

Message from Army Mom about phone conversation with soldier son in Afghanistan: "Hello everyone…just wanted to let you all know that I got a call from my son this morning. I’m sure most of you know that his unit has been on the “Marjah” mission in Helmand Province this past week.

They are back on the base now, but will be going back into Helmand on Friday. He sounded terrible as he has a nasty head and chest cold with the bonus sore throat to go with it. He said that everyone in the unit has been sick and they seem to just keep passing it around. He assured me that the medics are taking good care of him and is hoping to feel better by Friday when they head back into the field.

My son told me that, so far, things are going well with Marjah, they are making some real gains and that the numbers are “good”. He said that it is a real honor to be a part of such a huge operation and for all of those that were not called to be a part of this mission are kind of sad about it. He also added that it would be much easier to get things done if there weren’t so many “rules” to follow. He said that this should be a real turning point in Afghanistan if everything keeps heading in the right direction.

When we hung-up, he was off to try and find a HOT shower before bed, but asked me to thank everyone for him for all of the care packages, letters and cards…I thank you all as well…especially for your continued support and prayers for him.

May God bless all of you and God bless our troops…much love."

Udderly Smooth Donates Care Package Items To GHC

Special thanks goes out to Udderly Smooth for their donation of a case of sample hand and body lotions. GHC will use them in our monthly care packages to our Heroes!

Thanks for supporting our Heroes. Your generous donation is greatly appreciated.

The Gorge Heroes Club relies on donations for our monthly care packages to our Heroes. If you have a product you would like to donate, please contact us directly for shipping information:

gorgeheroesclub@yahoo.com

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC Receives Lyle Dillenbeck Memorial Funds

GHC received $130 in memorial contributions this week from friends of the late Lyle Dillenbeck of Hood River. The family requested that donations in his name be sent to us for support of the troops. Lyle's grandson, Air Force Ssgt. Nicholas Dillenbeck, is one of the local Heroes that we support with care packages each month and we are grateful to be remembered by his father, Don Dillenbeck, and the other members of the family in their time of grief.

GHC would like to thank these individuals for making a donation in remembrance of Lyle Dillenbeck to GHC: Masao Ogawa, Harold and Lora Ann Kirby, Melven and Mary Ellen Picking and Kemp Lodge No. 181 Independent.

We are truly honored.

Your GHC

GHC Hometown Hero Marine Lcpl Injured

Update - GHC Hometown Hero a Marine Lcpl has been injured while fighting in Afghanistan. He sustained a gun shot wound to his leg and is now undergoing medical treatments to repair nerve damage.

GHC has set up a community "Get Well" card signing beginning this coming Tuesday at the Hood River News Office located on State Street in Hood River. There will also be a handmade lap quilt made by GHC member Crystal Rau there for the community to write encouraging thoughts and wishes. Those not able to attend can e-mail a special message to : gorgeheroesclub@yahoo.com.

GHC is has set up a special fund to cover the cost of calling cards and personal care items that he will need during his hospital stay. Donations can be made through GHC's secure online link located on the right side of this blog or mailed to:

Gorge Heroes Club

Injured Warrior Fund

1767 12th Street #113

Hood River, Oregon 97031

GHC would like to thank our Hometown Hero for his dedication and commitment to our freedom. Sending you hugs from home and wishes for a speedy recovery.

Proudly,

Your GHC

First Wave Of Care Boxes Off To Heroes

Update - A small group of GHC members met this afternoon to prepare the first in a series of care packages requested by four front line GHC Hometown Heroes participating in the offensive in Marjen, Afghanistan. (See previous post)

GHC would like to thank Dr. Kyle House, Dr. Steven Wohlford and Safeway for stepping in and helping with this urgent need request for our Heroes.

Four year old Tiannah Meza from Hood River helps prepare care packages for GHC Heroes.

GHC B of D President, RaeLynn Ricarte sorting and stuffing the care packages.

GHC is still collecting additional items for the four Hometown Heroes as previously posted. Care package items can be dropped off at the Hood River News.

Urgent Need List - Just In - Need by 2/19

Urgent need request rec'd today from four Hometown Heroes taking part in Marjeh, Afghanistan operations: Black Over The Calf Socks , Foot Cream, Foot Powder, Drink Mixes, Beek Jerky, Trail Mix & Tobacco products. GHC ship date: 2/19 Donation drop off point: Hood River News.

Those wishing to make a monetary contribution can do so by following our link on the right side of this page.

Our Heroes THANK YOU!

Follow GHC On Facebook

It's official.... GHC is now on Facebook! Get up to the minute updates, news and event information.

Here is our Facebook user name: Gorge Heroes-Club

Heroes, we'd love to hear from you!

Proudly,
Your GHC

Thanks Hood River City Council and Safeway

Special thanks to Safeway, who donated more than $200 of hygiene and snack items this week to send to our three Marines who are involved in heavy fighting in Afghanistan and will be engaged in a major spring offensive against the Taliban and Al Qaeda!

We also want to express our great appreciation to the Hood River City Council, who each donated their monthly stipend, for a total of $400, to the Gorge Heroes Club. Last year, Mayor Arthur Babitz and Councilors Ann Frodel, Laurent Picard, Carrie Nelson, John Herron, Jane Beatty and Dawna Armstrong began taking turns selecting a local non-profit organization to receive the money that they are paid for their service to the community. Laurent chose GHC as the recipient for the month of February and our shipping costs for the Easter packages is now covered! We are deeply grateful for this contribution and so are the 45 men and women in the armed forces that we support. Yesterday, we received this note from Ssgt. Enid Hernandez in Iraq, "Thank you so much for the love and support you send my way." Way to go City Council, you are helping us put a smile on someone's face who is far from home!

GHC Heroes Heading To Marjah

GHC would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Kyle House and Dr. Steven Wohlford, who are sending out special packages to our local Heroes who are involved in this operation. The Marines mentioned in the Stars and Stripes segment are part of the new "troop surge" and are joining our Marines who have been in-country since October.

“For the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based infantrymen of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment who will be participating in the battle for control of Marjeh — the Taliban’s last major stronghold in Helmand province — it’s a time of quiet reflection as they prepare for what in the weeks ahead is expected to be one of the largest, and potentially most dangerous, military operations of the past year. Hundreds, if not thousands, of bombs are likely to be buried around Marjeh, which features a sprawling network of canals and poppy fields mixed together with a busy marketplace, according to Marines.” Stars and Stripes Magazine

Our Heroes

Our Time In Hell
"Wherever we went, we went together.
Whatever we did, we did together.
Whenever we suffered, suffered as one.
Joined together, trained together, sang together.
Of Montezuma, and Tripoli, and all the rest.
Same squad, same ship, same hell, together.
And if one of us needed help, we rose together.
And if one of us were hurt, brought him back together.
And if he died, cried together. We lived and fought and died together, and for each other.
What is esprit de corps?
Well, now hear this and pass the word:
The word is brotherhood."
-- WWII USMC

GHC would like to express our gratitude to all our Heroes. Be strong, be safe and come home proud!

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC Update - Urgent Needs List & February News

Dear GHC,

Our next box packing is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24th, 5:30PM at the Hood River National Guard Armory. Those who attended last month's box packing know our supplies are low, so please spread the word... Our Heroes need our support!

Our Heroes Urgent Need List

(Individual packages, unless stated otherwise)
Hygiene Wipes
Hand Sanitizer
Jerky
Cookies
Crackers
Q-Tips (Large Packages)
Medicated Foot Powder
Deodorant (Roll-On or Gel Only)
Dr. Scholls Moleskin
Pudding, Jell-O (Individual, Ready Made)
Tuna/Chicken Salad W/Crackers
Gum
Kleenex (Individual Packages)

Please check this post often, changes will be posted.

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Other News:

Please mark your calendars for the next GHC/American Legion Post #22 sponsored Middle School Dance. It will be held Friday, February 26th from 6 to 10PM at the Hood River National Guard Armory. GHC needs volunteers for the event. If you can help, please contact RaeLynn Ricarte at RRicarte@HoodRiverNews.com.

Collections have begun for the May GHC/American Legion Post #22 Rummage Sale. All proceeds from the event will be going towards the purchase of care package items and postage costs. We have an entire National Guard Armory Gym floor to fill... so, spread the word!

Special "thanks" goes out to Duckwall-Pooley Fruit Company for donating storage space for the items to be held until the event.

Volunteers are needed before, during and after the event. If you have items to donate, or you if you would like to be a volunteer, please contact us at: gorgeheroesclub@yahoo.com.

Sew? Knit? Crochet? GHC is looking for handmade afghans or quilts that we can raffle off during our November Spaghetti Feed. If you can help, please drop us a line at: gorgeheroesclub@yahoo.com

Proudly,

Your GHC

January Middle School Dance Fun!

Last Friday evening, GHC and the Hood River's American Legion Post #22 kicked off it's line up of middle school dances. All the proceeds go towards care package items and postage costs for our local deployed troops.

The evening started off with a hotdog feed from 6PM to 7PM and the dance followed until 10PM.

The next scheduled dance is Friday, February 26. During this dance, there will be a dance off between middle schools!

Middle Schooler Jennie Packer (in the middle) and friends having fun!

Let the fun begin!

Mary Knowles and GHC members getting ready for the dance.... complete with a laser light show!

GHC would like to thank all it's volunteers for helping with the event! Everyone had a great time... As some GHC members boogied to the beat, others were seen adjusting their ear plugs!

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC'S January Box Packing... "Sending Hugs From Home"

Dear Heroes,

Your GHC members met last evening for the January care package assembly. Each member had a wonderful time helping and going among the goodies to find just the "right" items to put in your care boxes. Here are some pics of our event:

GHC Group Picture - Sending you hugs from home!

Special "Hero" artwork colored by a local daycare facility children.

Hood River's Delta Kappa members helping prepare boxes.

Roberta Clayton and other members signing cards.

Members helping prepare drink mix packages.

Assembly line in action!

More box packing.....

Member Dr. Steven Wohlford prepares his special Marine's package.

Member Jean Hadley is all smiles!

The final touches.... Squishing those seams... and sealing them shut!

Hero Justin Moore's family putting together drink mix packages.

GHC would like to thank all it's members for coming together for our monthly care package assembly. We have a big road ahead of us this year... and with all your dedication to supporting our Heroes, we will get the job done!

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC Announces 1st National Guard Fundraiser Of The Year

Gorge Heroes Club and American Legion Post 22 presents.......

GHC starts off the year with the first Middle School Dance of the season sponsored with Hood River's American Legion Post 22. The first dance will be held Friday, January 29th at the Hood River National Guard Armory located at 1590 12th Street.

Hot dogs, chips and soda will be served from 6-7PM, with the dance to follow. Other concession items will also be available for purchase.

GHC would like to thank military Dad, Marty Knowles for being our DJ for the evening's events.

Proceeds from the dance will go towards monthly care packages for our local National Guard members who will be deploying to Iraq this coming September.

Details about GHC's upcoming events and this dance will be on the front page of this Saturday's edition of Hood River News, with a full detailed article in the following Wednesday's paper.

Questions? Please contact us directly at: gorgeheroesclub@yahoo.com

Proudly,

Your GHC

Weekly Hero News

Oregon NG Spec. Kara Bailey with U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden on this past Sunday during his town hall visit where Spec. Bailey helped post the colors here in Hood River.

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Hero News: Army 1st Lt. Peter Downing's deployment to Afghanistan will end in about two weeks and he will return to the states with our deepest gratitude for his service to country!

Army TSgt. Kerri Marinas has transferred from Germany to Iraq. And we have also learned during the past couple of weeks that USMC Capt. Jesse Atay be deploying to Afghanistan in March, and Army Bridge Surgeon Mary Deighton and Army 1st. Lt. Nolan Johnson will also be shipping out for Iraq.

In February, we will be welcoming new Marine Calvin Garrett of White Salmon to the roster of Heroes. He is now in the second stage of boot camp in San Diego.

We would also like to welcome AF Ssgt. Nicholas Dillenbeck from Hood River who is stationed at Ramstein AFB in Germany to our family of Heroes.

GHC would like to express our deepest gratitude to our Heroes for their dedication and commitment to our country.

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC - Matching Our Heroes - Step For Step

GHC is working on our line up of events for 2010. We will have a fun filled, action packed year. And with the deployment of our local Hood River National Guard members off to Iraq in September, we need to work even harder to get the funds for monthly care packages and their postage costs. It is going to be a long journey for our Heroes, so we are committed to working equally as hard, step-by-step to help them get their needed support from home.

First off, we will be scheduling middle school dances that will be held at the Hood River National Guard Armory every month. The schedule will be finalized in a few days... so, we will need volunteers to help with that.

In May, we will be having a "garage sale" at the Armory. So, start collecting all your goodies that you want to donate. We will need people to help get things set up prior to, during and after the event. We are looking for new or used items. So, spread the word.... We have an entire gym floor to fill!

May brings two events. Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. Details will be finalized in the next week for event schedules and times.

July 4th Parade and Jackson Park Refreshment Booth. We will need members to walk the parade route, hand out flyer's, work the concession stand, decorate and ride in our float.

August - In conjunction with the Best Western Hood River Inn we will be doing and open house for our local Hood River National Guard that will be heading out to Iraq on Sept 11. Details to follow.

November - Spaghetti Feed and Holiday Box Packaging.

In between these times, there are also Hood River's First Friday's to sell cookies.... Cooling scarves to sew.... Christmas stockings to sew..... Corporation donation letters to write.... Groups and organizations to be contacted about donations..... Pop can/bottle drive to spearhead.....Your help is greatly appreciated and goes a very long way in helping our Heroes do their jobs and to come home safe.

If you can help, or would like more information, please contact us: gorgeheroesclub@yahoo.com

Proudly,
Your GHC

Urgent Supply List Update For January Care Packages

With our supplies depleted from the holiday packing, we are in urgent need of the following items for our January care box packaging, individual packaging items if available:

Valentines Candy and Cards (January shipped boxes will arrive right before Valentine's day)
Jerky
Pepperoni
Crackers - Individual Variety
Nuts - Peanuts, Almonds, Cashews
Drink Mixes
Snack Bars
Rice Krispie Bars
Hot Chocolate
Coffee & Creamers - Individual
Tuna
Candy Bars - M & M's - Snickers, etc

Hope to see you there!

Your GHC

Meet Senior Airman Adam Sigl's New Bundle Of Joy!

It's a girl!

Congratulations are in order for Senior Airman Adam Sigl and his wife Darcy. Little Lily Ann was born December 19th. Lily joins older brother Killian.

Senior Airman Sigl is stationed at Minot, North Dakota AFB. Both Adam and his wife Darcy are from Hood River.

Congrats you two! Sending hugs and well wishes from home.