GHC'S January Box Packing Sets New Organizational Record

The Gorge Heroes Club is pleased to announce that our troop box packing for the month of January set a new record - 404 Hometown Heroes have care packages headed their way thanks to the efforts of our members and community supporters!  GHC would like to thank Oregon State Representative Mark Johnson for taking time out of his busy schedule to stop by and help with the box packing and sharing this great achievement with us!

GHC has two chapters - one in The Dalles, Oregon that meets the third Thursday of each month - 7PM at the Oregon National Guard Armory and one in Hood River, Oregon that meets the forth Wednesday - 5:30PM at WAAAM - The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River. (More details located in the right sidebar)



GHC - The Dalles Chapter Box Packing - The fun begins!

GHC - The Dalles Card Signing for members of the Oregon National Guard 3-116 CAV Unit

GHC - The Dalles Final Touches!

GHC - The Dalles Members - Thank you!

GHC - Hood River Card Signing

Oregon State Representative Mark Johnson - stopped by and helped with the box packing!

GHC - Hood River - Some of the donated goodies!

GHC - Hood River - Handmade Cards, thanks to our GHC'S Cards Team!

Proudly,

Your GHC

Cody Standiford Veteran Liason For Congressman Walden's Office To Visit GHC's Box Packing

GHC - The Dalles Chapter

Cody Standiford, an Iraqi war veteran and liasion for our troops with Congressman Greg Walden's office invites military families from the Mid-Columbia region to meet with him at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20, at The Dalles Armory, 713 Webber St. Standiford will also hear concerns from local veterans until 7 p.m. that evening, when he will join members of the Gorge Heroes Club in packing boxes for soldiers with the 3-116 in Iraq. Anyone is welcome to join the care package assembly line and help make sure our soldiers know that they matter to the folks back at home. Standiford can be reached for assistance with a question or concern at (541) 389-4408 or cody.standiford@mail.house.gov.

GHC JANUARY BOX PACKING INFORMATION

GHC - The Dalles, Oregon Chapter

Thursday - Jan 20th - The Dalles National Guard Armory

7PM

Urgent Need Items Are:

Individually wrapped -

Cookies

Crackers

Gum

Fruit Bars

Granola Bars

Chap Stick

Hot Choc

Hot Cider

Trail Mix

Nuts

Small Snack Sized Candy Bars

Hard Candy

GHC - Hood River, Oregon Chapter

Wednesday - Jan 26th - WAAAM- Airport Way, Hood River, OR

5:30PM

Urgent Need Items Are:

Cookies

Crackers

Gum

Fruit Bars

Granola Bars

Chapstick

Hot Choc

Hot Cider

Trail Mix

Nuts

Small Sized Candy Bars

Hard Candy

Drink Mixes

Hygiene Wipes

Tooth Brushes

Canned Food - Chili, Tuna, Beef Stew, Corned Beef, Etc

Questions: GHC@gorge.net

Honored,

Your GHC

Oregon National Guard 3-116th CAV Settles In

GHC has received some pictures from members of the 3-116th CAV:
(If you click on the picture, it will become larger in another screen)

National Guard - Hood River, OR unit Christmas Tree

Sleeping Quarters

Christmas Day Promotions

Christmas Day Promotions

GHC would like to thank our heroes for sharing these pics with us and our families.  If you have any pictures you would like to share, please e-mail them to GHC@gorge.net

Honored,

Your GHC

GHC Receives Thanks From Oregon's 3-116 CAV Members

"Thank you for the presents and Christmas cards that we received. During this time of year it was nice to have something to hand out to soldiers during the holidays. The wrapping of the stockings was a nice touch. We gathered our platoon (details omitted) in the motor pool to hand them out before a company photo. It was a good feeling to see everyone receive a wrapped gift on Christmas morning. It is much appreciated from every soldies in our company that there are so many people at home that support us. On behalf of (soldiers in company), thank you for your hard work collecting these items and the support that you continue to give us." 2nd. Lt. Chris Perrotti.

"I would like to take the time to say thanks to all of the members of the Gorge Heroes Club for the Christmas packages that you sent to our company (details omitted). The Christmas stockings that were sent to the soldiers was greatly welcomed and put a smile on the soldiers' faces. We passed the stockings out on Christmas Day and we watched them open them up, and many soldiers were taking photos while this was going on, that was real cool. The daily work load that we do over here is not bad but some days are busier than others -- but that is the life of a soldier. The weather is nice and not too warm and not too cold, but we know the hot season is coming soon, so we take what we can and enjoy it to the fullest. Every day that goes by is a day closer to the time we get to come home. So, I would like to thank you once more for the stockings and keep the wonderful things that you do for the soldiers up." SFC Joseph Lewis

 

Honored,

Your GHC

GHC Accepts Biggest Challenge In It's Organizational History!

The Gorge Heroes Club has accepted its biggest challenge to date by adopting 142 soldiers in Iraq from the Oregon National Guard 3-116th CAV that need to get mail from home and adding them to the line-up of almost 200 other soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that are being provided with care packages each month in Afghanistan and Iraq.

We are relying upon continued support from Mid-Columbia region communities and beyond to meet this challenge during the next nine months out of the belief that no one in harm's way should ever feel unloved or alone. Donations for shipping are always needed and items for the care packages provided to the troops can be left at The Dalles Armory, 713 Webber St., WAAAM the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, 1600 Air Museum Road or Windermere Glenn Taylor Realtors in Bingen, Washington.

Packages for our new soldiers, plus about 90 other military personnel, will be put together at WAAAM in Hood River at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, and all interested community members are invited to help with that effort.

The assembly of care packages for about 150 soldiers, most from The Dalles unit, takes place at 7 p.m. on Thursday , Jan. 20, at the armory and, again, help will be welcomed and appreciated.

It will take all of us working together to get the job done right and we urge you to support this vital mission.

Here is the current urgent need list for January's box packing for both the Hood River and The Dalles Chapter's of GHC:

Individually wrapped-

Fruit Bars

Granola Bars

Hot Chocolate

Hot Cider

Cookies

Crackers

Hard Candy

Gum

Honored,
Your GHC

Holiday Wishes To Our Heroes

The Gorge Heroes Club started out this year bidding farewell to five Marine assault teams and a separate 50-member Marine support unit that shipped out to Afghanistan. Their respective deployments were followed by the departure of an Army line officer and an Army surgeon to Iraq. Over the course of the summer, these individuals provided us with names of "military orphans" that were not receiving mail from home and the mothers amongst us reached out to adopt these Heroes. In addition to taking care of these troops, GHC was sending care packages or cards to dozens of other military personnel around the globe. But our biggest challenge came in September when 165 soldiers from the Hood River and The Dalles armories deployed to Iraq. Our members rallied to hold a series of fundraisers that would allow us to provide each and every one of these Heroes with a care package every month, and we will soon be adopting 142 more soldiers that are in need of support. In addition, an Army soldier from our area has just headed into Afghanistan and we are going to be providing comfort items for his squad, thanks to the generosity of area businesses, especially Safeway, and community members.

To all of our Heroes in combat zones that are not be able to spend time with family members during the holidays, we pray that God wraps his protective hand around you and provides you with a spirit of peace. To our warriors that have recently returned from combat zones, we hope that you find rest from any burdens on your spirit during the Christmas season and learn to laugh again while re-connecting with family.

Honored,
Your GHC

GHC's Urgent Need Request

Suggested Brand

GHC has received an urgent need request from a unit of Hometown Heroes in Afghanistan.  They are in need of hand/foot warmers.  Drop off points are:
The Dalles National Guard Armory from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays


WAAAM - The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum off Tucker Road in Hood River - Open 7 days a week from 9AM to 5PM

Windermere Glenn Taylor Realtors - Bingen, Washington - Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM

Those wishing to make a monetary donation can do so be following our secure PayPal link to the right.

Honored,
Your GHC

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski's Holiday Wishes To Oregon National Guard Members

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski delivers his 2010 Holiday message to Oregon National Guard members and their families, from the State Capitol in Salem, Ore. Video production by MSG Thomas Hovie. Produced by the Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office.

 
Please click on this link to view the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWkQiHMuz2I
 
Honored,
Your GHC

Congressman Walden Thanks GHC And Families Of Oregon's Deployed 3-116th CAV

This past weekend was the Christmas Party for the Hood River and The Dalles Oregon Units of the Oregon National Guard and for any families of deployed heroes from the Gorge region.  The Gorge Heroes Club would like to share a "letter of thanks" that we received from Oregon's Congressman Greg Walden. 

Greetings National Guard members and families of deployed soldiers,

I am sorry that I cannot be with you in person but I am with you in spirit today as you gather. I want to say a special thanks to The Gorge Heroes Club, The Mid-Columbia Veterans Committee, The VFW Auxiliary and the Family Readiness Group headed by Lisa Bishop for coordinating this wonderful event. Google also deserves a big thank you for setting up computers here today, so that folks can see their deployed loved ones. I would also like to thank The Mid-Columbia Fire Department for serving this fine meal that has been provided free of charge by The Sassy Onion who came all the way from Salem for this event. In addition to all of these great folks, Griffith Motors of The Dalles and The Dollar Tree stores of both Hood River and The Dalles have done an outstanding job helping Santa and his elves get the toys ready for all the children here today.

Thank you Randy Haines for providing the music for us here today, and also thank you Bob Davis for taking pictures of the kids with Santa. And let's not forget to thank Santa and Mrs. Claus for taking time from their very busy schedule in the North Pole to come down and spread some cheer to the kids and families of our deployed soldiers. All of these groups and folks deserve a round of applause.

Now it is time to thank the folks that have really brought us all together here today: the families of the soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your service and support of our great nation's fighting men and women. To be a complete soldier, ready to answer the call of our nation, one must have the love and support of people just like you. Keeping a household running, paying the bills, mowing the lawn, raising the children without the presence of significant others...all of these things add to the effectiveness of our fighting forces, and you are the ones providing that support. Taking the time to write a letter, send an email or answer the phone at odd hours keeps our soldiers minds just a little calmer and better able to focus on the mission at hand. Knowing that loved ones are well cared for in their absence makes for an easier separation, adding to the readiness and mindset that is crucial for our soldiers to maintain when deployed. Your support and sacrifice, particularly during the Christmas season, is valued and appreciated. Although you are not deployed to a foreign country, have no doubt that you are serving right alongside our beloved soldiers as they fulfill the mission they have so bravely accepted. Thank you again for supporting our men and women of Alpha and Fox Companies, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, you are critical to the success of their mission.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. God Bless America!

Congressman Greg Walden

Famous Actor Mark Wahlberg Pays A Holiday Visit To GHC'S Adopted Marine Unit

Msgt Carla Perez (left), Actor/Director Mark Wahlberg

 

Members of the 1st Marine Forward G4 Unit stationed in Marjah, Afghanistan got a welcome surprise from famous Actor/Director Mark Wahlberg today. The unit got to watch the world premier of his new movie, "The Fighter" with him.

What a wonderful holiday surprise.  GHC would like to thank Mr. Wahlberg for taking time from his busy schedule to support our heroes!

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC Receives "Thanks" From The 1st Marine Division - Afghanistan

The Gorge Heroes Club  is honored to have received  "thank you" notes from members of the 1st Marine Division currently stationed in Marjah, Afghanistan. 

--------------------

Dear GHC,

"Thank you all so much for the stockings, the Marines and Sailors all loved them. I had enough to give to everyone in my office and share with some of the others. You guys are the best. Believe it or not, someone sent us real Christmas trees, a box of lights and ornaments, so we will decorate it tonight. The Marines have hung stockings up and are in the holiday spirit. Thank you again." CP

--------------------

Dear GHC,

"I would like to personally thank you and your family for the Christmas stocking, card and prayers. We really appreciate all your support, it goes a long way when you're out here alone. At least I can say that I have my fellow brethren and sisters here with me. It's really nice to know that there are still people out there who care so much for this great country and those who protect it. Your kind words and selfless act to ensure that we have something for Christmas-  really touches my heart. My sincere thanks to you and your family! Take care and may God continue to Bless you and your family for many years to come." RF

-------------------

Dear GHC, 

"I just want to say thank you very much for the Christmas socks that we received today. You should've seen all these smiling faces. Little things like this gift makes a big difference for these young Marines out here, it remarkably boosted their morale. Again, thank you very much for all your support. Happy Holidays and God bless!" RM

-------------------


Dear GHC,

"Thanks for the thoughtful gifts.  I just wanted to wish you a happy holidays and a big Thank you! for your support. I was raised in Tigard, Oregon, graduated class of 91’ from Tigard High School. I do miss the Northwest dearly and when I retire I plan to move back in the Portland area or Bend Area. I appreciate your prayers and remembering us out here fighting the fight. Semper Fi!" CR

-------------------

Honored,

Your GHC

Griffith Motors Collects Toys For Oregon National Guard Children

David Griffith, owner of Griffith Motors in The Dalles, stands with boxes of toys that he has collected for children of deployed National Guard soldiers from The Dalles and Hood River armories. About 100 toys for children ages 0-18 have been donated by community members and will be passed out during Saturday's Christmas party for Oregon National Guard families, and the soldiers from the rear detachment, at the Civic Auditorium in The Dalles. Other military families from the area have also been invited to attend.

Toys will be collected through this Friday at Griffith Motors, The Dalles.

GHC'S Festival Of Trees Entry Donated To The Oregon Veteran's Home

This beautifully patriotic tree sponsored by GHC and decorated by volunteers from the VFW Auxiliary, Red Hats and Mid-Columbia Veterans Committee sold at the Festival of Trees in The Dalles for $1,625 and was donated for the season to the Oregon Veterans Home.

The tree was adorned with small military ornaments, dog tags, military airplanes and memorabilia from all branches of service along with  individual pictures of members from the local Oregon National Guard 3-116 CAV Unit from The Dalles, Oregon.

GHC would like to thank all the individuals and organizations involved in putting together this awesome tree!

Proudly,
Your GHC

GHC's Hood River Chapter Holiday Box Packing Fun!

With the backdrop of antique military cars and aeroplanes, the Hood River Chapter of GHC recently met to fill the handmade Christmas stockings for this year's gifts to our hometown heroes.  Between the Hood River and The Dalles Chapter's of GHC we were able to send out over 266 stockings stuff with goodies this year!

GHC member Julie Benton prepares the stocking contents and prepares the stockings to be stuffed.

The stockings were hand sewn by GHC's sewing team and members of the Columbia River Gorge Quilters Guild and customers of ETC - in Hood River. THANK YOU!

Each Christmas stocking was accompanied with a handmade card made by GHC's Card Teams and signed by GHC members and community supporters.

GHC member's Roberta Clayton and Katie Pritchett are stuffing the stockings with candy canes donated by Safeway of Hood River before they are wrapped and boxed.

 GHC members and community supporters line up and start the fun!  To add to the festive fun, WAAAM provided antique military vehilcles as seen in the background of this picture adorned with holiday lights!

To find out more about GHC and ways you can help support our hometown heroes, please drop us a line at: GHC@gorge.net  -

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC To Receive 2% Of Sales From Hood River Sears Store This Saturday, Dec 4th

The Gorge Heroes Club is proud to announce that the local Hood River Sears Store will donate 2% of their daily sales for this Saturday, December 4th to GHC!

"Want to do something great for others, and also get something for yourself? Stop by your Hood River Hometown Dealer Store this Saturday, December 4th where you can SAVE with low sale prices PLUS Sears will GIVE 2% of the entire day's proceeds to GORGE HEROES CLUB. Helping others while helping yourself...now that's a great deal."  Daryn Fogle, Owner Hood River Sears

The event will take place at the Hometown Sears Store located at 1795 12th Street in the Heights Shopping Center.  The doors open at 9AM - so please spread the word and plan on starting your holiday shopping off at the Hood River Sears Store!

GHC would like to thank GHC members and store owners, Daryn and Sue Fogle for working with Sears Corporate to make this happen.  We appreciate your support for our heroes.

Proudly,
Your GHC

Support Requests From Oregon National Guard 3-116th CAV Coming In

GHC has been receiving request for the following items from the recently deployed  members of the Oregon National Guard 3-116th CAV unit.


Donations of items can be dropped of at the following locations:


WAAAM  - The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River
Windermere Glenn Taylor Realtors in Bingen, Washingon
Oregon National Guard Armory - The Dalles, Oregon


Requested items:
Current editions of local hometown newspapers plus Time and Newsweek magazines.


Individual packages of:
Gum
Jerky
Cookies
Crackers
Nuts
Trail Mix
Candy
Chocolate
Fruit Bars
Chapstick


Any small snack item that is individually packed that they can slip into their pockets.


Please contact GHC directly at: GHC@gorge.net for further information or questions.


Thank you for supporting our heroes!


Proudly,
Your GHC

GHC's The Dalles Chapter November Holiday Box Packing Fun!

The Dalles chapter of The Gorge Heroes Club met recently at the Oregon National Guard Armory to put together the holiday care packages to the recently deployed 3-116th CAV Unit. 

GHC's sewing team provided over 135 handmade holiday stockings for the community to come in and help assemble.

Here community members are signing over 135 cards that the GHC Cards team handmade for the troops!

Operation Home Front came to The Dalles and handed out Hug-A-Dolls to the children of the 3-116th CAV members on the same evening as the community box packing. 

The cards that GHC's Cards and Letters Team made for each hero.

The fun begins!  Each community member got in line to stuff the handmade Christmas stockings to each member of the 3-116 CAV - Oregon National Guard.

GHC would like to thank Hood River Safeway and the community members who provided all the goodies for the Christmas stockings for our heroes.

The next community box packing for The Dalles Chapter of GHC will take place in JANUARY - on the third Thursday at The Dalles Oregon National Guard Armory, 7PM.

Proudly,
Your GHC

GHC Gears Up For 3/116 CAV Holiday's For Local Guard Families

Oregon National Guard soldiers from Hood River and The Dalles will depart for Iraq next week with the 3rd Battalion 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team and plans are already underway to provide their families with some holiday cheer.

Local businessman David Griffith is spearheading the collection of Christmas gifts for the children of 130 soldiers from The Dalles unit that have completed advanced training at Camp Shelby, Miss., and will spend almost one year in the Middle East. He has set up a donation bin at Griffith Motors, 523 E. Third Street, and invites community members to contribute a toy for children in one of four age groups; 0-5, 6-10, 11-14 and 15-18.

The majority of Guard children are elementary school age or younger so Griffith said more items will be needed in that age range. Several of the Army wives are expecting a child within the next few months so newborn items are also welcome. The deadline to drop off unwrapped toys at the car dealership is 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 13.

"I decided to help out with this cause because it isn't only the soldier that is serving during a deployment; the entire family is making sacrifices as well. I think it is really important to make the holidays a little brighter for these families because this is going to be a tough Christmas for them," said Griffith.

The Civic Auditorium Board of Directors has donated use of the facilities for the Holiday for Hero Families brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18. Because Santa will be making a visit, photographer Bob Davis of Tableau Vivant has donated his services to capture the moment for absentee mothers and fathers.

Griffith and Les Cochenour, both members of The Dalles Chapter of the Gorge Heroes Club, are working with Lisa Bishop, Family Readiness Group Coordinator for The Dalles unit, and other military families and veterans to organize the brunch.

The group is also busy collecting snack items that will be used to fill Christmas stockings during the assembly of holiday care packages for soldiers:

The Dalles GHC Chapter Troop Holiday Box Packing - 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18, in the armory, 713 Webber Street in The Dalles.

The Hood River Chapter Troop Holiday Box Packing - 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov 24, WAAAM, off Tucker Road in Hood River.

Anyone wanting to donate candy and individually-packaged nuts, cookies, crackers and other treats may drop them at:

The Dalles National Guard Armory from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays

WAAAM - The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum off Tucker Road in Hood River - Open 7 days a week from 9AM to 5PM

Windermere Glenn Taylor Realtors - Bingen, Washington - Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM

Cochenour said GHC is facing its biggest challenge yet to provide boxes each month for 130 Guard members from The Dalles and 35 from the Hood River Armory. He said the group is determined to succeed with the mission and volunteers will be making the rounds of businesses and service organization to ask for financial and/or material contributions.

"It's going to be very expensive to send these boxes each month but that is not going to hold us back because this is something that we all owe these soldiers," said Cochenour. "I realize that there are many groups during the holiday season that are looking for funds but supporting the people that are out there fighting for us should be our first priority."

GHC is holding two community rummage sales to help raise funds for the care packages:

The Dalles Oregon National Guard Armory from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20th

Valley Worship Center - Mt Hood, Oregon from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov 19th and Saturday, Nov 20th

People are invited to clean out their closets and drop off quality used merchandise to either location. Baked goods will also be sold at the event and complimentary hot apple cider and coffee will be served.

"We are going to have some real bargains and all of the money goes to a good cause so mark your calendars and plan to do a little shopping and help our troops at the same time," said Terri Hansen, GHC vice-president.

GHC is a nonprofit organization that provides care packages for anyone serving in the military from the Mid-Columbia region. The group run by volunteers has an account set up at CenterPointe Bank, which has branches in The Dalles and Hood River. Donations are tax deductible. 

 

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC Receives Thanks From 1st Marine Division (Fwd)

The Certificate

The United States Flag and Certificate

The 1st Marine Division (FWD) Coin

The Gorge Heroes Club is honored to have received "thanks" from the 1st Marine Division (Fwd) Headquarters, Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. 

The United States Flag was flown in our honor over Camp Leatherneck on October 6, 2010 and dedicated in our honor by Master Sergeant Carla Perez. 

The certificate is signed by Commanding General J. L. Osterman and Sergeant Major P.A. Fascetti both of the 1st Marine Division (Fwd).

The Gorge Heroes Club is honored to be supporting the members of the 1st Marine Division. 

Sending out special thanks to Master Sergeant Carla Perez for dedication of this honor to the Gorge Heroes Club. 

With great pride,

Your GHC

October GHC Hood River Chapter Troop Care Box Packing

The Hood River Chapter of the Gorge Heroes Club met on the 4th Wednesday of October at WAAAM - the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River to ready our monthly shipment of care packages to our deployed heroes.

GHC would like to thank it's Baking Team and community members for baking dozens of cookies that GHC shipped to the members of the 3-116 CAV - Oregon National Guard Members.  Between GHC's Hood River and The Dalles Chapters we where able to ship off over 40 large boxes of homemade goodies! 

Members and community guests filling "unit packs"

Oregon National Guard member Sgt Hall's children, Mikey and Maggie came  to put together a special package for their Dad. 

If you would like to find out more about The Gorge Heroes Club and ways that you can help our military heroes, please drop us a line at: ghc@gorge.net

Proudly,
Your GHC