A chill is in the air, Thanksgiving is approaching, and everyone is looking forward to spending the holidays with their families.
But for the men and women who are serving this country in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan – and for their families here at home – the upcoming holidays won’t be so joyful.
The Vevay American Legion is asking that as everyone begins to think about presents for family members this holiday season, that everyone will also remember that items are needed to be included in holiday care packages being shipped to soldiers with Switzerland County ties.
Items needed include:
Personal Christmas Cards; handheld games; CD players and CDs; all sizes of batteries; disposable cameras; international phone cards; travel size games; hard Christmas candy; fun items for gifts; canned meat (chicken and tuna); Mach 3 razors; single packets of Kool-Aid; body and foot powder; beef jerky; non-perishable food items; baby wipes; hand sanitizer; Tylenol, Advil, or Ibuprofen; granola bars; and nasal spray and eye wash.
Any of these items that individuals would like to purchase for inclusion in the care packages may be dropped off at the Vevay American Legion, 213 Ferry Street, Vevay, anytime before November 24th.
On Saturday, November 24th, volunteers will be packaging the boxes for Christmas. Anyone who would like to help with the packaging is welcome to, and should be at the legion at 10 a.m.
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Currently there are 17 names on the American Legion list of local military people who will receive care packages.
The current list includes:
Sherry K. Mack; AWZ Justin Heath; SSG Karl E. Brown; Pvt. Aaron Black; SPC Derek Pearson; PFC Michael Westefield; SGT Peter Amis; LCPL Tanner Briggs; SPL Alex Davis; LCPL Brian Burkepike; SPL Jamin Moore; LCPL Douglas Mastruserio; Nathan Gulley; CW II Darin Scudder; SPC Doug Canfield; Christopher Miller; and James Williams.
Anyone who would like to add a person to this list should contact the American Legion post at 427-9144; or Rita Sullivan at 427-3947.
Also: The American Legion is asking that people not forget those soldiers who have been wounded and hospitalized. The community is invited to send a Christmas card to one or all of the following hospitals for distribution to injured troops:
– Landstuhl Army Medical Center, Attn: Section/Division CMR 402, APO AE 09180
– Bethesda Naval Medical Center, To Any Service Member, Marine Corps Liaison Office, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889
– Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Attn: Red Cross/To Our Heroes, 6900 Georgia Ave., Washington, D.C. 20307