Mt. Vernon Register-News

Opinion

November 12, 2009

Our View: Help collect names of local soldiers

In each of the last few years, the Jefferson County Operation Iraqi Freedom Committee has collected monetary donations to purchase gift cards for county soldiers serving overseas during the holiday season. The program has been well-received by the soldiers and military alike.

This year, the committee has again worked diligently to raise funds for the gift cards. But now they need names of local soldiers who will spend the holidays in Iraq, Afghanistan or somewhere else far away from home. And committee members must rely on families of soldiers to identify them, as a privacy act prevents the committee from obtaining names through the military.

“We have 11 names, and we always plan to have at least 25,” said Joyce Poorman of the JCOIF Committee. “We know there are those out there who know of someone who is serving, but they need to let us know those names and addresses.”

Time is of the essence. The deadline to provide names and addresses is Sunday, leaving enough time for the purchase of the cards and delivery to the soldiers. So act quickly to get local soldiers these gift cards. For more information about JCOIF or to submit names and addresses of local soldiers who will be serving overseas during the holidays, contact Poorman at 735-2521 or committee members David Keen at 214-0054; Joan Mandrell at 735-2827; or Regina Hamilton at 316-1230.

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