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November 20, 2009

Make every day special for vets | Plenty of holiday initiatives target troops

Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat Fri Nov 20, 2009, 11:21 AM EST

With parades and ceremonies, we honored our nation’s military veterans on Nov. 11.

Newspapers wrote editorials extolling the virtues of their service. Television crews crossed the seas to report from battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Flags hung in store windows and flew from house porches.

We were proud of the Veterans Day parade through downtown Johnstown. The once-meager event has grown in recent years, and this year’s boasted numerous high school bands, veterans groups, local dignitaries, fire trucks and police cars, and military vehicles.

“The personal sacrifices these veterans have made inspire us all,” said Timothy Birtle, commander of the Pennsylvania Disabled American Veterans.

The parade was organized by the Conemaugh Valley Veterans.

“We are very proud to organize this parade and program to honor our veterans – past, present and future,” Chairman Ed Wojnaroski said. “May we never, and I mean never, forget them.”

We wholeheartedly agree.

The region offered a strong display of support for our service personnel, both current and past.

But it shouldn’t be restricted to a few veterans holidays each year, including on Nov. 11.

We should strive to support our troops and honor our veterans every day.

Keep those flags flying.

When you see someone in military uniform, tell that person thanks for his or her service.

Various groups are sponsoring efforts to send holiday messages to our troops overseas. Please consider getting involved with such a program.

The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. are working together to again offer the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Last year, more than 1.4 million cards were sent to military men and women, their families and veterans through the effort.

You can mail cards to: Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456.

Cards must be received no later than Dec. 7.

You can also get involved online through Facebook (www.facebook.com/red- cross) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/redcross and #holidaymail).

“The men and women who serve our country in uniform deserve our thanks every single day, and sending just one card is all it takes to make a difference in the life of one of our nation’s heroes,” Jon Love, President of Pitney Bowes Government Solutions, said in a news release.

Locally, many groups will be offering special programs during the holidays.

One example: Hindman Funeral Homes and Crematory Inc. is participating in the Christmas Stockings for Soldiers initiative.

Through Nov. 30, you can pick up a Christmas stocking at the funeral home, on Frankstown Road near Johnstown. You can fill a stocking with holiday cheer, and return it to the funeral home by Dec. 1.

It will then be shipped to troops overseas.

“This is a great way for us to show our support for the troops, while giving them a little taste of home for the holidays,” funeral home owner Bill Hindman said.

If your church, company or organization is doing something special for this holiday season for veterans or troops, let The Tribune-Democrat know. We’ll help spread the word.

And let’s make sure to show our appreciation all year long to these brave Americans for their sacrifice and dedication.

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