|
Troops Aren't Forgotten During Holiday Season
Town Launches Holiday Greeting Card Collection Drive
By Keith Hagarty
The holidays are a time to share with friends and family.
But for the hundreds of thousands of troops serving thousands of miles away from home, friends and family are a long way away. Sometimes, a simple message of holiday cheer can make a huge difference.
"My brother-in-law has been in Iraq since February, and this is his first Christmas spent over there, so we want him and everyone else over there to know they're always on our minds," resident Kathy Deihlson said as she dropped off five holiday greeting cards for the troops on Tuesday night.
Last week, the township announced the launching of a holiday greeting card collection drive for the troops serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Sometimes I think we forget, when we get all caught up around this time of the year, running around, shopping, decorating, whatever, that there's men and women who would give anything to be part of it all," Deihlson said. "I know it's not much, but even if some solider knows we care, and want to wish them a Merry Christmas. That's what the season's all about."
Residents are encouraged to drop off unaddressed holiday greeting cards in unsealed envelopes for the troops at the municipal building on Chambers Bridge Road, and other locations throughout the community.
"This is the sixth Christmas, holiday season that American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are spending in Afghanistan and Iraq away from their families and friends to defend our country's freedom and help the people of these countries," said Mayor Stephen Acropolis. "These cards will help to bring a little bit of holiday cheer to them, and remind them that they are in our thoughts and prayers."
While we may take mailboxes stuffed with holiday greeting cards for granted as a standard part of the Christmas season, Council President Michael Thulen said it's the little things that make such a big difference to the troops.
"We need to show our support for the troops and their families, and let them know that their hard work and sacrifices are appreciated," said Thulen. "A greeting card may seem like a simple gesture but for someone serving overseas far from home, it is a powerful message of support."
The idea for the township-wide holiday greeting card drive was inspired by Brick Township High School senior Stacy Speidel.
"We want our people overseas to feel the warmth in our hearts and the support that we have for them, especially those who don't have people back home writing to them," said Speidel, who is a cadet major in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
"I admire them and they are an inspiration to me as I pursue my own future Air Force career," Speidel said of the troops.
Cards will be collected at the municipal building and other locations around the community until Wednesday, December 19. The cards will then be packaged and shipped out to units of the U.S. Armed Forces currently serving in the Middle East. The cards will then be distributed by the units receiving them to their members. The township insists that individuals donating holiday cards do not have to affix postage, or address and seal the envelopes, as it will all be taken care of during the packaging process.
In addition, the municipal building, collection bins for the holiday cards can be found at the following locations: Jersey Shore Boy Scout Council, Toms River; St. Dominic's Church, Van Zile Road, Brick; and the Herbertsville First Aid building, Herbertsville Road, Brick
For more information, residents are asked to contact Township Archivist Bryan J. Dickerson at 732-262-1010.
| 
