Carefree Truth

Issue #203, November 23, 2012

 

 

 

M.C. Ted Dimon said Packages From Home, a non-profit organization, is "dedicated to our servicemen overseas, helping to enhance their connection with home during their tours of duty." He introduced Board member Susan Haines, who thanked Arthur Gimson and the Town of Carefree for including Packages From Home in the Salute To Veterans event once again.

 

 

 

She explained that the program began in 2004, when their founder's son was deployed to Iraq, after enlisting on September 12, 2001. She learned that some of the troops in his platoon were not receiving anything from home. She found that unacceptable and began the project. It started in her garage with the help of a few neighbors, shipping a couple of packages a month. In 2006-07, they shipped over 15,000 packages. It has now dropped off somewhat, due to the economy, but they are still sending boxes to the troops in Afghanistan and will continue to do so until all are back home.

 

 

 

There are 3 different types of packages: hygiene, food, and recreation. Most items are donated at their 75 drop-off sites throughout the Valley. Cash donations are solicited at events such as this, and are used to pay shipping costs. They get no help from the military, the Post Office, or the government. All donations are tax deductible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW-xdlL073g.

 

 

 

They had a table at the event, but for those of you who were unable to attend and are interested in participating, I did a web search:

Web Results

1. •Packages From Home -- Supporting the Troops by Sending Care ...
   www.packagesfromhome.org/ - Similarto Packages From Home -- Supporting the Troops by Sending Care ...
   The mission of Packages From Home is to send care and comfort packages to deployed American military heroes who ... Suite 50, Phoenix, AZ 85007 | Email ...
   

2. •Phoenix
   

3. •Contact Us
   

4. •Drop Off Locations
   

5. •Things to Donate
   

6. •Ways to Donate
   

7. •Packing Parties
   

8. •
   

 

 

Don Morosic's Main Event Band played songs ranging through the WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam eras. On several occasions, a WWII vet sitting in the front row got up and danced. In the YouTube below, a couple of the girls from Cactus Shadows High School joined him. This gentleman really had the moves! He and the girls had a ball. It's a very fun YouTube. They were dancing to the song "Johnny Be Good", from the 1950's. The Main Event Band's lead singers were Beanie Bonano and our own Carefree resident, Kevin Glenn. There are some fun photos in the slide show link at the end of this issue of Kevin making James Brown "his own", singing "I Feel Good!" More fun stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYiT9ew_4Bs

 

 

 

Arthur Gimson described the origin of bugle calls in the 17th century and told us about their history. Don Morosic provided the Grand Finale by playing the British bugle call "The Last Post", and the American bugle call "Taps". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oawwstAHdc8

 

 

 

My husband Herbert took a number of still photos, and created this slide show, which is on our Gardens website. Enjoy.

http://www.carefree-desert-gardens.com/Carefree_Desert_Gardens/11-11-12_Salute_to_Veterans.html

 

 

 

Many thanks to prior Councilwoman Susan Vanik, who organized the first couple Carefree Salute to Veterans annual events, to current Councilman Arthur Gimson who has carried on this tradition, to this year's M.C. Ted Dimon, and to everyone who participated. The 2012 Carefree Salute to Veterans was an amazing event. Congratulations!

 

 

 

Herbert and I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much for which to be thankful.

 

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude."

Novelist Cynthia Ozick

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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