In honor of Veterans Day, more than 100 residents of Tempe's Friendship Village - many who are veterans themselves - are seeking the public's help in providing donations of everyday items for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Beginning at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, more than 100 residents of Friendship Village along with their families and friends will begin collecting donations of items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, sunscreen, wet wipes, candy, trail mix, crackers, decks of cards and more. People can bring donations to the Friendship Village Recreation Center, 2645 E. Southern Ave.
The event also will honor those who have served in every branch of the military with patriotic music being provided by Coast Guard veteran Bob Albrecht and Navy veteran John Kleinbach. Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action also will be remembered.
The event gives the opportunity for veterans to continue serving their country long after they are out of the military.
And, while the trend of donations for various organizations has dropped the last couple of years because of the economy, donations for the military have remained steady at Friendship Village for more than a decade, said Susan Vosdoganes, marketing director for the retirement community.
"Veterans Day always hits home with the community here since many of our residents are veterans themselves," Vosdoganes said. "When it comes to donations, they always go above and beyond. The veterans overseas need as many donations as they can get."
dragonwyk711 posted at 6:04 pm on Tue, Nov 9, 2010.
Oh Brother!!!!!!!!!!It never ends. An ADMIRAL in the 60's didn't make as much as an E-3 made then. These people are NOT POOR. Free giveaways for military families because they are defending BUSH"S OIL WELLS?
Give me a break!!!!!!!!
DrunkenMonkey posted at 7:04 am on Wed, Nov 10, 2010.
It's not about the money... it's about honoring those that are serving and have served our country. Not all veterans are in Iraq and Afghanistan or combat zones. Not all veterans are WW, Korean, or Vietnam vets, but all have served our country in some capacity.
Current service members are all are on call 24/7 to go into combat and/or defend our country. They are pulling duty in the heat and cold, when you and I are asleep in our nice warm beds. I've been there, and it's miserable, but I'm glad I did. My conscious is clear.
Veteran's day is about the recognition of those that have sacrificed for the benefit of the United States as members of service. It should not be cheapened. If you don't wish to celebrate, then fine, don't.
Don't let sour grapes ruin your taste for all food. Veteran's day is much more important than say...
New Year's day (just because it's the first day of the new year)
Martin Luther King, Jr' s Birthday (OK, he had a dream, but let's be real, we just celebrate it for political correctness)
Labor Day (what that really about? have you ever looked it up?)
It's sad to see people cheapen the real holidays such as Thanksgiving ( a day of thanks for all we have in our lives), Christmas (a day celebrated by Christians as the birth of Christ, and by others as a gathering of families for goodwill and spirit).