thedrifter
04-07-07, 11:06 AM
League raising funds to help protect soldiers
By: GAIL CRUTCHFIELD, Community News Editor
April 07, 2007
They are still being tested, but as soon as the Department of Defense gives a green light for troops to use Dragon Skin body armor, the Sevier County Marine Corps League, Detachment 1206, wants to send a at least a dozen units to Marines in the battalion they've adopted.
To do so, the league will be hosting fun-raisers today at Wal-Mart and Saturday at Scenic Helicopter Tours on U.S. 66. To buy 12 body armor units, the league will need to raise $26,000.
Rick Leone, commandant of the Sevier County League, said the Dragon Skin body armor is currently being tested by the Department of Defense. From what he's seen so far in its testing, Leone said the armor appears to be better than what service members are using now.
"It stops more shrapnel, it's easier to use, not as cumbersome as what's being used today and gives soldiers and Marines more agility," Leone said.
While the focus of the two days of fundraisers will be to provide money for the body armor, the league will also be collecting money and supplies for service members deployed overseas
"We're focusing on things that are going to help the deployed Marines and soldiers that are already in Iraq," Leone said. "Simple things we'll be getting like toilet paper and Skin So Soft."
While it's easier to collect money and buy in bulk, Leone said the league would not turn down donations of such items.
"We'll take anything anyone wants to send to the troops," he said. "Whatever we get, we'll get to the right people."
Other charitable efforts of the league include the annual Toys For Tots drive, which helped 6,000 children in 2006, Leone said, 2,000 of whom were from Sevier County. The league projects 9,000 children will be assisted this year.
The league also assists Tennessee Helping Hearts, Marines For Life program, disabled children's programs and the Children's Hospital.
The fundraisers will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, with hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, drinks and baked goods available for donations.
Leone said the league, in existence for about three years, plans to be a visible presence in the community. It has 38 members who meet at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at its headquarters, 902 Wears Valley Road.
The league is open to honorably discharged Marines or fleet corpsmen. Those with deep ties to the Marine Corps may join as associate members, Leone said.
Ellie
By: GAIL CRUTCHFIELD, Community News Editor
April 07, 2007
They are still being tested, but as soon as the Department of Defense gives a green light for troops to use Dragon Skin body armor, the Sevier County Marine Corps League, Detachment 1206, wants to send a at least a dozen units to Marines in the battalion they've adopted.
To do so, the league will be hosting fun-raisers today at Wal-Mart and Saturday at Scenic Helicopter Tours on U.S. 66. To buy 12 body armor units, the league will need to raise $26,000.
Rick Leone, commandant of the Sevier County League, said the Dragon Skin body armor is currently being tested by the Department of Defense. From what he's seen so far in its testing, Leone said the armor appears to be better than what service members are using now.
"It stops more shrapnel, it's easier to use, not as cumbersome as what's being used today and gives soldiers and Marines more agility," Leone said.
While the focus of the two days of fundraisers will be to provide money for the body armor, the league will also be collecting money and supplies for service members deployed overseas
"We're focusing on things that are going to help the deployed Marines and soldiers that are already in Iraq," Leone said. "Simple things we'll be getting like toilet paper and Skin So Soft."
While it's easier to collect money and buy in bulk, Leone said the league would not turn down donations of such items.
"We'll take anything anyone wants to send to the troops," he said. "Whatever we get, we'll get to the right people."
Other charitable efforts of the league include the annual Toys For Tots drive, which helped 6,000 children in 2006, Leone said, 2,000 of whom were from Sevier County. The league projects 9,000 children will be assisted this year.
The league also assists Tennessee Helping Hearts, Marines For Life program, disabled children's programs and the Children's Hospital.
The fundraisers will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, with hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, drinks and baked goods available for donations.
Leone said the league, in existence for about three years, plans to be a visible presence in the community. It has 38 members who meet at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at its headquarters, 902 Wears Valley Road.
The league is open to honorably discharged Marines or fleet corpsmen. Those with deep ties to the Marine Corps may join as associate members, Leone said.
Ellie