thedrifter
01-13-09, 06:25 AM
American Legion post says ‘thanks’ to troops
by JOHN CRAMER - Ravalli Republic
STEVENSVILLE - The U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are a world away from Ravalli County, but patriotism knows no distance for the American Legion, Fort Owen, Post 94, in Stevensville,
Since 2003, the post has given certificates of appreciation to about 60 servicemen and servicewomen who were home on leave in the Bitterroot Valley.
Many of the soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen have served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Stevensville post got the idea for the certificates of appreciation from the American Legion’s national headquarters.
“These certificates acknowledge the sacrifice these troops are making in fighting this war on terror,” said Jerry Esmay, Post 94’s commander.
The certificates are awarded during brief ceremonies at the Veterans Park in Stevensville. Post members wear vests, hats or jackets with an American Legion insignia.
The park has a “tribute wall” where the names of local troops who are known to have served in Iraq or Afghanistan are listed in white. Those who died in the wars are listed in red.
Post 94 gives out the certificates whenever it hears of a local serviceman or servicewoman who is home on leave. The certificates include a one-year membership in the post.
Esmay, an Army veteran who flew helicopters in the Vietnam War, said the troops appreciate the recognition.
“They may not say so, but you can tell by their reaction,” he said. “And it’s just as important for their families. It’s not unusual for their mothers to get tears in their eyes.”
The ceremonies have drawn anywhere from a handful to dozens of relatives and friends.
“We’d love to do it for every returning soldier, but we don’t always catch them” when they are home, said Kathy Frazier, president of the American Legion Auxiliary, Fort Owen, Unit 94.
At the ceremonies, Frazier briefly interviews the troops about their military experiences and sends stories to the local media in an effort to promote public awareness about the war effort.
Among those who received a certificate recently were Army Sgt. Steven Fike of Stevensville, a respiratory therapist; Korey McKinley and Robert Hoth III, both Navy 3rd Class Petty Officers from Stevensville; and Army Spec. Loren Benth, a military policewoman, and Army PFC 1st Class Christina Cain, who serves in Motor Transport.
In her story about Fike, Frazier wrote: “He would like to thank his hometown of Stevensville in particular for the care packages and letters. And especially Norma Morgan at Valley Drug Store who made a quilt for him that he hung on his wall over there. He mentioned, too, that he distributes toys to the kids in his medical care. His grandfather, Phil Bratton, said his family has six members currently serving.”
Frazier said she’s learned a lot from the troops.
“In the beginning, they said it was very scary. The roads could be easily bombed. These young men and women are doing their jobs under a great threat,” she said.
Esmay and Frazier said security and living conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan have improved greatly, but that the U.S. media only report “bad news” about the wars.
“A lot of stores have glass fronts now instead of metal,” she said. “People can buy more than just necessities. There are bridal shops open and candy shops. Kids are riding their bikes freely. Schools are no longer under threat of being bombed.”
U.S. troops have helped to restore electricity, water, sewer, television, radio and other public services, Esmay and Frazier said.
“It’s like a whole new world has been born over there,” she said.
Esmay said the public hasn’t “really seen the good side as much as they should have. Our troops tell us there’s been unbelievable change and progress.”
Post 94, along with dozens of other Bitterroot Valley organizations, sends gift packages to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The certificates and packages “are just something we do to show our appreciation,” said Frazier, whose father survived Pearl Harbor as a sailor in World War II and whose husband also is a Navy veteran.
Log on to RavalliRepublic.com to comment on this and other stories.
Reporter John Cramer can be reached at 363-3300 or jcramer@ravallirepublic.com.
Ellie
by JOHN CRAMER - Ravalli Republic
STEVENSVILLE - The U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are a world away from Ravalli County, but patriotism knows no distance for the American Legion, Fort Owen, Post 94, in Stevensville,
Since 2003, the post has given certificates of appreciation to about 60 servicemen and servicewomen who were home on leave in the Bitterroot Valley.
Many of the soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen have served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Stevensville post got the idea for the certificates of appreciation from the American Legion’s national headquarters.
“These certificates acknowledge the sacrifice these troops are making in fighting this war on terror,” said Jerry Esmay, Post 94’s commander.
The certificates are awarded during brief ceremonies at the Veterans Park in Stevensville. Post members wear vests, hats or jackets with an American Legion insignia.
The park has a “tribute wall” where the names of local troops who are known to have served in Iraq or Afghanistan are listed in white. Those who died in the wars are listed in red.
Post 94 gives out the certificates whenever it hears of a local serviceman or servicewoman who is home on leave. The certificates include a one-year membership in the post.
Esmay, an Army veteran who flew helicopters in the Vietnam War, said the troops appreciate the recognition.
“They may not say so, but you can tell by their reaction,” he said. “And it’s just as important for their families. It’s not unusual for their mothers to get tears in their eyes.”
The ceremonies have drawn anywhere from a handful to dozens of relatives and friends.
“We’d love to do it for every returning soldier, but we don’t always catch them” when they are home, said Kathy Frazier, president of the American Legion Auxiliary, Fort Owen, Unit 94.
At the ceremonies, Frazier briefly interviews the troops about their military experiences and sends stories to the local media in an effort to promote public awareness about the war effort.
Among those who received a certificate recently were Army Sgt. Steven Fike of Stevensville, a respiratory therapist; Korey McKinley and Robert Hoth III, both Navy 3rd Class Petty Officers from Stevensville; and Army Spec. Loren Benth, a military policewoman, and Army PFC 1st Class Christina Cain, who serves in Motor Transport.
In her story about Fike, Frazier wrote: “He would like to thank his hometown of Stevensville in particular for the care packages and letters. And especially Norma Morgan at Valley Drug Store who made a quilt for him that he hung on his wall over there. He mentioned, too, that he distributes toys to the kids in his medical care. His grandfather, Phil Bratton, said his family has six members currently serving.”
Frazier said she’s learned a lot from the troops.
“In the beginning, they said it was very scary. The roads could be easily bombed. These young men and women are doing their jobs under a great threat,” she said.
Esmay and Frazier said security and living conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan have improved greatly, but that the U.S. media only report “bad news” about the wars.
“A lot of stores have glass fronts now instead of metal,” she said. “People can buy more than just necessities. There are bridal shops open and candy shops. Kids are riding their bikes freely. Schools are no longer under threat of being bombed.”
U.S. troops have helped to restore electricity, water, sewer, television, radio and other public services, Esmay and Frazier said.
“It’s like a whole new world has been born over there,” she said.
Esmay said the public hasn’t “really seen the good side as much as they should have. Our troops tell us there’s been unbelievable change and progress.”
Post 94, along with dozens of other Bitterroot Valley organizations, sends gift packages to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The certificates and packages “are just something we do to show our appreciation,” said Frazier, whose father survived Pearl Harbor as a sailor in World War II and whose husband also is a Navy veteran.
Log on to RavalliRepublic.com to comment on this and other stories.
Reporter John Cramer can be reached at 363-3300 or jcramer@ravallirepublic.com.
Ellie