thedrifter
01-15-09, 07:20 AM
Scout recognized for letter-writing project
By KIMI LILLIG - gurnee@lakecountyjournals.com
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GURNEE – Even though he is only 12 years old, Jason Redford has had a big impact on those who serve the United States.
Redford was honored by active Marines for the creation and successful continuation of Operation Talk to a Troop during a Cub Scout meeting at Woodland Middle School in Gurnee on Jan. 12.
Redford began Operation Talk to a Troop in 2006 so that students and community members could express their appreciation – through letters and letters and pictures – to active troops serving overseas.
“One night when we were driving to dinner, the news came on and the war was no longer the top story,” the Gurnee resident said. “I felt like people had begun to forget about our troops.”
With the sending of more than 2,800 letters, Redford has ensured that the Gurnee community has not forgotten about the men and women who are fighting overseas.
“The more letters we get, the more our troops smile,” said the Woodland Middle School sixth-grader.
Redford plans to send out letters until the last troops come home.
“Most soldiers don’t get letters, and when they do it helps them a lot and makes them happy,” Redford said. “Making the soldier’s happy is my main reason for doing this.”
Redford vows that as long as he has letters, they will be sent. Receiving letters, however, has sometimes been difficult for the student. Once the letters are written, the Redford family must read each letter for content, count each letter and mail it.
“Jason’s original plan was to make and sell tye-dye shirts to raise money for the troops, but we found that with the letters the soldiers are directly affected,” said Redford's mom, Caryn.
Cub Scout Pack 627, led by Cubmaster Ken Platt, wrote letters at the Jan. 12 meeting following a ceremony in which Marines presented Redford with a certificate and a Marine coin as a token of their thanks for his support, loyalty and patriotism. The scouts turned their letters in at end of meeting and had a uniform inspection by three visiting Marines from the 2nd Battalion 24th Marine Corps out of Chicago.
“We wanted to make the pack meetings less formal and more fun in order to get everyone, even the parents involved,” Platt said. “Our next meeting in February will feature the Great Lakes Navy Band.”
Want to send a letter?
Those who would like to send a letter through Operation Talk to a Troop can submit a letter expressing appreciation, without the mention of death or injuries to Jason Redford, Operation Talk to a Troop, PO Box 8166, Gurnee, IL 60031.
Ellie
By KIMI LILLIG - gurnee@lakecountyjournals.com
Comments (No comments posted.)
GURNEE – Even though he is only 12 years old, Jason Redford has had a big impact on those who serve the United States.
Redford was honored by active Marines for the creation and successful continuation of Operation Talk to a Troop during a Cub Scout meeting at Woodland Middle School in Gurnee on Jan. 12.
Redford began Operation Talk to a Troop in 2006 so that students and community members could express their appreciation – through letters and letters and pictures – to active troops serving overseas.
“One night when we were driving to dinner, the news came on and the war was no longer the top story,” the Gurnee resident said. “I felt like people had begun to forget about our troops.”
With the sending of more than 2,800 letters, Redford has ensured that the Gurnee community has not forgotten about the men and women who are fighting overseas.
“The more letters we get, the more our troops smile,” said the Woodland Middle School sixth-grader.
Redford plans to send out letters until the last troops come home.
“Most soldiers don’t get letters, and when they do it helps them a lot and makes them happy,” Redford said. “Making the soldier’s happy is my main reason for doing this.”
Redford vows that as long as he has letters, they will be sent. Receiving letters, however, has sometimes been difficult for the student. Once the letters are written, the Redford family must read each letter for content, count each letter and mail it.
“Jason’s original plan was to make and sell tye-dye shirts to raise money for the troops, but we found that with the letters the soldiers are directly affected,” said Redford's mom, Caryn.
Cub Scout Pack 627, led by Cubmaster Ken Platt, wrote letters at the Jan. 12 meeting following a ceremony in which Marines presented Redford with a certificate and a Marine coin as a token of their thanks for his support, loyalty and patriotism. The scouts turned their letters in at end of meeting and had a uniform inspection by three visiting Marines from the 2nd Battalion 24th Marine Corps out of Chicago.
“We wanted to make the pack meetings less formal and more fun in order to get everyone, even the parents involved,” Platt said. “Our next meeting in February will feature the Great Lakes Navy Band.”
Want to send a letter?
Those who would like to send a letter through Operation Talk to a Troop can submit a letter expressing appreciation, without the mention of death or injuries to Jason Redford, Operation Talk to a Troop, PO Box 8166, Gurnee, IL 60031.
Ellie