AaSP on Fox & Friends, Thursday, 12 January 2012
On Thursday, 12 January, Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon President Alan Krutchkoff and Treasurer Allan Virginia were joined by Washington Redskins Cheerleaders Dawn Berkheiser, Toccara Hilliard and Jessica Chan and US Air Force Colonel Ralph Romine on the set of Fox & Friends to talk about their trip to Kuwait in December.
The AaSP Military Appreciation Tour - Kuwait 2011 - reached Kuwait on 15 December, 2011, and was in country on 19 December 2011 when US Operations in Iraq officially ended. The Tour was able to meet/greet Warriors coming home from Iraq and entertained them as well.
Fox & Friends heard about the Tour and invited the team to the show on Thursday morning. In the studio, they were also able to meet US Senator John McCain and former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani. It was very exciting to meet these great American heroes.
For clip of on-air show click here.
Click here for link to mention on the Washington Post.
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| Pasta Dinner Collects over $3000 for our Troops!
A pasta dinner at the Fair Lawn American Legion Hall #171 raised over $3,000 for Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon and the Troops! Former Mayor Joe Tedeschi and Legion Commander Albee Palmieri teamed up to cook a meal for over 180 people and dignitaries. For more info, click here.
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| American Flag flown over Kabul Int'l Airport presented to Unilever in Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Aug 17, 2011 -- Thanks from a grateful unit was sent to Unilever in the form of an American Flag flown over Kabul Int'l Airport on 5 June 2011. The 438th AEW, a US Air Force Training Unit, had recently lost eight Airmen and one American Contractor to a terrorist's bullets on 27 April. Unilever and Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon had been very supportive of the unit and as a thank you, a large American flag was flown for them. AaSP President Alan Krutchkoff delivered the flag (pictured are Maurice Segar, L, Chief of Security; and Michael Faherty, R, one of the Marketing VPs at Unilever's headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, NJ).
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| Bergen County (NJ) Sheriff's Office Starts Drive to Support a NJ ARNG unit in AFG, as well as two units from the famed 10th MTN Div
Officers and Cadets from BCSO’s Youth Law Enforcement Leadership Academy will sponsor a collection drive to benefit soldiers of the New Jersey National Guard’s 2-113th Infantry – SECFOR Platoon, whose 42 soldiers deployed to Afghanistan in late March. Donated goods will also go to two units of the 10th Mountain Division in Southern Afghanistan, which also recently deployed and consists of more than 300 soldiers.
CLICK HERE to read official press release.
CLICK HERE TO visit Bergen County Sheriff's Office page on our site.
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| AaSP supplies clothing to Afghan Refugee Camp
August 2011 -- We
have been supporting Afghan children and families for years through our
Operation Children Care. Recently, we received boxes of clothes from a
Fair Lawn, NJ, family who had a garage sale. The clothes were shipped to
AFG to one of our units under TF Scorpion (SFC Chris B) and the
resulting distribution made the news. Here is a link to the story. CLICK HERE. for the story itself.
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| On December 16, 2010, Fair Lawn, NJ, Mayor Joseph Tedeschi and American Legion Commander Albee Palmieri held a pasta dinner for Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon and our troops. The dinner raised nearly $2300, which will be used for mobile exercise gear for the 8th Marines going to AFG shortly. Pictured are (L to R) Krutchkoff, Mr. Mayor and Deputy Mayor Steve Weinstein. Krutchkoff presented the Mayor and Albee each with a bottle of "Tedeschi" wine and a t-shirt from AaSP's X Bowl in AFG. |
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On November 22, 2010, Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon President Alan Krutchkoff and five Washington Redskins Cheerleaders visited the national cable show Fox & Friends to discuss their recent trip to Afghanistan. You can see the segment by CLICKING HERE.
After being on the show with anchor Brian Kilmeade, they went upstairs and were on Brian's radio show. CLICK HERE to see AND hear
For more information on the trip to Afghanistan, CLICK HERE.
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| State of New Jersey Commendation Medal Awarded to AaSP President Alan Krutchkoff
September 12, 2010
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Sea Girt, NJ --- At the New Jersey National Guard's 25th Annual Miitary Review at the National Guard Training Center, Gov. Chris Christie and MG Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General, presented The State of New Jersey Commendation Medal to 12 NJ citizens, including: AaSP President Alan Krutchkoff; 2/113th FRG Dir Lorrayne Mercier-Robertson; Rick Brody, NJ State Coordinator for Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. and The Veterans Coalition; and Joe Klecko, #73, famed lineman for the NY Jets.
Krutchkoff accepted the award in behalf of all the Special Friends, Benefactors, Supporters and Core Team of Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon. The Citation reads: For meritorious service in support of soldiers and family members of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during and after their deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Krutchkoff's knowledge and dedication to selfless service has contributed greatly to the success of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His actions reflect great credit upon himself, the Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon and the great State of New Jersey. Signed Major General Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General
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| KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept 11, 2010) U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, Commander, International Security Assistance Force, receives a commemorative rock inscribed with "United We Stand, Shanksville, PA, 09-11-01". The rock was presented by U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Scot Cregan on behalf of Mr. Alan Krutchkoff, the president and founder of the Adopt-A-Soldier Platoon, a non-profit charity that is dedicated to improving the morale of American troops in harm's way. Mr. Krutchkoff obtained the rock near the crash site of United Air Lines Flight 93 in Shanksville, PA to raise money for a memorial there. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lorie Jewell) (Released). |
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Fleet Week New York 2010
Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon Boards USS Iwo Jima in Norfolk for embark; AaSP Gives Away Xbox 360 Baseball games at CitiField
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The Ellis Island Medals of Honor
Presented Saturday, May 8, 2010, to Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon's President Alan Krutchkoff for the exceptional work of AaSP
In a dramatic, pageant-filled ceremony at the famed U.S. historic landmark Ellis Island, Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon was honored for its work to improve the morale of United States troops. For over seven years, AaSP has been supporting America's bravest in harm's way. Features during the ceremony included a special presentation from the Choir of the 82nd Airborne from Fort Bragg, NC.
Currently, AaSP takes care of two very large units: the 2nd Marine Regiment (~3,000 Marines) and the 3/7 Marines (~1,500 Marines), both in Afghanistan. Additionally, AaSP enables programs to help children in Iraq and Afghanistan, wounded warriors at Walter Reed AMC and Landstuhl European Medical Center and currently has over 100 adoptees and their units in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. It is an honor for Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon to be awarded this very prestigious medal from the NECO.
From the NECO Medalist Passport: "The prestigious Ellis Island Medals of Honor are awarded annually to a group of distinguished American citizens. Each must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
EXEMPLIFIES a life dedicated to community service.
PRESERVES and celebrates history, traditions and values of his/her ancestry group(s).
DEDICATES himself/herself to support and defend the values of American life.
BUILDS bridges between ethnic, racial, and religious groups in the U.S. and/or abroad.
SHARE his or her personal and professional gifts for the benefit of humanity.
Thanks to Marvin Scott, senior correspondent for WPIX-TV in New York City, NECO Chairman Nasser J. Kazeminy and the NECO Board for this very special honor.
(Click www.neco.org) for more info. View pictures below and the official press release from NECO will be posted when available.)
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| SPC Walter L. and the Ladies! (CLIC on pic.) |
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| Operation Teddy Bear
Washington Redskins Cheerleaders join AaSP to bring joy and Teddy Bears to the Walter Reed AMC on Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Our wounded warriors show incredible courage, determination and spirit. One of them, SPC Walter L of the 4th ID, asked for some special teddy bears for his buddies returning home from AFG. We brought bears and we brought Redskins (Cheerleaders, that is!) CLICK on picture on left for more info and view video below with a shout out from the Cheerleaders!
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| Photo by Carmine Galasso, The Record |
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| "Sending what soldiers want," by Harvy Lipman
The Record, April 26, 2010
Nice story on Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon. CLICK HERE to read on NorthJersey.com.
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| The send off event for the TV was attended by Dennis and Marion Zilinski and other dignitaries. |
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Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon partners with Zilinski Foundation and DHL to furnish Day Room for Role 3 MMU hospital in Kandahar, AFG
April 16, 2010 -- Thanks to an extremely generous grant from the LT Dennis W Zilinski II Foundation, Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon was able to furnish a newly-built military hospital in Kandahar with a wide-screen, hi-def TV, Xbox 360s and Wii game systems and games, notebook computers, DVD players, PSP hand held game systems and other amenities designed to provide recreation and stress relief to the medical, security and logistical staff at the hospital and its patients.
For more info on Day Room project and to view a video of the event, CLICK HERE.
For official press release from Zilinski Foundation CLICK HERE.
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LTG William N. Phillips Promotion Ceremony
Pentagon, Washington, DC, February 19, 2010 GEN George W. Casey, Jr. US Army Chief of Staff, presiding
Congratulations to LTG Phillips, who was promoted on Friday, Feb 19, to three stars! Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon supported him during his recent deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is an extraordinary leader and terrific friend to AaSP. We wish him all the success and good fortune in his new role. We were honored to have a representative at your promotion ceremony. Thank you! Way to go General!
View the short clips below announcing the promotion order and showing GEN Casey and Mrs. Phillips putting on his new shoulder boards. The clip below that shows the General's nephew replacing his two stars on his ACU jacket.
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The U.S.S. New York Arrives in NYC Harbor
November 2, 2009 --- Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon President Alan Krutchkoff had the privilege and honor to be aboard Pilot Boat 1 as she escorted the U.S.S. New York into New York City harbor for the first time on her way to a week long visit and her commissioning as a U.S. Navy warship. Thanks to NYC Harbor Pilot John Bates, Krutchkoff was able to shoot video from the deck of PB1 as the majestic U.S.S. New York steamed into the harbor on her way to berthing next to the U.S.S. Intrepid Museum in the Hudson River. For a closer look at the U.S.S. New York on this historic occasion view the video and slide show below. Thanks JB!
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| Katrina S. and MSG Brian T. chat after the ceremony. Patriot award for AaSP rests against the table on the left. |
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Welcome Home Freedom Salute
81st BSTB WA ARNG
October 17, 2009
Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon was one of two organizations honored at the 81st BSTB's Welcome Home Freedom Salute in Washington State on Saturday. Representing AaSP was Special Friend Katrina Strafford from Microsoft Xbox, a long-time supporter of AaSP's programs and our troops in the Middle East. Kat accepted a lovely award in our behalf and met our adoptee MSG Brian T. AaSP had supported MSG T. for three tours in Iraq. Thanks to the 81st BSTB leadership for the honor, thanks to the unit for their exemplary service to our nation and thanks Kat and Steve for taking the time and making the trip to represent our organization!
Pictures from the event, as well as videos, are available on the Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon's fan page on facebook.
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| On Saturday, Aug 2, 2009, UNICO National, the nation's largest Italian-American service organization, bestowed upon Alan Krutchkoff and Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon the prestigious Philip Mazzei Grand Patriot of Americanism Award. Pictured holding the award are Krutchkoff (L) and Frank Tidona, Past National President, and some members of the Rutherford, NJ, UNICO chapter which nominated Krutchkoff and AaSP for the award. |
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UNICO National Presents Grand Patriot Award to AaSP President Alan Krutchkoff
Lake Las Vegas, NV, August 2, 2009 -- UNICO National, the nation's largest Italian-American service organization, named Alan Krutchkoff, President of the Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon, its Philip Mazzei Grand Patriot of Americanism for 2009 at its annual convention. The award is named after Dr. Filippo Mazzei, who was a confidant to Thomas Jefferson and is given in recognition of fostering freedom and good will to mankind.
"All men are by nature created free and independent," said Dr. Mazzei. "Such quality is necessary in order to create a free government. It is necessary that all men be equal to each other in natural law. A true Republican government cannot exist unless all men from the richest to the poorest are perfectly equal in their normal rights."
Dr. Mazzei was one of the unsung heroes of the struggle for independence of the United States. It was written in Italian, translated into English by Thomas Jefferson and published in Pinckney's 'Virginia Gazette' in 1774. It is part of the greatest document ever written - the Declaration of Independence. Dr. Mazzei also had a share in securing France's military and financial assistance during the Revolution and enlisted in the Revolutionary Army. In 1779, he went to Europe as agent for the colonies and served until 1783.
"UNICO National is a tremendously compassionate, caring and generous organization, and its motto says it all -- Service Above Self," said Krutchkoff. "Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon is grateful for this important recognition and honored to be named alongside previous Grand Patriot winners, such as Pres. George W. Bush, Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Hon. William J. Pascrell, Jr., Gen Anthony C. Zinni and Maj. Gen. Patrick P. Caruana."
Krutchkoff continued, "I drive the bus. It's a huge team effort to support the brave men and women of American's armed forces in harm's way and it's an honor, a privilege and an enormous challenge to keep that machine going - and growing. It's certainly the most important thing I've done in my life. Knowing we are helping our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines deal with the stress of war -- even a little bit -- is incredibly rewarding."
Krutchkoff was nominated by Frank Tidona of Rutherford, NJ, and Past National President of UNICO National. He is also chairman of UNICO's Americanism committee.
"We are so impressed with the very important work that Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon does," said Tidona. "We are proud that UNICO recognized and honored your efforts."
Several of the local chapters contributed to Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon at the convention and even more have shown interest in helping with AaSP programs in the future.
"It was wonderful exposure for our programs," said Krutchkoff. "We look forward to working with this great organization in the future."
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I-Roq Baghdad makes Seattle TV
Microsoft's Larry Hryb and Craig Mathewson travelled to Baghdad to document I-Roq Baghdad. Well it made King5 TV in Seattle. CLICK HERE TO VIEW.
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| Making of American Anthem / Song for a Soldier
by Cookiehead
Click here to read the June 15, 2009, news release of how Cookiehead got involved with Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon and the Story of the creation of American Anthem / Song for a Soldier for I-Roq Baghdad on June 14, 2009.
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AaSP on Talk Radio (6-8-09)
Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon President Alan Krutchkoff talked with Trenton, NJ, 101.5 radio host Dino Flammia about the NJ ARNG soldiers coming home and AaSP's support of the troops.
CLICK HERE to listen to the short piece.
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| On Friday, October 10, 2008, the trustees of Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon were honored by the U.S. Army with the Freedom Team Salute award. Pictured here are: BG William N. Phillips, Commanding General, Picatinny Arsenal; H. Allan Virginia, AaSP Treasurer; BG Frank W. Dulfer, Deputy Commander, Joint Forces HQ - NJ; and Alan Krutchkoff, AaSP President. Not pictured are Vice Presidents Holmes Brady and Lara Spina, who were also honored with awards. (Click on image to read press release.) |
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| Twin-Boro Shopper
(serving Bergenfield, Dumont and New Milford, NJ)
"New Jersey Guard troops get gifts," by Steve Kelman 9-10-08
To read the article that describes Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon activities for New Jersey's 50th IBCT, click on thumbnail at left to enlarge.
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| Sept. 7, 2008: NY Post (p78) features AaSP's support of Mets player's brother. (Click on image to open an easier-to-read PDF file of this article.) |
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New Jersey Credit Union League Donates Pillows to NJ Army National Guard
September 7, 2008 -- CLICK HERE to read the press release from NJ Credit Union League about their tremendous donation of comfy flight pillows to the NJ Army National Guard prior to their deployment to Iraq. The NJCUL custom-ordered 4,000 pillows. The balance of the pillows were shipped to some of the military hospitals AaSP supports.
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Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon joins America Supports You Network
August 22, 2008 -- CLICK HERE to view the joint press release from AaSP and the U.S. Defense Department's organization that has more than 300 charity organizations supporting the troops.
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| Soldiers Rock for I-Roq, XBox
Story on Inside MSN.Com / posted May 2, 2008
On Friday, May 2, 2008, Inside MSN.Com posted a story on the I-Roq Band Tournament, launched by XBox, MTV Games and Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon at Camp Anaconda on March 28, 2008. To read the story CLICK HERE.
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| Read a story on the I-Roq Band Tournament of March 28, 2008, in the April 9 issue of The "Anaconda Times," the official newspaper of LSA Anaconda, the largest American base in Iraq. Other issues of "Anaconda Times" may be viewed or downloaded at: DVIDSHUB (Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System).
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Operation Scrubs 2008
For press release from Texas-based Decision Critical, CLICK HERE. For more info on project, CLICK HERE.
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| The Hon. Steven R. Rothman
(NJ-9th Dist.) Honors
Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon on the Floor of the U.S. Congress
Sept. 19, 2007 -- Congressman Rothman recognized the achievements of the Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon in a speech to the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday afternoon. Congressman Rothman touched on many of AaSP's successful projects, incl: Operation MWR, the Holiday DVD project, Operation Hearts and Minds, Wireless Internet for the 10th Combat Support Hospital and many others. For a copy of the speech, now a part of the Congressional Record, CLICK HERE.
To view and listen to "YouTube" low-resolution version of Congressman Rothman's speech, CLICK HERE.
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| CT Gov. M. Jodi Rell slips a campaign streamer on a Guide On to honor the 1st Bn, 102d Infantry during the Freedom Salute Ceremony at the Hartford Armory on Sunday, August 5, 2007. |
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Freedom Salute Ceremony to Honor the 1st Bn, 102d INF
Hartford Armory, Hartford, CT
August 5, 2007
Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007 -- The minute you arrived at the Hartford Armory in Hartford, CT, you were greeted with American flags carried by dozens of veterans and motorcycle riders. It was a bright and sunny day and the red, white and blue of our flags proclaimed it very special, indeed. Inside the Hartford Armory, soldiers from the great State of Connecticut, the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry of the CT Natl Guard were in formation. They were being honored for their missions of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban.
The dignitaries included CT Governor M. Jodi Rell and the CT Adjutant General, MG Thaddeus Martin.
Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon had supported the 102d by sending care cartons and Christmas gifts to several adoptees and, more importantly, had provided the 102d with over 600 blank DVDs and seven camcorders so the troops could make videos and send them home as part of AaSP's Operation Holiday DVD. For more pictures of the event, CLICK HERE.
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Lodi, NJ, Senior Citizens Club Donates to Soldiers
On Tuesday, July 24, 2007, the Lodi, NJ, seniors presented 30 bags of personal care products and snacks for AaSP's nurses and staff at the 31st CSH at the Theater Internment Facility in Baghdad. Read the Herald News story on the event on NorthJersey.com: http://northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk1MCZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NzE3MzYxNSZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTM=
Paragon Federal Credit Union Spring Fund Raisers
On Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at 9:00AM at its Montvale, NJ, headquarters, Paragon FCU presented AaSP with a check for an InFocus projector and other supplies that were shipped earlier to one of the units of the NJ Army National Guard that AaSP supports. Click Here for the Official Press Release
Red Hat Ladies Adopt Female Soldiers and Nurses
Article in Staten Island Advance, March 4, 2007
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| Super Bowl Party in Camp Anaconda
Article in the March/April 2007 issue of "What's in Store," the news magazine for the Bridgestone Firestone Retail and Commercial Operations. (click on image at left)
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AaSP Meets with Connecticut Adjutant General
They are our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers. When there is an emergency, we call them. A flood, a hurricane, a disaster. Now they're off to war for long stretches. It's a new, more difficult time for our National Guardsmen and women. And they need our support more than ever.
The 102nd Infantry Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard is fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. They are performing gallantly in austere and difficult conditions. We are grateful for their brave and heroic service to our Nation. And we are supporting them.
On Friday, December 15, 2006, representatives from the Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon met with the Connecticut Adjutant General, MG Thaddeus Martin, to discuss support of these troops. AaSP president, Alan Krutchkoff, and his wife Mary-Edna, met with MG Martin and also with Kim Hoffman, Director of Family Services, for the Guard.
It was very exciting to meet the commander of our "home unit," the 102nd Infantry Regiment. MG Martin is responsible for all the CT Natl Guard, both Army and Air Guard, as well as Homeland Security for the State of Connecticut. With more than 70 members living in Connecticut, it is important to our organization that we have a close link with the State's troops.
AaSP currently supports several adoptees in the 102nd Infantry Regiment of the CT Natl Guard. In addition, AaSP sent blank DVDs and camcorders to the 102nd as part of the Holiday 2006 DVD project. All 500 soldiers from the 102nd now stationed in Afghanistan will have the opportunity to make a DVD and send it home to their families.
We also discussed future projects, including forwarding school children's Valentine cards to the Guard in Afghanistan. We presented an AaSP patch to both MG Martin and Mrs. Hoffman.
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