Operation Crawford County

OPPCC COOKOUT
Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 4pm.
Robinson, Illinois VFW

We will be cooking ribeye steaks outside, serving and eating inside.

Afterwards we will have a short program.

Speakers for the evening will be:
Wanda James will speak as the parent of a troop who served. Ramona Knoblett will speak about her sons 3 deployment and all the problems they had with his wife and son being ill, dealing with the Red Cross, and OPCC helping out as well. And to let them know help is out there for them.

Tom Brown will be singing for your enjoyment.

Harold Shipman is to speak as an actual father who left his family and children to serve and the things he dealt with.

Madelyn Storckman will play patriotic music on the piano throughout dinner.

We will also take photos of each family standing behind the monument for them to send to their servicemen.

Dedicated To Those
Who Served
That We Might
Live In Freedom

Take time and visit the new memorial wall at the Robinson VFW.

OPCC/Ladies Auxiliary Receive Help from Wal Mart to Replace Courthouse Sign Members of Operation Crawford County and Ladies Auxiliary 4549 received $1000 from Wal Mart to help replace the "Crawford County Heroes" sign on the courthouse lawn.

The original sign, which was placed by OPCC a couple of years ago, was recently destroyed by high winds. The Ladies Auxiliary is joining with OPCC to help replace it.

According to Marsha Peters, the original sign was meant to be temporary. However, because the number of Crawford County veterans who are being deployed continues to increase, both the Ladies Auxiliary and OPCC felt that the sign should be made permanent. It honors all area veterans who have served or are currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Approximately $1500 in additional funding is needed to replace the sign, which will be updated to include the names of recently deployed soldiers. OPCC is seeking donations, and hopes to have the sign in place by July 4th.

Anyone who would like to contribute should make their check payable to "Operation Crawford County", and send it to: Marsha Peters, 1301 N. Walters Street, Robinson, IL 62454; or to: Jan Wagy, Aux. 4549 Treasurer, 712 E. Main St., Robinson.

click for a larger view

Old Sign

Shown in Photo: Marsha Peters, OPCC Representative; Edie Carter, Wal Mart Manager; and Jan Wagy, VFW Aux. 4549 Treasurer.

Dec. 17, 2006
I received the care package today that was sent by your organization. Thank you so much, everything in it is usefull here. I do have to admit that the most important items in the package to me is the cards and letters from the children of Crawford County. I would also like to thank the other businesses and individuals who sent me cards for the holidays. Being away from home for the holidays is hard, both on me and my family but the letters and cards from everyone back home makes it all worth while. Thank you for your support, care packages and your prayers. Please know that what you do for those of us that are deployed makes a big difference. Thank you again and Happy Holidays!

SSgt. Lynn A. Mieure, Kuwait

I am relaying a message to all of you from Dan McDonald, of our local Verizon Wireless/Radio Shack store.

He is offering to give each local soldier stationed in the Middle East a talking picture frame. There will be a date(s) set for each soldier's family to come in and have their picture taken for the frame and an opportunity to record a message to go along with the picture. Each frame and picture with message will be in a box which will be added to the Christmas boxes that Operation Crawford County will be sending out to the soliders near the end of November. He has a sample frame that I will bring Thursday when we are boxing packages, so you can see what it looks like.
He will be letting me know the date that you may go in to the store and have your picture taken and message recorded. Debbie Tedford

Heath Harvest Festival Parade

Photos of the 1544th arriving in Paris, IL
Thanks to Roger Eddy for taking these shots.

City prepares to welcome home 1544th soldiers

Red, white and blue to welcome soldiers

The magnets are here!

We have 3 types of the large size. Red White Blue stripe that says Support Our Troops, Red White Blue stripe with stars that says Freedom Isn't Free and the yellow that says Support Our Troops.

The large ones are $5 and the mini's are $2.50.

You can call 618- 544-8664 or 618-544-3910 or stop by the Commercium Building, Suite 235, on South Cross Street, Robinson, Illinois.

" Who's got your back? "

I am a small and precious child, my dad's been sent to fight...
The only place I'll see his face, is in my dreams at night.
He will be gone too many days for my young mind to keep track.
I may be sad, but I am proud. My daddy's got your back.

I am a caring mother. My son has gone to war...
My mind is filled with worries that I have never known before.
Everyday I try to keep my thoughts from turning black.
I may be scared, but I am proud. My son has got your back.

I am a strong and loving wife, with a husband soon to go.
There are times I'm terrified in a way most never know.
I bite my lip, and force a smile as I watch my husband pack...
My heart may break, but I am proud. My husband's got your back...

I am a soldier... Serving Proudly, standing tall.
I fight for freedom, yours and mine by answering this call.
I do my job while knowing, the thanks it sometimes lacks.
Say a prayer that I'll come home. It's me whose got your back.