Community pulls together for Operation Support'
By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
April 1, 2003
Several people and groups united Monday in "Operation Support," an effort to make sure support for military families is available and visible throughout the Iraq war.
The effort, announced at a news conference at the Doughboy Monument, includes a phone line provided by Cingular Wireless. The line will be manned by volunteers day and night.
Family members of activated military personnel can call 527-8686 if they need help. The number also can be used by anyone wanting to volunteer items or services for military families.
Charlie Geer, a relative of Greg Malta, a local attorney and a member of the 186th Air Refueling Wing, said the idea developed out of concern.
Reassuring effort
Malta, who attended the news conference and is on alert with the air refueling wing, said the project will take one more element of pressure off those in the service.
Community volunteers are needed to help man the phone line. Lou Pennebaker, founder of the Memory Tree Foundation, said volunteers will be trained to provide general information and get families help they need.
Support group meetings for families and friends of deployed troops also will be available. Microtel Inn &Suites on Bonita Lakes Drive will provide space for the meetings.
The hotel's meeting room will be available at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Operation Support organizers are looking for local therapists who will donate time for the support groups.
Yellow ribbons
Yellow ribbons also were handed out to people at the news conference so they could post them on mailboxes and front doors of homes or businesses as a show of support for the troops.
Pennebaker said her group made about 700 ribbons that are available through the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau office at 2118 Front St. They sell for $5 each.
Once the ribbons are paid for, she said the rest of the money earned will go to the American Red Cross.
The East Mississippi Business Development Corp. is compiling a list of businesses offering military discounts to all branches of service. Anyone with a business that offers discounts to military personnel and their families should call Suzie Sulkowski or Dorothy Allen at 693-1306.
