Story by the Forney Messenger

“Letters Home,” a locally-based project to enable U. S. troops stationed overseas to send birthday or other special cards to members of their families, will kick off in Forney Sunday, June 28.

The kickoff is open to the public and will take place between 1:00 p. m. and 5:00 p. m. at the Forney VFW hall located at 13300 FM 1641, next to the Country Smokehouse. There will be room for up to 80 people, according to project founder Diane Brush.

“I have wanted to get a project like this going for a few years now, Ms. Brush said. “I was really motivated on Memorial Day weekend when the thought came to me about asking the VFW if we could use their location. Everything has really come together since they thought it was a great idea too. I really wanted to see the Forney VFW involved in supporting our troops!

“There are two things that I am very passionate about . . . Scrapbooking and soldiers!” Ms. Brush explained. “First, I am a scrapbooker that should probably seek medical attention for my addiction! I love to catalog my family and the special events and times in our lives! I started selling scrapbooking and stamping as an independent consultant to support my own habit! My camera is always with me to take those everyday moments pictures so I can scrapbook them forever.

“Secondly, and most importantly, I have a very deep passion about our country and the brave men and women who volunteered to serve in the line of duty. I am an Army wife and always will be. I am very proud to call myself the wife of a retired Army Sgt. First Class! My husband served for 23 years. He concluded his service in 2004, serving in many conflicts from Grenada to Iraqi Freedom. Our daughter was born when he was deployed to Iraq in 2003. I have a deep burning passion to make sure our troops know we still stand behind them—no matter what your feelings might be on the war. It is important to know and to understand the sacrifices these men and women make on a daily basis and to never forget.

“With these two things being at the core of my heart, there had to be a way to meld them! I saw a story on the news a long time ago about a program where people were making cards for the troops to tell them thank you. We have all seen the articles and stories about the school kids sending cards too. I wondered if there was anyone making cards for the troops to send home though, you know, for anniversaries, birthdays, or just because I miss you. I know most letters I got from my husband were on red, white, and blue paper provided to them. I knew cards would be a real luxury in the fields—not likely to be found at the PX or BX trailer! I did a little research and I found CardsForHeroes.org. They are exactly what I wanted to do!”

Those attending the June 28 kickoff will be making blank handmade cards to be shipped to troops so they, in turn, can send a special birthday card to their son or daughter, a “Happy Anniversary” card to their wife, or just a card to Mom or Dad to say “Hello, I’m OK.”

“We are asking that anyone who likes paper crafting, scrapbooking, or who just wants to come out to support this great cause, come join us for a Free Card Making Crop,” Ms. Brush said. “Please bring your own supplies. We plan to have some papers and some supplies but we really need everyone to bring at least scissors, adhesive, and rulers. This is a great way to clean out old supplies and be ‘green’ by using old scraps and old stickers. Cards are simple to make and anyone can make one!

“It is positively okay to pre-make cards and bring them as well,” Ms. Brush said. “The preferred card size is 4 ¼ x 5 ½, which is exactly an 8 ½ x 11 paper cut in half. Please make sure that the cards have a light colored card base since many soldiers will only have a pencil to write with. Multiples of the same cards are a great way to get a lot of cards done!

“Please contact me at 214-796-4572 for more information or to RSVP. Please RSVP as we are already getting a good response. We will take donations to help with the shipping costs.

Ms. Brush added, “The VFW also would like to welcome any qualifying veterans to please stop by and ask about membership. Membership is only $25 a year and a great way for veterans to come together in the community. I pledged to help see an increase in the Forney VFW membership and make the community more aware of the veterans who walk among us every day silently but proudly. Thank God for our men and women who have gone before and who serve today to give us the opportunity to live in the best country in world!”

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This story and any accompanying photo(s) were originally published in the Forney Messenger and are Copyright © 2009, Forney Messenger, Inc. and have been used by permission. The Forney Messenger is the publisher of Kaufman County’s oldest newspaper and may be found online at www.ForneyMessengerInc.com