On Nov. 3 the Ferron Boy Scout Troop, in conjunction with their theme for the month, “Salute to our Heroes,” enjoyed a visit and presentation by Jan Hess. Hess is a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary unit 42 of Ferron. Hess talked to the scouts about the auxiliary’s Operation Home Support. She explained to the scouts how Operation Home Support came to be. Hess’s son Kelly, who was serving in the United States Army in Afghanistan loved getting care packages, but he told his mom he felt bad for the soldiers that never received any. Hess took this information of soldiers not getting letters or care packages to the auxiliary and they decided they wanted to do something about it. Kelly sent his mom a list of names and addresses of soldiers that he felt could be helped by the auxiliary. The Auxiliary women got busy doing fundraisers such as bake sales and yard sales and as money came in they were able to ship out their first Operation Home Support care packages in April of 2004.
The boy scouts listened with great interest as Hess told them about the care packages and showed them memorabilia, photos, and letters of thanks sent back to the ladies auxiliary.
She gave the scouts a list of items that can be put in the care packages such as toiletries, gum, candy, individual serving canned entrees, fleece blankets, gloves and hats. The boy scouts split into groups and wrote letters to three soldiers currently serving in a combat zone. They will also be gathering items to put into a care package for the three soldiers and then Operation Home Support will mail them out for the scouts.
The scouts enjoyed hearing about Operation Home Support. There letters and care packages are a great “Salute to our Heroes”
Operation Home Support sends out care packages for every holiday during the year and occasionaly a surprise package to each of the soldiers on their list who are on duty in a combat zone. Last Christmas our local soldiers accounted for 15 of the care packages they sent. They encourage all Emery County residents with loved ones (they do not need to be from Emery County) serving in a combat zone to contact the American Legion Ladies Auxilary of Ferron, Dixie Swasey, 384-3172 or Jan Hess, 384-2753.
Operation Home Support
"Jan Hess from the Ferron Ladies Auxiliary and Operation Home Support shows pictures and military items to the scouts from Ferron as they learn about the soldiers who receive care packages."