JANUARY 2009 - MSGFAC sent our 5,000th care package!!
"For those who serve, it is an honor. For their families, it is a sacrifice.
For those of us who benefit, it is our duty. Support our troops and their familes." {GBS Distributing}
Here in Alachua County, Florida, we are working to provide support for our military troops
and their families. Through this site we hope to keep our folks updated and provide others with encouragement to do something similar in their own communities.
Our NEXT MEETING is listed below. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at First
United Methodist Church in Alachua.
When it's your son, daughter, husband or wife wearing the uniform, it's not about politics - it's about
them. Thanks to all who support our loved ones and our group.
This great fundraiser is back! Our second cookbook is in the making. We need your contributions of recipes. We have a CookBook section, thanks to the handy work of Katy Snell.
SERVING GOD AND COUNTRY Contributed by Kay Quinn
Levitt enjoys both the structure and inspiration of a
career in the armed forces.
Second Lieutenant Marc Levitt can fire a tank with ease. He’s come a long way since he first enrolled in the ROTC program at the University of Florida in fall 2004. Similarly, Levitt is more relaxed today about sharing the Gospel, since taking part his outreach and evangelism training at Westside Baptist Church in Gainesville. For Levitt, now active-duty at Ft. Knox, Kentucky for Armor Corp training, skills comptency is vital, whether he's preparing for the battlefield or for Bible-based outreach.
Levitt (left) and Jameson Lopez ‘gear up’ in front of Army amored vehicles,
during their daily office-training regime.
While completing his political-science degree last fall, the 23-year-old native of Plantation, Florida enrolled in FAITH, the designated training class for those interested in reaching out to recent church visitors and guests. “I realized I would be leaving soon for active duty, and I wanted to be able to express my spiritual beliefs to those I might be leading, especially during wartime,” says Levitt. “I didn’t want them to face a life-threatening situation without being able to hear the Gospel.”
ART PINA COMPLETES A NEARLY 9,000 MILE RIDE IN SUPPORT OF THE TROOPS Contributed by Kay Quinn
One local
veteran recently returned from five weeks on the road, riding his motorcycle
8,800 miles cross-country from Florida to the
West Coast and back, to raise money for AlachuaCounty
veterans and related projects.
Art Pina,
a U.S. Army veteran, took off from the Gainesville-area Harley
Davidson dealership on May 2, on his annual trip to join thousands of other
'vets astride,' along with other military supporters, to benefit their
affiliated charitable groups.
In his five
weeks on the road, Pina visited numerous veteran's hospitals, vet memorials,
veteran's group meetings, and more. His cross-country journey to the West Coast
and then up north took him thru New Orleans, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona,
California, Tennessee, Mississippi, Virginia, and other states.
Once in California, Pina joined
up with 850 other bikers from across the nation to comprise the Southern route
of this year's Run For The Wall event, taking participating riders
cross-country, back to D.C. in 10 days.
There, Pina
was one of about 400,000 riders who took part in this year's Rolling Thunder,
an annual motorcycle rally held in the capitol during Memorial Day weekend to
call for the government's ongoing recognition and protection of Prisoners of War (POWs) and
those Missing In Action (MIAs). About 400,000 veterans roared across Washington, DC
on their highly visible motorcycles, as a tribute to American war heroes.
Upon his
return, Pina shared that the nearly 9,000 miles, traveling in everything from
deluges to debilitating heat, "was nothing compared to what our soldiers
have and still go through, to protect our country. I'd do it again tomorrow. I
ride each year for those who can't, including POWs, disabled vets, and
others."
Unbelievably,
the logistical 'footprint' of the Run For The Wall group
occupied five miles of Interstate or local highways. In some
locations, including as they crossed into Mississippi, state trooper and other
law enforcement agencies closed off the interstate exit/entrance ramps,
saluting the riders while standing at their flashing patrol cars, in honor of
the riders' cause.
The folks at Streits Motorsports are at it again. For the 6th year in a row, the annual SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ride brought riders from all around in supporting the mission of the Military Support Group. The ride was Sunday, May 3rd at the Recreation Park in Alachua. We will post more info when we have it about how this fundraiser went.
APRIL 4TH YARD SALE RAISED OVER $4,000.00 FOR THE TROOPS!
The Military Support Group held the long-awaited yard sale on Saturday, April 4th. It was held on the property of Bush Auto Repair on 441 and was our largest yard sale to date. With the help of our dedicated volunteers, our collection of donated items for sale was large and we sold most of it, thanks to the patriotic community that helped themselves as they helped to support our troops. The event yielded over $4,300.00. All
of that money will be spent directly on our troops. Many thanks to those who worked the event on behalf of our group and your Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guard. Job well done.
EMAIL FROM IRAQ
We receive letters and emails that express gratitude for our mission. We recently received an email that demonstrates what so much of our correspondence says, as well as affirming how our efforts positively impact troops on the ground in Iraq. Read the email from Major McDannold, USAF.
2009 VETERAN AWARDS BANQUET - JANUARY 31ST
The 2009 Veteran Awards Banquet was held on January 31 at the Clarion Conference Center. With close to 300 in attendance, our group was one of the best represented organizations there. Art Pina was recognized as our nominee for Veteran of the Year for his achievements.
Our own JIM BRINKMAN was awarded SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR, mainly due to his golf tournament fundraising efforts on behalf of veterans (and we all know his wife Kim was a big part of that also.) In accepting the award, his surprise could not be suppressed. Almost overcome with emotion, he was amazed, "A room full of heros, applauding me ... I love my freedom!"
The Jim Yakbusin family received the award for The Most Patriotic Family, recognizing Jim and his three sons who have all served as Marines and who all continue to serve their communities with a high sense of patriotism.
There was a silent auction and upon announcing all the winners, many golf related items were taken by JIM BRINKMAN and two special items, a football signed by Coach Urban Meyer and a Gator Football helmet signed by Tim Tebow, were taken by DALE RUBANICK.
Our group made its mark on the events of the evening. The Bikers on Parade passed a check for over $21,000.00 to the Veteran Advisory Board, which will benefit local veteran organizations. The program was enjoyable and the food was great. If you didn't go this year, put it on your calendar to go next year ... last weekend in January. To see photos of the banquet on display at Rich Rubanick's site, crookedfences.com, CLICK
HERE.
ADDED: NEWS FEEDS FROM IRAQ
(December 2008) A new page has been added which will provide featured articles from the Multi-National Force - Iraq. The articles are often positive stories about things are improving and the people who are making them happen. I hope you find it worth reading. CLICK HERE to view now or click on the button at the top of the page "News from Iraq."
This is a site that has ideas for what to send in care packages, as well as instructions if you are sending items on your own. A well organized site with good information.
Join us for our regular meetings, twice each month. We meet to help our troops and we also meet to help support
you while they are gone.
MESSAGE FROM A PROUD DAD
Dear All, I want you'll to know how much you'll have mean't to me. I don't
think words can express it, especially mine. I have had a great time with the
group and plan to keep doing so. Bobby's tour of about eight months was
relatively short and you'll have made it seem much shorter. Being around you'll
and seeing/hearing the young brides are the best of times. The support group has
made so many lives better and easier. You'll are the best of the best and I can
never thank you enough. I never would have thought you'll and the group could
have meant so much to me; but you have. You'll are the best. Take care, God
Bless You and I hope to see you again soon. Stephen
Now collecting DVD's for the troops
We are asking everyone to check that shelf or drawer of DVD's that they have and see if you want to donate any of them to send to the troops. Most of them have access to a lap top and can play them on that...and when we have sent DVD's we get letters back that they really help with the boredom when they are not working. Just think about how it would be for you if you worked 12 to 16 hour days and then on on your one off day - there was nothing to do - no tv, movie theatre,
restaurant to go out to, park to hike in - but you got this box with some great DVD's in it.
Collect up any DVD's you can donate and bring them to one of our meetings. If you cannot make it to a meeting but want to make a contribution, please contact Linda Goodwin by email at lindagoodwin@alltel.net.
Comments:
"On behalf of the Officers, NCOs, and Soldiers of A Co, 86th Signal Battalion I
would like to thank all of you who continually support us. Your cards, boxes, prayers, and support mean more to us than
I can express in words. It is truly an honor to serve representing great Americans such as yourselves. Happy Holidays.
Thanks again." (Dec 2006)
CPT Scott Childers Commander, A Co 86th Signal BN Camp Adder, Iraq
Notes ...
RETURNING VETERANS ... we need your help.
Upon your return, you are invited to visit with the Support Group, where you can let them know how important their support
is. Meet family members who still have loved ones over there - your presence and words may bring them hope and comfort.
Your community wants to show their gratitude for your commitment and you are welcomed to join us in our meetings and
any of our special events. Contact Jim Yakubsin (352) 222-8837 or Pam Krueger (352) 377-9738.
Send A Card
This is quick and easy. You can select a card and put your message of support. It will be printed and mailed
to one of the American troops serving in the Middle East.
Working with the staff from the Alachua County Tax Collector's Office, we have the opportunity to
recycle old cell phones through a program called Cell Phones For Soldiers. The value of the old phones is transferred
to phone calling cards that can be sent to our troops for their use.
If you can help in any way or you have a resource that can help us, please contact us.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? You can provide items listed on the page entitled What is needed over there?. You can come to the meetings and help us box up the items. Or you can take them to any of the collection
locations where we have a box. You can make a monetary donation to help pay the costs of postage to send these
items. You can offer your services of your profession at a discounted rate. If you can do any of these things,
please contact us. We need your help.
BUY AN UMBRELLA AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
The MSGFAC is selling a very nice umbrella for $10. Telescoping sectional hard plastic cover with drain cup
and drain plug on the end. Wood handle. Easy to use. Each umbrella bears the stars and stripes
of our nation and has an image of the yellow ribbon on a clear panel to help all remember that it is not over until
they are all home. We have sold hundreds of them.
We now have them in blue with little clouds and plain black. Each of those also has the little clear panel to see
through and our logo.
If you are interested in purchasing one or many, you can let us know by contacting us at PO Box 1926, High Springs, FL
32655, or contact us by clicking on this link.
"If you don't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them."
CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF OUR TROOPS, PAST AND PRESENT.
From The Webmaster
Greetings
For those of you from beyond our local boundaries, Welcome! Our site draws hits from all over the world. What we hope to accomplish with our web presence is to show other communities one more way they can do something for the troops from where they are. Our site has had hits recently from as far away as Amsterdam, Berlin, Belgium, Spain and the UK, but also from many towns in the Great 48, from New Jersey and New York, across to Seattle
WA, down to Riverside CA, over to Austin TX and a whole lotta hits in the southeast.. If you are visiting us, we want you to know this is a very rewarding program. After four years of working, it has never decreased in size. The group and the community support continue to grow each year.
We pray for a day that we will not need a support group. Until then, we are doing what we can to support our kids in uniform, our young men and women, their leaders, and their families.
This is a difficult time for our troops and their families. The separation and lack of contact can strain relationships.
The details of war can be distressing. If you have returned from the theater of operations and need to talk to
someone, or if you are a family member that needs help figuring things out, contact us. We have some resources for you. We are here for you.
In light of reports of some non-profit groups having questionable financial situations, we submit this to all:
The Military Support Group of Alachua County is a non-profit (501 C 3) organization that provides support to
the soldiers serving overseas by sending packages on a bi-weekly basis and
supports their families by providing a place to meet every two weeks and a pot
luck dinner, supplies to fill boxes for their loved ones and postage to mail
these boxes. 100% of the money that we receive is used for these
purposes. There are no paid members of the group…all of the work is done by
volunteers. The only administrative money spent provides funds to keep our
501C3 status federally and our non-profit Florida corporation status.
Thank you for helping us with this
important work of supporting our troops.
SEE OUR NEW 
The folks at Streits Motorsports are at it again. For the 6th year in a row, the annual SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ride brought riders from all around in supporting the mission of the Military Support Group. The ride was Sunday, May 3rd at the Recreation Park in Alachua. We will post more info when we have it about how this fundraiser went.
Join us for our regular meetings, twice each month. We meet to help our troops and we also meet to help support
you while they are gone.
CLICK HERE