How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Staff Sergeant Josh Bryant, just home from Afghanistan, paid a visit, meeting his formerly unknown supporters.
He expressed his gratitude, explaining how the care packages he received helped raise morale. Bryant said the packages from Operation Tango Mike meant a great deal as they came from virtual strangers, making the effort to share their time and send support to him. He also mentioned that nothing received is wasted and troops receiving packages always share with their buddies.
Bryant, a 1999 graduate of Middletown High School, was thanked for his service and was honored with a proclamation from the Lake County Board of Supervisors.
Supervisor Rob Brown presented the Airman with his proclamation as well as presenting one to Denise Wilson, the mother of Lance Corporal Ivan Wilson. Though the Lance Corporal has returned from Iraq, he is not currently in Lake County.
Denise Wilson also thanked the volunteers of Operation Tango Mike, saying how much she appreciated knowing Lake County residents were caring for her son while he was deployed.
Bryant absolutely stunned his supporters when he turned the tables and presented a gift. A neatly encased American flag, accompanied by a beautiful full color certificate was presented. The flag is certified as having flown over the skies of Afghanistan on a mission in an F-15E “Strike Eagle” supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Bryant offered the gift as a token of his appreciation for the support he received while deployed.
Jeannie Hadley then made another presentation. She and her husband, DJ, supplied a check in the amount to cover a full month’s shipping. Jeannie has been a participant in Operation Tango Mike “packing parties” and said her husband and she wanted to contribute to what they believe is a very worthy cause.
When the evening concluded, 68 boxes had been lovingly packed with food, snacks, hygiene items, correspondence and Halloween goodies. They were sealed and addressed and on Friday, Sept. 28, the boxes began their journey to troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Earlier in the week, the Lakeport Lions and Kelseyville Lioness also made donations. The Lake County Correctional Officers Association has also made a contribution. The employees at Fosters Freeze in Lucerne have elected not to accept tips. Instead, they place the would-be tips in a donation receptacle for Operation Tango Mike.
The Lakeport Safeway store has contributed a gift card to be used for purchasing care package supplies. Many individuals have also been contributors and with the holiday season quickly approaching, these monies will be designated to ensure special Thanksgiving and Christmas shipments to the troops. Those packages will include tasty treats from the Girl Scouts of Northern California (Lake County troops and leaders).
Operation Tango Mike has launched the “Hug a Hero” campaign. The quest is to secure sponsors for talking bears that will be sent in every Christmas care package. The bear reads letters of support and addresses every military branch. Currently, a display bear can be seen and heard at Umpqua Bank on 11th Street in Lakeport. Bears may be sponsored for $20 each.
As always, volunteers are welcome to join the troop support effort. Correspondence remains the most requested item for care packages. Please feel free to deposit cards, letters and notes in any “drop zone” donation barrel.
Many “thank you” cards, letters and messages have come to Operation Tango Mike. Many of these are directly from the troops receiving the care packages and support. Some are from their families. Knowing the care packages and support make a difference in the daily life of a U.S. service member is the best thank you any volunteer could get.
Donations are welcome and may be made payable to Operation Tango Mike at 5216 Piner Court, Kelseyville, CA 95451. If you have questions or wish to make cash contributions, please contact Ginny Craven at (707) 349-2838.
{mos_sb_discuss:2}
