LAKE COUNTY – The latest Operation Tango Mike packing party was notable for the flag we've received from our marines in Iraq, and the number of "civilian" packers.

The usual hard core of Vietnam Veteran of America packers was augmented by volunteers from the community. Notable among them was Tim Salisbury, whose marine son, Denny, is recovering from wounds in a Qatar hospital. Other community volunteers were Tamara Newby, Jess and Erin Woodward, Vic and Jackie Morgan, Bobbi Chambliss, Ed Moore, Bill Becker, Paula Bryant, Carol Whittaker and Robert Angle.

The VVA chapter volunteers were thick on the ground. Besides this author, there were Ginny Craven, Dean Gotham, Genevieve Snow, Dustin Angle, Harry Graves, Skip Hulet, Suzi and Frank Parker, Patty and Dave Collins, Ken Leavitt, Phyllis and Barnett Hoffman and Larry Mick.

Many hands made a fast easy packing party. We whipped out 46 boxes; counting interim shipments of 10 boxes since our Easter shipment, we have shipped another 56 boxes of goodies to the troops.

Next shipping will be end of June. We're taking a break for a fund raising Pasta Feast on Saturday, May 12th, from 4 to 8 p.m.

We're still looking for contributions for next shipment, which will celebrate the Fourth of July. We now have donation bins throughout the county. Here's where you can look for them.

– All three Hardester's Markets: on Highway 29 in Middletown, in Hidden Valley at 29843 Hartman Road, and at 16295 Highway 175 on Cobb Mountain.

 

– Riviera Foods at 9730 Soda Bay Road.

– In Kelseyville, DJs Pizza, 5285 State Street .

– Lakeport: Mackey Tires and Spas, 2102 South Main Street; The Ink Spot, 95 Third Street; Kerrie's Quilting; 1853 North High Street; The Iron Worker Gym, 325 Twentieth Street.

– Upper Lake: Country Carpets, 9465 Main Street; Judy's Junction, 375 East Highway 20.

– Nice: Sentry Market, 2265 East Highway 20.

– Lucerne: Lakeview Market, 6068 East Highway 20.

– Clearlake Oaks: Nostalgia, 12615 East Highway 20; Tower Mart #161, 12583 East Highway 20.

– Clearlake: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2237, 3980 Veterans Lane; American Legion Post 437; 14770 Austin Road; Foods, Etc., 15290 Lakeshore Drive.

– Spring Valley: Russ' Valley Pantry, 1578 New Long Valley Road.

Checks or money orders are most welcome, and can be tax deductible. Mail to P. O. Box 1313, Lakeport, CA 95453-1313. Cash donations may be given to Ginny Craven. Her cell phone is 707-349-2838. She can also give out further information about Tango Mike, and can sign up volunteers on the phone tree for the next packing party. Please note we can put to work volunteers of all ages and physical capabilities.

E-mail George Dorner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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