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Operation MWR: Supporting Troops with Flags and Multimedia

From raising money with flags to building a mind-blowing video system, Operation MWR aims to support soldiers through morale welfare and recreation activities. With the help of generous donors, Congressman Rothman's office, and DHL, the mission is successfully accomplished.

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Operation MWR: Supporting Troops with Flags and Multimedia

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  1. Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon Operation MWRFrom a fire in August 2005 to a Super Bowl party in 2006, Operation MWR was pretty special!

  2. It started back in August 2005 with an email from our adoptee, CPT Hallah N. (now MJR). “Fire destroyed our MWR (Morale Welfare Recreation) tent.” Operation MWR Everything was lost: Chapel, Library, Gym, you name it, gone!

  3. OK. We’ll raise money using flags. We’ll ask our troops to fly them and sign them. They’ll be treasured keepsakes for folks who donate $200 each. Gary Potenzone of Apollo Flags in Wayne, NJ, donated really nice nylon embroidered flags. Hallah N. and Yale A. from the 29th, Vince M. from 9th Psy Ops (Kombat Kinkos) and Gordon C. from the 11th Amored Cav all agreed to fly flags. It’s not easy flying American flags in Iraq. We don’t want to look like an occupying country, so this was a challenge. Operation MWR

  4. We also held an auction. SFC Frank M. donated two Ka-bar knives from Iraq. Lots of spirited bidding! Allan V and Christine W won the knives. We raised $335. Operation MWR

  5. “Why don’t you call Steve Rothman’s office?” suggested Mary-Edna, Alan’s wife. “He’s our congressman. Maybe he can help raise awareness and generate some publicity.” Good idea. Spoke to his office staff. Ordered some American flags and asked for help. Operation MWR

  6. Then came the big break. Joe Hamlin, Firestone store manager in Elmwood Park, NJ, bought a flag. Joe is a Lieutenant with Paramus, NJ, rescue and spent a week doing recovery work after 9/11. Operation MWR Photo: Joe Hamlin Taken at Ground Zero

  7. Joe spoke to Harriet Turnof, District Mgr, Bridgestone/Firestone North Jersey District. She needed more info. “Alan, can you get me a letter from your Congressman?” She wasn’t quite sure about AaSP. “I’ll try.” Congressman Rothman’s office immediately responded with a fax to the Bridgestone/Firestone office! When I say immediately, I mean within the hour!!! Operation MWR

  8. The result -- Bridgestone/Firestone of North Jersey ordered a flag for each of their 30 stores (and sent a $4,500 check!) … we were on our way! Operation MWR AaSP 5x8 flag from the Capitol now hanging in Elmwood Park, NJ, store

  9. So what do we do with Firestone’s money? We called Don Baine of Multi-Media Communications in Natick, MA. They run the biggest multi-media screen in Toronto. “I want in,” he says. “We’ll build a mind-blowing video system for our troops!” Operation MWR Don Baine with small Lumaglass screen

  10. A couple of months later, we picked up an 80-inch screen and had fun decorating the crate. “Kinda like signing torpedoes in the old WWII movies.” Operation MWR Alan K, Don and Carol signing the crate in Natick, MA, 11/30

  11. We were honored when SFC Frank M. and his teammate SFC Angel A., former adoptees and OIF veterans, arrived as an honor guard for our shipment! Operation MWR l-r: Dan Craw holds crate as SFCs A. and M. sign for the troops!

  12. We bought lots of other stuff with our flag money, like a wide screen TV, DVD sound system, XBox, games, keyboard, boom box, footballs, volleyballs, etc. etc. etc. Operation MWR The great guys in the 700 Bldg mailroom – Rick, Tom and Cyril

  13. But how are we going to ship this stuff to Baghdad? The Army and Air Force said no. That’s where Congressman Rothman’s office came through – and DHL came to the rescue!! Operation MWR l-r: SFC M., Alan K, SFC A., Artie McC, Rob M, Dan C and Lou B see the shipment off…

  14. We got it done with great help from everyone Operation MWR Farewell shot in front of the big blue Unilever “U” in the 700 lobby

  15. Last but not least there’s work to do at JFK. Operation MWR Alan K and Chris of DHL put the official touches on the Big Screen

  16. DHL really came through! From Wolfgang Pordzik and Roger Libby in Washington to Neal Moran, Cathy O’Reilly, Jackie Kates, Artie McCune and John Baitz at JFK, they were all great! Operation MWR Neal Moran, Director of Operations, with his ‘wall of planes’ at the DHL Express Gateway at JFK

  17. Thank you!!! Congressman Steven Rothman’s office (Bob Decheine, C-O-S) Bridgestone/Firestone North Jersey District (Joe Hamlin, Harriet Turnof) DHL and DHL Express (Roger Libby, Wolfgang Pordzik, Neal Moran, Cathy O’Reilly, Jackie Kates, Artie McCune) Multi-Media Communications (Don Baine) Apollo Flags (Gary Potenzone) PC Richard, Jersey City, NJ (Pablo Obregon)

  18. Thank you!!! For flying flags: SFC Vince M., CPT Gordon C., MAJ Hallah N., 1SG Yale A. Unilever 700 Bldg Shipping (Dan, Rick, Tom, Cyril) Unilever Media Relations (Jennifer S, Sabrina G) and Corporate Communications (Sharyn K) And, of course, our very generous members: Unilever: Monica S, Tony F, Jamie L, Pam K, Susie O, Holmes B, Marty M, Cathy S, Lori H, Lou B, Christine W, Angelo F, Donna H, John K, Alan K and his Mom Connie K Outside members: Allan V, Dennis M,Jack K, John T, John C, Jeff E and Linda T

  19. One Last Thing This is how it works – it’s simple!

  20. And One More Last Thing To Major Hallah N. and 1SG Yale A.: The shipment goes out 12/3 from JFK to Bahrain, then on to Baghdad. You will have this stuff next week. To you and the 29th BCT and to all those who will inherit all this wonderful merchandise … may it all bring you a respite from all your work. We all love you and thank you for your sacrifice and for your bravery from the bottom of our collective hearts!!! You guys are THE BEST!!!

  21. And Another One More Last Thing On Tuesday, December 6, DHL is putting 1,000 Christmas trees, lights, ornaments and Menorahs on a 747 to the Middle East. Guys, you’ll be getting some of those trees! Thanks Cathy O’! Happy Holidays.

  22. And the Ending … The shipment arrives on Wednesday, Dec. 7 (of all days)… only shipped on Sat. night!!!

  23. And the Ending … Lots of happy troops… like Chaplain U., who already has this keyboard making music!

  24. And the Ending … And an office full of stuff!

  25. And the Ending … And lots of happy soldiers!

  26. And the Ending … But there’s more… Since the 29th were coming home in January, the items were bequeathed to the 32nd Signal Battalion at their Christmas party

  27. And the Ending … And our adoptee received an Army award.

  28. And the Ending … Now that’s a happy ending!

  29. And the Ending … But wait … there’s more! Like a Super Bowl party! Calls to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks yielded cartons of hats, shirts, pennants, pins, flags, mini-helmets and Terrible Towels. Tracy Tachick got the Green Bay Packers to send 50 hats! (Hey, Coach Lombardi used to coach Army!) Rob Evans and his dad Hal got the Miami Dolphins to send more souvenirs. So, how was the party you asked?

  30. And the Ending … It was great! Operation MWR

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