Fair project aims to share support with troops overseas
Writing personal notes of thanks, that will be included with the Pocket Flags, when they are sent to the service men and women serving overseas, are (from left) Samantha Remington, 11, of Uniontown; Alaina Cubbage , 11, of Fairchance; and Tialar Sokol, 9, of Uniontown.
Kaitlin Wiltrout, of Bullskin Township, places folded flags into small, plastic bags, for the Pocket Flag Project at the Fayette County Fair.
While visiting from Connecticut, Zoe Dunninhan, 10, writes a note for a serviceman overseas, that will receive the Pocket Flag, that she prepared, at the Fayette County Fair.
Ethan Knopsinder and Olivia Brown, both from White, fold small U.S. Flags for the Pocket Flag Project at the Fayette County Fair.
Somewhere overseas, an area person serving in the military will receive a pocket-sized American flag and a letter from 5-year-old Jakob Streets of Greensburg that says, 鈥淐ome home, and thank you for protecting us. May God bless you.鈥�
Thanks to the Pocket Flag Project at this year蘑菇视频 Fayette County Fair, area troops who are stationed overseas will receive these letters and pocket-sized American flags.
The unique size will enable the soldiers to carry them in their pockets as a reminder of support and appreciation.
The Fayette County 4-H Club and Alfred Wilson Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7219 are sponsoring the Pocket Flag Project inside the Youth Building at the fair.
After volunteering to staff the Pocket Flag Project booth at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show in January, 4-H extension educator Cathy Brady said she wanted to bring the project to the Fayette County Fair.
鈥淚t really touched my heart,鈥� said Brady.
People of all ages are invited to participate in the project.
鈥淲e ask them (the guests) if they want to participate in folding the flags and then they write a letter,鈥� said Allen Ryan, commander of VFW Post 7219. 鈥淭he flag and letter are put together in an envelope. We are going to put them (the envelopes) into boxes and try to send them to local units.鈥�
James Streets, father of Jakob Streets, said it is important for him and his family to participate in the project.
鈥淵ou want to support our troops,鈥� said James Streets. 鈥淚 hope they (the troops) are thankful and proud that people took the time to say 鈥榯hank you.'鈥�
Ryan said he expects the troops will appreciate receiving the flags and letters.
鈥淚 know from experience, they will feel relieved to know that someone is thinking of them. It will give them a nice, warm feeling,鈥� said Ryan.
Beside the troops receiving something from the project, Ryan hopes the participants receive something as well.
鈥淚 hope they feel a little camaraderie and companionship. When these kids see a soldier in uniform, they might think they sent their flag and letter to them,鈥� Ryan said.
For the first year of the project, 4-H and VFW have set a goal for how many letters and flags they would like to send.
鈥淥ur goal is 1,000 letters. At the beginning of our third day, we started out with 201 letters,鈥� said Ryan.
Brady explained that the project also is a valuable tool for her 4-H participants.
鈥淲e are encouraging our 4-H members to do a countywide community service project,鈥� said Brady.
鈥淚t is getting kids involved more with community service. It makes them feel good to say 鈥榯hank you鈥� to the troops.鈥�
The Pocket Flag Project will be held every day throughout the run of the fair from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
Ryan is looking for information on where to send the pocket flags and letters to the area units stationed overseas. Anyone with information can call Ryan at 724-812-2166.