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SHOW OF SUPPORT SENT TO SOLDIERS OVERSEAS
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photo By Jo Ann La Russo Members from Toms River Boy Scout Troop 50 help prepare packages last week at the Toms River National Guard Armory to be sent overseas to soldiers serving in Iraq. |
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OCEAN COUNTY - United States Navy Korean War veteran, Jack Gallant of West Windsor, remembers mail call in the service, and how good it was to receive news or a package from home.
"I was happy just to get a letter," Gallant said last week at the Toms River National Guard Armory as he filled up boxes to be shipped out to soldiers in Iraq.
Gallant, and dozens of volunteers were at the armory on Saturday, stuffing 600 boxes with everyday items such as magazines, books, snacks, shaving cream, suntan lotion and even bug spray, all under the supervision of Ronnie Micciulla, director of ARMS (American Recreational Military Services), a support group for military personnel deployed overseas.
Micciulla, of Red Bank, and Evelyn Barranco, ARMS assistant director, said their aim is to cheer up troops with a package from home. A deck of playing cards, toothpaste, mouthwash and gum are simple items that bring along with them the news that we care, Micciulla explained.
"You do not have to support the war," Micciulla said, "but you must support our troops."
The care packages also contain blank greeting cards, said Barranco, "so that soldiers will be able to send cards home."
"The most fulfilling part," said Micciulla, "is when we receive letters back from troops thanking us."
Surrounded by the hundreds of boxes at the armory, shipped out hourly to the post office last week, volunteer Edwina Dunne, of Staten Island, said she wouldn't miss her stint at helping out.
"All of this is to help the soldiers in Iraq," she said.
Local Boy Scout and Girls Scout organizations have also been generous with their time.
On Saturday, Toms River Boy Scout Troop 50, along with Scoutmaster Doug Tortorella, and Assistant scoutmaster Hector Rodriquez, were busy putting items in plastic bags to be placed into the big cardboard boxes.
Eleven-year-old Scouts, Devante Rodriguez, Liam Raftery, Matthew Mari and Kurtis Morante worked feverishly in the armory garage, loading up the different boxes to be mailed out. The Scouts said that helping the troops is their way of giving back.
"It feels good," said Rodriguez. "They are defending our country."
"This is our good deed," echoed Evan Tortorella, 12.
Volunteer Tom Zaboroski, of Bayville, worked alongside his granddaughters, Katie, 16, Melanie, 12 and Larissa, 14, of Lacey Township.
"We've been doing this for about five years," said Micciulla, adding that every week the ARMS support group sends packages, cards and letters of encouragement to soldiers stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
One setback to the program, however, is that each box costs $10 to ship and donations are needed, said the group directors.
On Saturday, Carmen Torrise, commander of the A. Jay Weeks Post 6063, Toms River, presented Micciulla with a $200 donation collected by post members. "We want to do all we can for our troops," said the post commander.
Seven-year-old volunteer Vincent Savarese, of Howell, there with his mom, Ana, said, "It feels good to help out, and it's important."
"ARMS invites any individual, group or corporation that would like to make a monetary contribution, or who would like to volunteer packing packages to join us, " said Micciulla.
ARMS is located at the Toms River Armory, 1200 Whitesville Road. For information, visit the armory every Tuesday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., contact Micciulla at 732-890-4914, or visit Web site www. Supportarms.com.
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