VFW Ladies Auxilairy gifted an American Flag flown over a mission in Afghanistan

The VFW Post 12118 Ladies auxiliary has been sending out 'support the troops' care packages with the financial and donation help from the community for two years now and have received some nice notes and letters of thanks.

But the ladies were in tears on Veterans Day when they were presented with a certificate of appreciation and an American Flag that had flown on a mission over Afghanistan from one of the recipients of their boxes of goodies.

CW2 Kelly Abercrombie (pilot), a Highway Patrolman out of the San Andreas office, was one of the recipients of the ladies support the troops care packages. The boxes meant so much to him and his crew that they chose to recognize the ladies with a certificate and a mission flag.

Kelly could not make the parade in person and asked that I, Charity Maness, stand in for him. I was honored.

When the ladies were called to the front of the crowd they did not know what they were being called to receive.

Never needing thanks for what they did, as it was a gift from their hearts for the service of our military, the ladies were moved beyond words.

From the ladies auxiliary to Kelly Abercrombie and crew "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your service and for the honor of the recognition." 

VFW Ladies Auxiliary collecting donations for Support the Troops care packages at Umpqua Bank

You may notice a very colorful and patriotic bucket placed just inside the door at Umpqua Bank.
This bucket was placed there by the VFW Post 12118 ladies auxiliary to collect donations for our Support the Troops care packages that we send out twice yearly.

Pleas stop by and check out the list of needs. We would appreciate your support.

VFW Ladies Auxiliary collecting supplies for support the troops care packages

You may notice a very colorful and patriotic bucket placed just inside the door at Umpqua Bank.
This bucket was placed there by the VFW Post 12118 ladies auxiliary to collect donations for our Support the Troops care packages that we send out twice yearly.

Pleas stop by and check out the list of needs. We would appreciate your support.

VFW Ladies Auxliary Copperopolis recognized by Operation Mend for their efforts

Ric Ryan receives an Honor Bear from Copperopilis VFW Ladies Aux

The Walking Man of Murphys – Ric Ryan – was presented with an Honor Bear from VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliaryat the Angels Camp July 4th celebration held in Angels Camp Utica

Honor Bears are the brain child of auxiliary member Eva Murphy who began the project in 2013 in hopes of reaching out to wounded veterans to give them something that will comfort them without judgment and remind them they are loved. Each bear is lovingly crafted from era and service specific fabric from actual uniforms that have either been donated or purchased with special funds from the auxiliary.

Ric Ryan, who walks to raise funds for Operation Mend, a joint UCLA/Brown Medical Center endeavor to treat the scarring wounds of war specializing in burns and facial reconstruction, has walked a total of 6000 miles and raised over $20,000.00 for the cause.

To date, the VFW Ladies Aux has distributed over 200 Honor Bears to wounded veterans at Operation Mend, veterans’ homes and veteran hospitals. 

 Ric Ryan with his wife Joanne holding the Vietnam Era Marine Crops Honor Bear

VFW Ladies Auxiliary Honor Bears find more loving homes

The James D Piper VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary have now delivered over 200 Honor Bears to to wounded veterans and those in veteran homes and hospitals.

The following three veterans are currently patients at Operation Mend, a joint UCLA and Brown Medical Center group specifically created to treat the wounds of war.

 "Toby"

 "Sal"

For more information about the ladies auxiliary email coppervfw@gmail.com. For more information about Operation Mend visit  http://operationmend.ucla.edu/

James D Piper VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary press release re: Recognition of Umpqua Bank

On June 27, 2014, representatives from the Copperopolis James D Piper VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary recognized Umpqua Bank – Copperopolis store - for their ongoing support of the VFW Auxiliary's 'Support the Troops' care packages campaign.

With the help of Umpqua Bank and continued community support, the Copperopolis VFW Ladies Auxiliary has been able to ship 19 packages to troops overseas just this year. Many of those boxes were shipped to local Calaveras residents serving our country overseas.

Last year, again with help from Umpqua Bank and the community, the VFW Auxiliary was able to send over 25 boxes to our troops.

If you would like to donate to the ‘Support the Troops’ campaign you may mail checks to VFW Post 12118, PO Box 584, Copperopolis, CA  95228. Please put support our troops in the memo line.
If you would like shipments sent to someone near and dear to your heart serving overseas, please email the full address of the service member to the Ladies Auxiliary at coppervfw@gmail.com with Ladies VFW in the subject line.

 Pictured from left to right:
Members of the VFW Post 12118 Ladies Aux:
Charity Maness, Sue Putney, Eva Murphy, Melinda Hoff, Diana Fischer.
Umpqua Bank:
Molly McDonald, Iris Larson, Kelley Putnam, Judy Carter.

Come On Copper, let your Patriotism Fly! by Darrla Westberg

With July 4th fast approaching, The ladies of the VFW Auxiliary Post 12118, have been watching you and have noticed that we live in a very Patriotic community.

Patriotism is all about expressing, sharing, and enjoying love and pride for the United States of America.

There are lots of ways to show patriotism. 

Flying a flag, remembering those that have fought in the military, honoring our veterans—there’s plenty we can do. Sometimes the occasion calls for nothing less than to really let your patriotism shine, and for those occasions, Red, White and Blue is absolutely necessary!

Send us pictures of American Flag displays outside your home or in your neighborhood. Share photos of you, your family, friends, & pets showing off your patriotism. The Copper Gazette will be posting some of those great pictures on the Gazette so starting sending them to the coppergazette@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name and address as well as names of any friends pictured. 

Come on Copper, Let Your Patriotism Fly!

Old Glory Spotted in Big Trees

Photo submitted by Darrla Westberg taken by Krista Brown

This photo was submitted to the Copper Gazette as part of the VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary's project to highlight patriotism. If you catch Old Glory in action in our County, please send your shots as well as the location it was taken to the Copper Gazette at coppergazette@gmail.com.

Come On Copper, Let Your Patriotism Fly! by Darrla Westberg

With July 4th fast approaching, The ladies of the VFW Auxiliary Post 12118, have been watching you and have noticed that we live in a very Patriotic community.

Patriotism is all about expressing, sharing, and enjoying love and pride for the United States of America.

There are lots of ways to show patriotism. 

Flying a flag, remembering those that have fought in the military, honoring our veterans—there’s plenty we can do. Sometimes the occasion calls for nothing less than to really let your patriotism shine, and for those occasions, Red, White and Blue is absolutely necessary!

Send us pictures of American Flag displays outside your home or in your neighborhood. Share photos of you, your family, friends, & pets showing off your patriotism. The Copper Gazette will be posting some of those great pictures on the Gazette so starting sending them to the coppergazette@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name and address as well as names of any friends pictured. 

Come on Copper, Let Your Patriotism Fly!

Copperopolis VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary honor bears finds another heart to mend

Marine Corporal Aaron P. Mankin was Operation Mend's first patient in August 2007. He is currently living in Texas and has two beautiful children.

On May 11th, 2005, he was wounded when the 26-ton amphibious assault vehicle he was traveling in rolled over an improvised explosive device and was propelled 10 feet in the air.

Four Marines died in the attack and 11 others were injured. In addition to the damage sustained to his throat and lungs from smoke inhalation, Cpl. Mankin suffered intense burns on over 25 percent of his body. His ears, nose and mouth were essentially gone and he lost two fingers on his right hand.

 

For more of Aaron's story CLICK HERE

Support the Troops care package drive shows the generosity of our community

When the call came out for donations to troops overseas who were facing the closure of their px and two more months on deployment, the town rallied and donated all the requested items and then some.

 

These products were shipped to Bagram on Monday May 12, 2014.

Thank you everyone for helping the VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary with Support the Troops care package necessities! Your generosity it astounding and we are grateful.

Ladies Aux bake sale a sweet success at Car Show

You may have noticed that the VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary bake sales have become a reliable source of yummy homemade treats at virtually every Town Square event.

These ladies hand bake each item just for you! The donations received from these bakes sales are slated for the auxiliaries 'Support the Troops' care packages; sending some love and care from home to those serving overseas. 

If you missed them at the car show, keep an eye out for them at the next event.

Copperopolis VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 12118 would love to send care packages to your loved one in the military

Do you have a loved one serving overseas who you would like to receive a care package from home?
Please email their FULL address to the Copper Gazette at coppergazette@gmail.com so that we can fill a special box just for them and their crew with love from home.

Addresses will remain confidential and packages are planning to be shipped beginning of June.

More Honor Bears from the Copperopolis VFW Ladies Aux finds homes with heroes

Army Sergeant Jason March was a recent recipient of one of the handmade Honor Bears sent to Operation Mend in Los Angeles from the VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary in Copperopolis.

"Army Sergeant Jason March
SGT March is retired and living in La Vernia, Texas.  On August 27, 2006, while leading a platoon near Fallujah, he was hit by a sniper’s bullet in the back of the head near his right ear while standing in the gun turret of a Bradley.
The right side of SGT March’s head, ear, jaw and brain received the direct impact of the gunshot.  In the past 2 years, he has undergone 7 procedures and can now smile on both sides of his face.
With the help of his family, and positive attitude, his motor control has improved and his sense of humor makes him a joy to be around."

For more on Jason March CLICK HERE

VFW Post 12118 Ladies Aux teddy bears giving smiles across the nation

More and more of the VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary of Copperopolis Honor Bears are finding homes with wounded warriors.

This past week two wounded veterans received their honor bears.

 

Above: Retired Army Captain Jabari White

Above: Retired Army SPC Medic Richard Carson with service dog Zeek.

If you would like information on the VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary please contact Sandy Gilbert 785-4218 or email Commander Al Gilbert at coppervfw@gmail.com.

Honor Teddy Bears arrive at Operation Mend

On Saturday February 15th, 11 handmade Honor Teddy Bears, made by Eva Murphy of VFW Post 12118 Ladies Aux, arrived at Operation Mend to an ecstatic reception.

Within days the first bear was given to wounded Army SGT Khalil Saltani.

 Khalil told the staff that he was so grateful and mentioned it was little things, like the bear, that really matter most.

VFW Ladies Aux Teddy Bears heading to Wounded Veterans

The James D Piper VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary has been hard at work creating Honor Bears to send to Operation Mend in Los Angeles, California.

Each Teddy Bear is lovingly crafted using uniforms that are specific to each branch of military service. Note the Marine Corps emblem on the arm of one teddy bear. This emblem is part of the digi cam uniform and painstakingly worked into the pattern of the bear.

The idea, hatched by VFW Ladies Aux member Eva Murphy, was well received by the group. Eva's heart and love is prevalent in every stitch.  “I know they are scared and alone, too proud to admit they are frightened,” Murphy said with tears in her eyes. “I can only hope the bears bring them peace, comfort, and that they know someone cares.”

11 Honor Bears are now on there way to Operation Mend.

UCLA Operation Mend is a groundbreaking program that provides returning military personnel with severe facial and other medical injuries access to the nation's top plastic and reconstructive surgeons, as well as comprehensive medical and mental-health support for the wounded and their families.

VFW Aux giving wounded vets some teddy bear love

The local VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliary is still reaching out to wounded vets through their uniform teddy bear program.

Most recently a uniform from the USS Midway was donated to the group and was made into a teddy bear just waiting for a home with a vet in need.

If you know of a vet, wounded or in need of some love, who served on the Midway please contact the Ladies Auxiliary so that they may help with a little love from the Ladies Aux in Copper. To contact the Aux with donations of uniforms for teddy bears or with word of a vet in need,  please email Commander Al Gilbert at coppervfw@gmail.com.

Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 12118 making Veteran Honor bears for wounded vets

Veteran Honor BEARS!! for our sick and wounded vets in the  VA hospitals, young and old. Made from real service uniforms, for their comfort, to keep them company or to give, to their families, their friends--who ever they wish them for. As a thank you, in deep honor, for their service to us and our country. Each bear has a dog-tag shaped tag behind their necks tied on with a ribbon, with a thank you, and our Auxiliary Post number. Each bear has a heart, made from flag material appliqued on their chest. Most have stitch marks showing they are honorably authentic material.

Made by Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 12118