GREENVILLE -
Dozens of National Guard members left Greenville earlier this month, and will soon be heading to Iraq. But while they are in training in Mississippi, a Michigan lawmaker is trying to make it possible for them to come home for the holidays.
State Representative Brian Calley (R-Portland) is organizing an effort to provide discounted bus transportation to any soldier that needs it.
"These brave men and women are about to spend a year in harm's way," said Calley. "I don't want a single one to miss this Christmas with their family." So Calley is spearheading a fund-raising campaign to bring them home.
"Dean Transportation has offered the use of their buses at less than half their actual costs in order to make this happen," said Calley. "And this is not the first time this company has stepped up to provide such service to military personnel."
A woman whose husband is a member of the unit works for Dean Transportation and helped come up with the idea.
The unit, the 1073rd Maintenance Company which includes 145 soldiers, is training at Fort Shelby, Mississippi. Nearly 100 soldiers want to use this option, but they need to raise $12,100. Representative Calley pledged $3,000 himself, plus he has already received another $3,000 in donations.
We spoke with a soldier in Mississippi, and he said the news is boosting the morale of the soldiers. "There's just a lot of happy people over here, their reaction was disbelief to be perfectly honest," said Lt. Tom VandenBosch.
"Some people even came the next day and said 'Okay, I was able to come up with a little bit of money,' and we were like, 'You don't get it. It's free," he said.
Any extra money raised will go to the family support center for the 1073rd.
If you want to contribute, send a check or money order to:
The memo section of your check should say "Greenville Soldiers."
State Representative Brian Calley (R-Portland) is organizing an effort to provide discounted bus transportation to any soldier that needs it.
"These brave men and women are about to spend a year in harm's way," said Calley. "I don't want a single one to miss this Christmas with their family." So Calley is spearheading a fund-raising campaign to bring them home.
"Dean Transportation has offered the use of their buses at less than half their actual costs in order to make this happen," said Calley. "And this is not the first time this company has stepped up to provide such service to military personnel."
A woman whose husband is a member of the unit works for Dean Transportation and helped come up with the idea.
The unit, the 1073rd Maintenance Company which includes 145 soldiers, is training at Fort Shelby, Mississippi. Nearly 100 soldiers want to use this option, but they need to raise $12,100. Representative Calley pledged $3,000 himself, plus he has already received another $3,000 in donations.
We spoke with a soldier in Mississippi, and he said the news is boosting the morale of the soldiers. "There's just a lot of happy people over here, their reaction was disbelief to be perfectly honest," said Lt. Tom VandenBosch.
"Some people even came the next day and said 'Okay, I was able to come up with a little bit of money,' and we were like, 'You don't get it. It's free," he said.
Any extra money raised will go to the family support center for the 1073rd.
If you want to contribute, send a check or money order to:
- VFW Post 4406
- 148 Bridge Street
- Belding, MI, 48809
The memo section of your check should say "Greenville Soldiers."
