Support Our Troops meeting
Charles Runner, President
On February 21, it was standing room only at the Support Our Troops monthly meeting. President Charles Runner welcomed over 60 members and guests and passed on news from the troops that SOT supports. He also reported on the Support team’s February shipments to deployed personnel that included 28 boxes of comfort items. Treasurer Quinn Sowell provided a review of the SOT budget and financial information. He noted that persons who shop at Amazon Smile can select SOT as their charity to receive a 0.5% donation of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases. A link is located on the SOT webpage at supportourtroopstexas.com.
Sam Goodrich and Bill Moore discussed the SOT Spring Golf Tournament that will be held at Robson Ranch on May 1. More than 30 soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood will be the guests of SOT. Bill requested volunteers to host the soldiers and any family members they may bring to the tournament.
Carol Hilton passed out cards handmade by the RR Sassy Stampers for members to write a note and forward to personnel on the SOT Support Roster. SOT sends cards to everyone on a quarterly basis and also sends birthday cards. We currently support 74 service men and women related to Robson Ranch residents and the Morale Welfare & Recreation Center at Bagram, Afghanistan.
In addition to the scheduled agenda, Lana Aberbach, president of the RR Happy Tails Dog Club invited SOT members to attend their March 14 meeting to meet visitors from the Train A Dog—Save A Warrior group that provides specially trained dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD. SOT will be making a donation to the group at the meeting. Sandi Price spoke about her hobby to support the troops by making paracord survival bracelets. She explained the process and offered to train members so that SOT could supply them in future support shipments to the troops.
The highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Watson Crumbie, SSGT, USMC about his military service. Watson joined the Marines in WWII as soon he turned 18 to avenge the deaths of two of his high school classmates and a future brother-in-law who were aboard the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He fought with the 2nd Marines on Saipan and the 6th Marines on Okinawa, two of the bloodiest Pacific campaigns of the war. He was recalled to active duty for the Korean War and fought with the 1st Marines in five battles including the Chosin Reservoir. He was in front line combat for 140 days in two wars. Watson received a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of his presentation.
The 2015 SOT membership drive is underway. Forms are available in the clubhouse kiosk or by email from [email protected]. The next SOT meeting will be at noon in the clubhouse on Saturday, March 21. Please plan to join us.