FPS staff report
December 4, 2012

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER. Nancy Whiteleather (left) and Margaret Mesler, president and treasurer respectively of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 3301, write messages for US troops serving overseas and stateside. The Friends of Our Troops campaign sends cards to troops during other holidays, also.

What began as Vietnam Mail Call in 1965 is now Fan Mail for our Troops.

A group of patriotic Americans formed Vietnam Mail Call for the purpose of getting as many cards and letters to US troops fighting in Vietnam and aboard ships in the area. 

However, after the end of the Vietnam War, the campaign stopped until another group began an organization to send supportive mail to US troops overseas. The effort has also extended to US troops serving in the military stateside.

Members of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 3301 sent 1,450 Christmas cards to Fan Mail for our Troops in 2011 and decided to help spread holiday cheer again this year.

Auxiliary Treasurer Margaret Mesler headed to the post office with a box containing 2,650 cards, over 1,500 done by member Amy Shepherd.    Members wrote a message in each card to show support for US troops. 

“Last year, we were recognized as fifth in the nation as a veteran’s organization for the number of cards we sent,” said Mesler.

Other auxiliary members who worked on the project included:  Nancy Whiteleather, auxiliary president, Debbie Paulette, Betty Shafer, Sue Noble, Chrissy Jill Johnson, Kathy Bower, Carol Zorger, Margie Thompson and Tammy Newbold.

School groups are welcome to participate in the program, along with churches and other organizations.  Information can be found by contacting Friends of Our Troops, PO Box 65408, Fayetteville, NC 28306, via email at letters2soldiers@usa.com, on the web at www.fanmailfortroops.net, or by calling 910-426-7379.  Fan Mail for our Troops also sends cards and letters for other holidays.

The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 3301, located on Chase Rd. outside Carrollton, gave 11 Thanksgiving baskets to veterans in need and each year chooses one family in the community to assist during the Christmas holiday.

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