Donation to help buy misters for U.S. troops

Sierra Vista Herald, Sierra Vista Arizona ^ | Aug 20, 2005 | Bill Hess

[SandRat]

SIERRA VISTA - The president of the Fort Huachuca 50 handed over six checks totaling $2,100 to the organizer of an effort providing water misters to Fort Huachuca soldiers heading to Iraq.

Jana Proctor accepted the checks - one for $1,600 from the organization and five other personal checks of $100 each from the group's board members.

With temperatures in Iraq still in the 110-degree and above range, soldiers seek ways to keep cool in what is physically and emotionally hot conditions.

In presenting the checks, Fort Huachuca 50 President Tom Finnegan said that when he served in the Army there were times he wished he had ways to keep cool.

Lt. Col. Tom Washer, deputy commander of the 11th Signal Brigade, was at the check presentation. When he was a battalion commander in the brigade, he led some soldiers on a deployment to Iraq.

"Down range (In Iraq), the soldiers really appreciated them (the misters)," he said.

Some brigade soldiers are currently deployed to Iraq. Another group is heading to that country in the next few weeks.

It is not only Signal Corps soldiers from the post who deploy to the Middle East region. Soldiers from the fort's military intelligence, medical and other units also ship out for Iraq.

Proctor said the support she has received for the mister project that began more than a year ago has been overwhelming.

"The people of Sierra Vista have been very good," she said. "That's the best reason to live here."

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!