Jan 10, 2009 Welcome Home dinner/dance party National Guard

This is an Email letter sent by Tommy Carey to these news organizations in an attempt to get some coverage of this event.

T0:
Dave Hansen, Co-Anchor KIMT Primetime News, Mason City, Iowa 
Adam Holst, Assignment Editor KTTC News, Rochester, Minnesota

Gentlemen,  First of all, thank you for taking my call earlier this afternoon.  My name is Tommy Carey. I am a member of the Committee for Veterans Support Programs, Elks Lodge 1091, 1652 Hwy 52 N, Rochester, Minnesota 55901. Judy Wasser is the Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge 1091. I am also 1st Vice Commander, American Legion Post 92, Rochester, Minnesota and a two tour combat Vietnam Veteran. The purpose of my call is to bring to your attention an event planned at the Elks Lodge in Rochester for January 10, 2009.

Elks Lodge 1091 has been a sponsor of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry, Minnesota National Guard for a number of years. The Elks Lodge will host a Welcome Home party and dance for the 110 Guard personnel and approximately 50 family members. That is a drill weekend so all members will be in attendance. Specific itinerary has yet to be determined.

On Saturday, February 9, 2008 Elks Lodge 1091 held a similar party and dance for personnel not deployed to the Middle East and family members of all personnel assigned to the unit. It was very well attended and all had a wonderful time. With this party we will express our gratitude to the members of Bravo Company for their devotion to duty in carrying out their mission in America's war on terror. 

I invite you or a representative of your organization to provide the kind of recognition only a news organization can provide. It would be a way of saying "Thank You" to our local National Guard Veterans and as importantly, to their families for their honored service and their sacrifice to America. Your organizations provide news and information to the communities you serve, what better way to acknowledge our men and women in uniform than to provide news coverage of this event.

Also, Dave, if you would. As I referenced in my telephone conversation, I saw the piece Jamie Copley did at the high school in Mason City at the departure ceremony of the 1133rd. I was moved and impressed by her work. She noted that as the troops were going to depart the gym, a new song (National Guard anthem?) would be introduced to the public for the first time. The broadcast unfortunately was unable to include that song so I have wondered since how it sounded. Jamie appears to be a staunch supporter of Veterans, Please convey my Thanks to her. 

I look forward to hearing from each of you and arranging for any access you desire prior to the day of the event or hopefully the day of the event. Whatever you choose to do I will provide whatever assistance or clarification you might need.

Additionally, Jerry Barnhart, Chaplain, American Legion Post 92 does a TV program for veterans. It is called "Vets Visits on TV" and addresses a variety of Veterans' issues and topics. Jerry anchors and produces the segments for airing locally and to approximately 19 other TV outlets around the country. To date he has done some 141 segments over the last 11 years. Jerry will be doing a live remote telecast the day of the party from the Elks Lodge.

Respectfully,  Tommy Carey