·www.operationdearabby.net:

Send a greeting via e-mail through this service started by the advice

columnist.

· www.defendamerica.mil:

Sign a virtual thank-you card.

·www.usometrodc.org:

Donate directly to "Operation USO Care Package"

·www.va.gov.vetsday:

Volunteer to work at a Veterans Administration hospital by going to this

site.

Make a donation

to one of the relief societies serving each branch of the military:

www.aerhq.org :

Army

www.nmcrs.org :

Navy and Marines

www.afas.org :

Air Force

www.cgmahq.org :

Coast Guard

- J. Frank Lynch

Rally to support

troops set April 4 at Fville amphitheater

The men and

women from Fayette County who are serving our country in the military

in the war on Iraq will be recognized at a special rally at the Villages

Amphitheater Friday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m.

Citizens are

asked to contribute names to the list by calling Fayetteville City Hall

at 770-461-6029 or via e-mail to [email protected].

The rally will

feature patriotic music performed by the Fayette County High School marching

band. A short video will also be displayed including a large screen that

will list the names of those currently serving in the military for the

war effort.

The event be

emceed by Col. Ted Mallory of Fayetteville.

Officials are

recommending those planning to attend should bring blankets and lawn chairs

for seating.

The Villages

Amphitheater is located next to FCHS on LaFayette Avenue. Parking is available

in the high school parking lot.

- John Munford

Local

Middle School Supports U.S. Troops

The Junior

National Beta Club chapter at Rising Starr Middle School is currently

sponsoring a school-wide service project: OPERATION GRATEFUL AMERICANS.

Students at the school are writing letters, decorating pillowcases, and

collecting small personal items for a company of U.S. Marines from Camp

Pendleton, CA who have been in the Kuwaiti Desert since October. On Wednesday,

March 19, over 100 students volunteered to "stay after school"

for an event to decorate pillowcases and write letters to the Marines.

The school has already sent over 300 letters to our military men and women.

"This

project has been extremely meaningful to many of the students," says

Mrs. Sally Raymond, the Beta Club sponsor. "The letters and sentiments

expressed on the pillowcases are so heartwarming. The students are very

responsive to the opportunity to touch an individual military member and

show their support for the mission."

The following

poem was written on one of the 75 pillowcases decorated by the students:

Keeping the

Faith

7th grader

Through dirt,

ashes, flame and sweat

You are the

ones we will never forget

Risking your

future to preserve our ways

We won't forget

for the rest of our days

Through these

times of tears and pain

We'll make

it through the heat and rain

the Faith

You can see

the hope and trust in their eyes

Through love

and tears that we will cry

We wish that

you could come back home

And we pray

that you are not alone

hard to be the best

You are better

than the rest

And you will

make it sound and safe

As long as

we all Keep the Faith