Operation BBQ For Our Troops; Pacific NorthWest

Outstanding what Konrad and Phyllis Haskins are continuing to do up in the Pacific NorthWest (see below) as well as Del King and others in organizing and putting on Operation BBQ For Our Troops events for our troops and their families.

Very proud of all of your's and Del's and all the OBBQFOT Coordinators and Volunteers efforts for our troops and their families.

Thank You For What You Do!!!

Don Grissom
Dueling Bubbas

from http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/375482_guard19.html :

Return to Iraq: Big sendoff planned for Guard's 81st Brigade
Last updated August 18, 2008 5:28 p.m. PT

By MIKE BARBER
P-I REPORTER

Citizen-soldiers of the state National Guard's 81st Brigade, preparing for their second deployment to Iraq in four years, are expected to receive a supportive, hometown-style sendoff Tuesday in South King County.

The city of Auburn and its American Legion Post 161 are organizing the public event, slated to begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Game Farm Park, 3030 R Street S.E., Auburn.

The 81st Brigade is composed of 2,400 citizen-soldiers from Washington units and 900 from California. It is headquartered in Seattle and has been preparing for its return to Iraq since early this year after learning in 2007 that it would be mobilized into federal service. The P-I chronicled the troops when they left on their first deployment in 2004 and again in several stories when they returned in 2005.

At least 1,300 people are expected to attend, and people can come earlier to relax before the short ceremony begins, with remarks by several speakers. The unit's deployment banner will be handed over for display in the Kent armory. Konrad Haskins of Monroe, from Operation BBQ, will share his food talents, while children will have access to an inflatable play area and other events.

Democratic and Republican party rivals have found common ground in wishing the troops and their families well. Dignitaries expected to attend include Gov. Chris Gregoire, Congressmen Adam Smith and Dave Reichert, and Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis.

Jim Broe, Post 161's judge advocate, said donations can be made to the Benevolent Fund established to provide emergency assistance to National Guard family members while soldiers are deployed. Tax-deductible checks can be sent to American Legion Post 161, noted for "Benevolent Fund," 16205 N.E. 12th Ct., No. E-67, Bellevue, 98008-3664, or to that account in any Cascade Bank branch. The fund's tax identification number is 91-0124915.

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P-I reporter Mike Barber can be reached at 206-448-8018 or mikebarber@seattlepi.com.

© 1998-2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

• Operation BBQ, WA

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