May 14, 2008 7:54 am US/Mountain
Military Support Event Planned In Summit County
FRISCO, Colo. (CBS4) ―
The father of a soldier fighting in the war overseas is trying to create an event to support troops that would be the biggest in Colorado. It's called "Armed Forces Day" and is already a venue for raising money to send packages to actively serving troops, mostly for soldiers who call Summit County home.
This father is actively seeking help to make the event this year a success, emphasizing that the troops need to be reminded that the tough job they are doing is appreciated and that people back home are grateful.
"I started this the year my son went into the Army; he graduated high school in '06," said Tim Gurule. "Last year was the first barbeque I held. It went well we had about 450 persons in attendance."
This year Gurule is planning a bigger and better event, hoping that as many as 5,000 people will show up. The event will be held May 17 at the Summit Ford dealership in Silverthorne, beginning around 8:30 a.m. Brigadier Gen. Mark Brennen and Cory Voorhis will be guest speakers.
"We will have POW/MIA Table Honors, Echo Taps, Fort Carson's singing group, the local high school brass band and more," said Gurule.
A raffle and auction is planned. Gurule is hoping to still receive donations of items that can be auctioned or raffled off. He's welcoming gift cards, goods, and services of any kind. The money raised will go to purchase items for care packages. For years, locals have been sending off care packages to soldiers to show support.
"As we receive APO's on soldiers, we try, as money allows, to send packages from home to those we have addresses for and enough to cover their squad or company," Gurule told CBS4. "They will range from food items to necessary equipment they might need or request. About a month or so ago we sent a dozen nut sacks to a MP group at a forward Operating post."
Gurule can't say much about his son, who is serving overseas, for security reasons. But he knows first hand what it is like to miss and worry about a loved one, and how appreciative they are when they receive gifts from home.
"He loves them…they appreciate everything they get," he said. "He has asked for everything from food to bandannas to Frisbees. I have always told my kids that I'll support any team they play on 1000 percent and then some. In high school I did the same for the wrestling team when it was rumored it might not exist. With help from a few fathers I rallied we had wrestling all four years my son was in school. I guess I got this from my mom and dad who gave to the high school I attended. At the time it was almost unaffordable to them and they donated materials and labor so that my brothers and I could go to Mullen High School."
To contribute or volunteer for the event, contact Gurule at 970-389-6846 or coloradical@aol.com
(© MMVIII CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
