Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1411199
26 | LIFE IN SOLERA | OCTOBER 2021 | CLUBS & GROUPS I have been writing articles for about 14 years. This will be my first with the new publisher. I hope I can continue without missing an issue. This first part is probably for the newer residents of Solera. I hope you have noticed the flags that Solera's Flag Brigade put up, 10 to 12 times a year, along our main streets and around our Clubhouse. Did you know that each flag, along our main streets, is dedicated to one of Solera's Veterans? Also, the flags on the driveway to the Clubhouse, the large parking lot, in front of the clubhouse, around the mail room and the tennis courts, were all sent to Solera by a military service member, in appreciation of our support to them and their unit, while serving overseas. Beneath each and every flag is a plaque with the Veteran's or Service Member's name and information. How many of you have noticed the plaque mounted to a large rock on your right as you enter the main doors to our Clubhouse? This plaque is dedicated to all Veterans. Furthermore, have you the occasion to walk around our community and notice the benches placed strategically throughout our community? They also have a plaque which were purchased in honor of someone connected to Solera. For anyone who is thinking of donating items for the troop care package project, you might consider "RE-GIFTING." Some suggestions are small board games, such as Cribbage, Dominoes, Yahtzee, etc., card games such as Uno, SkipBo, and Pinochle, and poker chips. Female soldiers always enjoy a nice unopened hygiene item. K-Cups coffee make a good re-gift item, as well as motel hygiene items. Service members always enjoy magazines. I always have plenty of female magazines, but anything for the guys would be great. Some examples are news, health, military, Smithsonian, Popular Mechanics, hunting, fishing, Guns and Ammo, sports, golf, money, financial, cars, trucks, boats, airplanes, RVs and Readers Digest are all examples. Paperback books are for the real readers. No romance, but action, war, biography, history, westerns and science fiction are examples. Lastly, let's not forget the Support Our Troops fundraiser sponsored by Solera's Karaoke Group and hosted by Marty and Diana Mangan, on Sun., Nov. 14, from 2 to 5 pm. Thank you for caring. ~ Jesse Donardt SUPPORT OUR TROOPS There were three occasions to raise the Flags in September – Monday. Sept. 6 for Labor Day, Saturday, Sept. 11 for Patriots Day, and Saturday, Sept. 18 for POW/MIA Day. There are no occasions to raise the flags in October. Thank you to those few dedicated resident volunteers who are up "at the crack of dawn" on these special days to put up and take down our flags. Jesse Donardt is a resident of Solera and someone who cares for our troops overseas. Jesse collects things that our troops need and enhances the morale and well-being of these troops worldwide by shipping care boxes containing items specifically requested by them. Please support Jesse and the SUPPORT OUR TROOPS program. Jesse can be reached at (951) 845-9028. To all veterans, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! Billy (Mitch) Mitchell is a resident and veteran who has voluntarily worked with individuals and the Veterans Administration (VA) in order to assist veterans in obtaining veteran benefits. If you are a veteran and interested in finding out which benefits you may be eligible to obtain, contact Mitch at (951) 797-0800. FLAG BRIGADE