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| LIFE IN SOLERA | JUNE 2022 | 23 Thanks to the people in Solera, we are going into our seventh year of supporting our service men and women all over the world. Situations and locations often change, but we always adapt. I have known of a number of care package projects that have started in neighboring towns, but for one reason or another, they eventually fall by the wayside. It's sad that they do, for the more our troops can be remembered the better. Solera residents are the reason behind our success. Over the years, we have always struggled to raise funds for postage. We have never paid to have packages mailed to the Soldier's actual locations. Our packages and mail go to a couple of locations on the east coast, or a couple of locations on the west coast. There, the military picks it up and transports it the rest of the way. Our smaller boxes have always been Priority, Flat Rate boxes, provided by the post office. For the most part, they have traveled by air. In the past, our larger boxes often traveled by truck or train. Now those larger boxes have to be shipped as Priority Mail and go by air. The cost of those packages have more than doubled. We recently held a fund raiser, that will help with our postage cost. When Solera held its community wide garage sale, on April 30th, the Support Our Troops project held one also. Ron and Debbie Monroe were very gracious to allow us to use their garage and long driveway on Gleneagles Rd. to hold the event. They were such hard workers and gracious hosts. Ron and Debbie, I can't thank you enough. To put on the event takes multiple days, both before and after the sale. To all of you volunteers that worked the sale and donated items, thank you. It couldn't have been done without you. I am in hopes that we can hold another fundraiser when Solera has its fall garage sale in October. Should any of you think that you might be able to help, or donate items in the fall, I would love to have your cell phone number, for easy texting. You may contact me at jdd39@verizon.net or my cell phone, (951) 892-6635. Thank you for caring. ~ Jesse Donardt SUPPORT OUR TROOPS The flags were raised on Fri., May 20 for Armed Forces Day (Saturday), and Mon., May 30 for Memorial Day. The flags will be raised on Mon., June 6 for D-Day, and on Tues., June 14 for Flag Day. 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. The contact for the Flag Brigade is Nick Gercis at nick.gercis@ gmail.com. When you see the flags out in the community, take a minute and look at the columns or poles that they are mounted on. There are plaques mounted for each flag. They contain information on service members (some that are family members of Solera residents), service members that donated flags (some flown at military facilities, including overseas), and some plaques that honor those that have passed. We fly the flags to thank and honor all those who have served, are serving, and will serve to protect our freedom. 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 on his cell phone at (951) 892-6635. 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 VETERAN ASSISTANCE Billy (Mitch) Mitchell is a resident and Veteran who has voluntarily worked with individuals and the Veterans Administration to assist Veterans in obtaining benefits. If you are a Veteran and want to know which benefits you may be eligible for, contact Mitch at (951) 797-0800.

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