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| LIFE IN SOLERA | AUGUST 2025 | 43 When setting at my desk, I sometimes reminisce of the many service men and women we have supported over these years. Some we supported only on one tour and some on as many as three tours. One such soldier, we never supported at all. Very early one Christmas morning, I was at my desk, going over my computer mail. Here was an email from an Army First Sergeant, a complete stranger to me. His message was coming from Iraq, and was only about an hour old. They are about 11 hours ahead of us. He explained that this was one of the few times he had some quiet time, to just sit and think of home. This was back when our troops were doing some heavy fighting in Iraq. He explained how he noticed a record album of Christmas music on his desk. In the quiet afternoon, he was able to listen to the only Christmas music he had been able to hear. When he happened to turn the album cover over, there was a note attached. The note explained that this music had been sent by the Solera community and was singed with my name, address and email. He said he just had to message me and tell me how much the music had meant to him. I quickly emailed him back and we exchanged a couple of messages. I don't know how this music ended up on his desk. We were not supporting this soldier or even his unit. But somehow the people of Solera brightened one Army First Sergeant's Christmas afternoon. I often place copies of the Needed Items lists in the mail room. Also I would be happy to email you a copy. These are the most common items sent. Don't hesitate to call, email or text and ask, "Can they use this or that?" I often send the service member a different list of more unusual items. This is a list of things that I always ask them about before sending. Anytime that you have a question or suggestion, don't hesitate to contact me. If you are on a tight schedule, I have a collection box at my door. If you think of it, include your name. My location and contact information is 996 Ironwood Road (corner of Bridges Dr.); jdd39@verizon.net and (951) 892-6635. Thank you for caring. ~ Jesse Donardt SUPPORT OUR TROOPS VETERAN ASSISTANCE FLAG BRIGADE 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. The Flags were raised on June 6 for D Day, June 14 for Flag Day, and July 4 for Independence Day. There are no days in August to raise the Flags. 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. To all veterans, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! Flag schedule for 2025 Labor Day: Mon., Sept. 1 - up 8/29, down 9/2 Patriots Day: Thurs., Sept. 11 - up 9/10, down 9/15 National POW/MIA Day: Fri., Sept. 19 - up 8/18, down 9/22 Veterans Day: Tues., Nov. 11 - up 11/10, down 11/12 Pearl Harbor Day: Sun., Dec. 7 - up 12/5, down 12/8

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