NORWAY – A recognition ceremony was held Friday to honor troops on Armed Forces Day. Presenting speeches of support and gratitude to troops who have served or are serving our country to maintain our freedom were Mariel Geiger, of WOXO Radio in Norway and organizer of the event; Leslie Dean, Norway; and Ron Blake, pastor of First Baptist Church of Paris, resident and selectmen of Norway.

Also present was special guest Maria Whitney who’s son Jason Reardon is currently serving in Iraq. Reardon is a specialist in the 133rd Battalion and spent four years serving with the United States Marine Corps. He is responsible for escorting convoys to and from the military base.

“He left for Iraq on St. Patrick’s Day,” said Whitney. “He is staying in a former Saddam Hussein palace in Mozul.”

Whitney said that she keeps in touch with Reardon on a regular basis, a lot by e-mail. “He said that the troops’ morale is really low. That when they first left, they were getting a lot of attention, and now he feels the support is dwindling from the community; that the communtiy members are starting to forget them.”

He also told Whitney that he feels the media is not portraying the work being done; that they have been doing a lot of good work and accomplishing a lot that is not getting recognized.

Whitney said Reardon told her that the troops are witnessing a lot of devastation and destruction, and that what bothers them the most is the Iraqi children. “They are so poor. They have nothing,” he told Whitney. “And, there is very little we can do for them.”

Whitney is suggesting that churches, schools and community organizations become more involved. That maybe the school children could adopt a soldier and write to them or send cards or packages. She has had bumper stickers made that say “Half My Heart Is In Iraq” that she is willing to give to families who have a loved one in Iraq. They will also be available to the public for a fee of $5 obtainable at the Galilee House in Norway. Proceeds will go to troop’s family members to help with mailing packages, and other mail. “It is very expensive to send things to Iraq,” she said.

Also attending the recognition was Jean Jones with her son Matt of West Paris. Husband and father, Randy Jones, is also stationed in Iraq. Matt takes care of Mom while he waits for Dad to return home. Said Jean, “We are dealing with it. We talk to him a lot, at least every other day. He, too, said the troops morale is low.” He is writing to school students in West Paris, and said Jones, “He had to miss his daughter and son’s graduation,”

If anyone would like to adopt a soldier, you will need their rank and name that can be obtained by calling the Armory in Lewiston or Norway. They will have a list. The address must be as follows:

The rank of the soldier, the soldier’s name, and then the address: HSCCO.C 133rd, ECB (H) APO, AE09334.