Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Luce, left, of the 240th Engineer Group from Augusta presents Roger Quandt of the Lewiston Sun Journal with a Combined Task Force Chamberlain certificate of appreciation for support of the troops deployed in Afghanistan and helping to keep morale high.

Sun Journal receives honors

LEWISTON – Dunkin Donuts and the Sun Journal formed a partnership in March 2004 to send newspapers to the Maine National Guard units in Iraq and Afghanistan to show support for the Maine troops in the Middle East. The Sun Journal and Dunkin Donuts have sent 50 newspapers and two pounds of Dunkin Donuts coffee every day.

Currently, A Co., 1-121st FA Security Force and the 399th Combat Medical Support Group are deployed. Other units that have received the newspapers and coffee are the 240th Engineer Group, B Co., 3/172nd Mountain Co., 133rd Engineer Battalion and the 152nd Maintenance Co.

Since March 2004, the two businesses have sent more than 45,000 newspapers and almost 2000 pounds of coffee to the troops.

Major events that have seen covered during that time include the Red Sox World Series win and the Patriots Super Bowl wins.

The Sun Journal and Dunkin Donuts will receive a Center of Influence Award from B Co., 172nd Mountain Co. on Saturday, June 23, in the Bangor Auditorium.

Command Sergeant Major Paul Luce of the 240th Engineer Group in Augusta also presented the Lewiston Sun Journal with a Combined Task Force Chamberlain certificate of appreciation for support of the troops deployed in Afghanistan and helping to keep morale high.