VFW to hold dinner for military spouses
By Sam Atkins
Published in News on May 6, 2004 1:59 PM
Military spouses will be honored during a dinner on Saturday sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The event is part of Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Melissa Thames with the National Guard's Family Assistance Center in Goldsboro said they are expecting between 70 and 80 people for the roast beef dinner and a movie.
The free event is open to all military spouses, and it will be at the National Guard Armory in Goldsboro beginning at 4:30 p.m. The armory is at 700 U.S. 117 S. Bypass. Those planning to attend the dinner should let Mrs. Thames know by calling 739-5331.
Nearly 5,000 soldiers of the North Carolina National Guard's 30th Heavy Separate Brigade deployed in February, which includes members from Wayne County.
It was the largest call-up of N.C. National Guard soldiers since World War II, and the brigade was the first full National Guard combat brigade activated and deployed for service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The 230th Support Battalion is part of the brigade and two of its units, the Charlie Medical Company and the Headquarters Company, are based in Goldsboro. More than 250 soldiers combined from these two units have deployed. They are expected to be gone for at least a year.
The National Guard is also in need of items for care packages and money for shipping the items to the troops. Donated items can include cookies, chips, canned goods with hand-held can openers, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, books, video cassettes, DVDs and tapes. Any food that can melt, aerosol products and anything with nudity will not be accepted.
People can drop the items by the Goldsboro armory Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, call 739-5331. Cash or checks are accepted. Checks should be made payable to the 230th Family Readiness Group.