First Sgt. Ryan C. Powers accepts a plaque from Benny Hoffman, Mason County Fair President, during the recent Mason County Fair. This year’s fair was dedicated to the members of the 1092nd Engineer Battalion, who recently returned from Afghanistan.
The program, which is spearheaded through ERA Town & Country, was designed to send care packages to the troops while they were away. According to Beckie Stein-Lambert, of ERA Town & Country, Operation Soldier care was a total community effort.
“The community was very supportive. We had 4-H clubs, schools, churches and local businesses help — it was a total support,” Lambert said. “We really had excellent response (to Operation Soldier Care).
According to Lambert, while the 1092nd was stationed in Afghanistan, approximately 3,500 pounds of care package items were shipped. Although, the program has since stopped following the 1092nd’s arrival home a few months ago, Lambert said that Operation Soldier Care is still open to helping the battalion with whatever they need.
“If they want us to do anything else for them, we will help,” she added.
As a special honor to the 1092nd, the 2011 Mason County Fair was dedicated to the battalion. The 1092nd marched in the fair’s parade and were honored during the fair’s dedication ceremony. During the ceremony, First Sgt. Ryan C. Powers was on hand to accept a plaque and recognition from the fair board. While he accepted the plaque, Powers also was joined by SSG Ryan Russell, SPC William Friese, SPC Justin Gibbs and SFC Donald Slone, who presented eight flags to the businesses and individuals who supported the purchasing and shipping of donated goods within the Operation Soldier Care program.
Powers recognized Lambert as well for her work in starting Operation Soldier Care.
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