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Rally honors, remembers military

Kate Downie (with flag) and Mary Alice Prazynski sing along to “God Bless the USA” during the Support Our Troops Rally on Saturday, July 31, in Fairfield.

Contributed photo by E.L. Hubbard Kate Downie (with flag) and Mary Alice Prazynski sing along to “God Bless the USA” during the Support Our Troops Rally on Saturday, July 31, in Fairfield.

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Photos: Support Our Troops Rally

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By Chelsey Levingston, Staff Writer Updated 8:50 AM Monday, August 2, 2010

FAIRFIELD — About 20 active and veteran military servicemen who were honored at a Support The Troops rally Saturday called on those gathered to remember troops overseas.

The event came at the end of a record month for U.S. casualties in Afghanistan.

Community Jesters organized the second annual support rally Saturday, July 31, in the parking lot of Cornerstone Plaza Shopping Center on Ohio 4.

Speakers included Fairfield Mayor Ron D’Epifanio, Butler County Common Pleas Judge Michael Sage and Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller.

Veterans cannot be forgotten, said Sage, a U.S. Navy veteran. If they are, the next generation can’t be expected to aspire to military service, he added.

As the population grows, the number of veterans declines, he said. He said 1,500 veterans pass away every day.

“If we forget, we dishonor the sacrifice and valor of our service men and women,” Sage said.

Those honored included Lt. Col. Terry Senger, a Marine Corps veteran and Fairfield councilman, and John Prazynski, an Air Force veteran. Prazynski’s son, Lance Cpl. Taylor Prazynski, was killed in Iraq in 2005.

One way to support troops is through organizations such as Yellow Ribbon Support Center, said Prazynski of Liberty Twp.

Cincinnati-based Yellow Ribbon has sent 17,000 packages to troops since it formed in 2004, said Kirk Wilson, a Yellow Ribbon volunteer.

“Everyone can choose to do something,” Prazynski said.

Support local military charities:

WHO. Yellow Ribbon Support Center
WHAT. Collects food and everyday item donations or money for care packages to send to troops.
WHEN. Donate anytime
WHERE. 700 Eastgate South Drive, Suite 430, Cincinnati, 45245
HOW. Mail donations or volunteer time at the above address. Can also call 513-752-4310 or visit www.yellowribbonsupportcenter.com

WHO. Impact Player Partners, a nonprofit that provides emotional, career and financial support to severely injured U.S. military personnel
WHAT. 6th annual Hero’s Ride motorcycle ride
WHEN. 6th annual Hero’s Ride Saturday, Aug. 28. Registration is 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., pre-ride program is 12:30 p.m. and riders depart at 1 p.m.
WHERE. Fairfield Village Green Park, 301 Wessel Drive, Fairfield
HOW. Visit www.herosride.com or email herosride@yahoo.com

WHO. Rolling Thunder
WHAT. Advocacy group for Prisoners of War or Missing in Action issues that raises food or money donations to provide meals to veterans and sponsor at least one veteran a year
WHEN. Donate anytime
WHERE. PO Box 605 West Chester, 45071
HOW. Mail donations, call James Spy Reilly at 513-602-9300 or visit www.rollingthunderoh9.org

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I'm sure many more people would have participated had we known in advance that it was to take place.
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fghfh
3:15 AM, 8/2/2010

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It was in the Fairfield Echo in advance of the event.

Army vet
12:59 AM, 8/2/2010

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It's a shame this outstanding community action was NOT publicized (at least online at Journal-News) prior to 12:54AM the day of the event. I'm sure many more people (including myself) would have participated had we known in advance that it was to take place.

NavyVet
1:52 PM, 8/1/2010

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