Girl Scouts do their part to lift spirits of soldiers
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Members of Jackson Girl Scout Troop 489 hold a flag that was sent to them by American military personnel who are serving in Baghdad, Iraq. The girls sent a care package to the servicemen, one of whom is the father of a troop member.

JACKSON - The youngsters in Girl Scout Troop 489 have sent a little taste of home to a special member of the United States armed forces.

Chief Master Sgt. Lance Endee is the father of Troop 489 member Marley Endee, 10. He is presently serving with American forces in Baghdad, Iraq.

"He's there to serve in the war," said Marley, who is also the daughter of Deborah Endee.

"He protects us," Marley said when asked what her dad is doing in Iraq.

The members of Troop 489 are all fourth-graders at the Elms Elementary School. In addition to Marley, the troop members are Jenny Belling, Jacqueline Biennas, Angie Cornelius, Valentina Fiero, Lauren Haltigan, Jane Kennedy, Jenny McNamara, Nicole Naldi, Juliette Porcelli and Emily Settlecowski.

Juliette explained that the troop members recently sent a care package to Marley's dad. The package contained magazines, newspapers, candy, cookies and pictures of the Girl Scouts doing various activities.

The girls knew the package was a hit with Endee and his fellow servicemen when they received an American flag in return. The flag they received from Iraq flew over the base where Endee is working.

Along with the flag came a certificate which Angie read aloud.

"This is to certify that this flag, a symbol of freedom, was flown over this base in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 18, 2007," she read. "This flag is presented to Girl Scout Troop 489 on behalf of Chief Master Sgt. Lance Endee in support of America's war on terrorism during Operation Iraqi Freedom."

Troop leader Barbara Porcelli said she expects that the flag from Iraq will be displayed in the school library and then used by troop for special ceremonies.

"The girls will continue to use this flag throughout the years as they march in parades or if there is a flag ceremony," she said.

Emily said it made her feel good to do something good for somebody else, while Jenny said she was happy about sending Girl Scout cookies to the troops.

Marley said her dad likes Penn State football and chewy candy. There is no television on the base in Iraq, but there is Internet service and Marley has had a chance to send e-mails to her dad.

"He calls us twice a week and we tell him what's going on," she said. "I tell him what my grades are in school and what we are doing during the weekends."

Porcelli said she was proud of the girls who are collecting more boxes of cookies that will be sent over to Iraq in another shipment.

"We are proud ofMr. Endee and we appreciate all that the men and women are doing in Iraq for our country," the troop leader said.