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Frisco makes life easier for returning soldiers (SLIDESHOW)
By Jan Bellamy/jbellamy@acnpapers.com
Battleground-weary soldiers will return to a near luxury experience, thanks to an outpouring of support from Frisco residents.
“What Frisco has given will provide hotel-like accommodations for a group of 10 soldiers we have coming into Ft. Hood,” said Patrick Sowers, founder of Operation Once in a Lifetime.
Sowers’s nonprofit operates a store in Plano and works with communities on collection drives like the one in Frisco Square for the month of February. More information on the organization and mission “to make soldiers’ dreams come true” can be found at www.operationonceinalifetime.com.
Joining Sowers were a number of people whose organizations supported the collection effort: Patrice DeVille, a 911-operator with the Frisco Police Department; Ron Bowden, senior vice commander with the Frisco VFW; Lee Myrben, VFW commander; Brandy Griffith, president, Frisco Noon Lions Club; Bob Shaver, vice president, marketing, with Frisco Square Development; and Mayor Maher Maso.
“I remember coming home to base with sheets and blankets, but no toothbrush, no soap,” said Bowden, a Marine Corps veteran. “You had to go over to the PX, the post exchange, and buy those yourself. I say anything we can do for these soldiers is a good thing.”
DeVille coordinated donations at the Frisco Police Department and getting those down to Frisco Square.
“I wish we could have done more,” DeVille said. “Hopefully, we will do more and continue this.”
Joining Sowers was Sgt. Jean P. Deonier, now a U.S. Army recruiter. The Iraq veteran said he remembers the help he received from Operation Once in a Lifetime.
“We’re really happy to see the donations,” Deonier said. “It is really, really appreciated.”
PHOTO CAPTIONS
Operation Once in Lifetime’s van was filled with donations from Frisco residents.
Patrick Sowers, founder of Operation Once in a Lifetime, tries to squeeze a few more items into the van.
U.S. Army Sgt. Jean P. Deonier, left, joined Sowers at the March 10 pickup. Deonier said he appreciated the help he received when returning from Iraq.
Among those on hand to encourage Sowers’s efforts were Mayor Maher Maso; Bob Shaver, Frisco Square Development; Ron Bowden and Lee Myrben, VFW; and Brandy Griffith, Frisco Noon Lions Club.
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