Support The Troop Drive

OPERATION FILL THAT TRAILER

Status: Mission Completed

Saturday we held the Support the Troop Drive starting at J&A BrakeMasters in Milford that then led to Shoprite on Cherry St. in Milford. We started at around 9am when 2 hummers arrived with a good group of Troops (Iraq Veterans) to pick up our trailer.

Also when we got to the shop in the morning we noticed something rolled up on the tongue of the trailer. We opened it up and found this awesome banner that was left sometime before we showed up. Its so great to see people who care in this world. In the banner was a few cards by Hankin Print, so a big THANK YOU to them.

This is the trailer we wanted to fill.

When the Hummers showed up we had a really cool reflection of the banner in the windshield, so we had to get that shot.

Here's my Father, waiting in anticipation for the troops to show up.

This is Bob on the main person who set up and organized this drive.

Time to hook up the trailer to the Hummer.

Let me tell you these Hummers are a Bad A$$ piece of machinery.

Trailer is attached and ready to roll out. ;)

Once we arrived at Shoprite we had to set up the tents and all to get ready for the donations.

Here is the set up. The banner made a great impact.

We also had another booth set up right outside the exit of Shoprite.

When people made a donation, we had flags set up on the tables for them to sign. The troops really enjoy little messages from us back home.

The Milford Fife and Drum corps showed up as well to play some tunes, while dressed in their pirate attire.

The opposite side of the parking lot, along the street is where the Hummers, trailer and tents were set up. We were hoping to just fill the bins. Well the bins were filled, so was the trailer and half of a Hummer. It was awesome!!!!

The Troops had a great time hanging out and helping. They were an fantastic group of people. ;) Thanks to them!!!

A few people came over with full carriages as donations, it was great.

There was lots of donations along with lots of little messages on the flags for the troops overseas.

This whole drive came together because of these people. Thanks ;)

Again THANK YOU to the Troops, The Vietnam Veterans of America, and of course all the people that took a little time to show support, those are the things that still make USA a great place.

Jon's Pre-Prom

So Friday night my soon to be father-in-law asked me to come and snap some photos of his youngest son Jonathan getting ready with the other kids for their prom. Everyone was meeting at Jonathan's date's house. Once we got there I grabbed a few meter readings then chatted around with Emily's parents while we were waiting for her to finish getting ready and the other couples to arrive.

As the couples started to arrive I started to grab a few photos, these kids were not thrilled to have photos taken, but oh well we made them pose for a few formals anyway ;)

Here's Jonathan waiting for Emily to come out bearing her beautiful prom gown ;)


Boutonniere Time!!

Emily's corsage was stunning and matched her dress perfectly.


The proud look after successfully putting on her corsage.




The girls all looked Beautiful and Prom ready!!




The 3 couples, it was funny because there was about 10 different cameras going off and no one knew when and where to look ;)








In this corner, weighing in at, um sorry anyway I saw this piano and some old photos and a lamp, so I decided to try a little old school pose.






Emily wanted some photos with her parents and her grandmother so here they are :)




And of course I had to have some candid's.






The men were gentlemen holding umbrella's to keep the rain off of their date's dresses.


The parents were all sticking around after the limo left to um, maybe party them selves, yes finally a night without the kids, haha.




When the limo was leaving I saw this great reflection of the limo in the rain soaked driveway and just needed to take it ;)

Relay For Life 2009 Shelton

This past weekend we celebrated the hope for curing cancer with Shelton's Relay for Life. We woke up bright and early Saturday morning packed up the Jeep and trailer with all our goodies to spend the night outdoors. There was enough stuff to survive in the wilderness for about a month and that's with Maggie packing light for one night,ha ha. We had tables, chairs, a tent, a pop-up tent, grill and much more. All the stuff we brought ended up being used for the most part at least. In all it was a great time for a great cause. I believe the total raised was roughly $89,000 so yippee :)

Here's some photos from the event..

One side of the field.


The other side.

This is where I was taking these Ariel photos from during the opening ceremony and first lap for survivors.

This is Shelton's 95 foot Ladder Truck that they were kind enough to let me get a birds eye view from, it was great to be up there with just me, my camera, and some nice wind :)

The Opening Ceremony.

State Rep. Jason Perillo and Echo Hose Ambulance Assistant Chief Joe Laucella give a few words during the opening ceremony. They were the chairs that ran the Relay last year.

There was this huge American Flag on display from the bucket of the Ladder. Trust me I knew it was there, every time a gust of wind came it was like being on a roller coaster, haha. The height is not to bad, kinda like being on a step-stool in your kitchen ;)

I had to make sure the bucket was going to support my weight.

The sky cleared up and it turned out to be an awesome day!!


So as I was taking photos from above Maggie was on the ground shooting away, after I got home and started going through my images it was a little like playing a game of "Where's Maggie", she was popping up in a bunch of them :)




People were having a great time, some just relaxing and taking in the sights, sun, and entertainment, while others were in a small dance competition, lol.




Maggie telling me what she really thinks of me, haha ;)


So a few years ago I was huge into riding motorcycles, so a friend of mine had his bike down and I decided it was time to go for a little ride and I swear (fingers crossed) I only went the speed limit, wore a helmet, and did not do any wheelies.


The Band Big Ugly rocked the stage for a while and really got the audience going.


Dom here is a funny a$$ guy, I worked with Dom back when I was working for AMR and anytime I worked with him I would go home with my sides hurting from laughing all day. This was actually the first time I have ever seen him perform with the band and they were great.






The day was filled with all kinds of different things going on, after Big Ugly was done the next set up was some Irish Step dancers.


The Luminaries were breath taking, but I really wish Echo left the ladder truck this Image would of looked so awesome from 100 feet in the air.


What a great time with great friends and family for a wonderful cause. The night hours were very peaceful into the next morning. Make sure you come out and join us next year ;)

-J

Come down and help us complete our mission to FILL THAT TRAILER!!

On June 13, 2009 The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 251 of Milford and the Blue Star Mothers and Families Inc., of Stratford will Co Sponsor a SUPPORT THE TROOP DRIVE.

Location will be Shoprite, 155 Cherry Street, Milford CT from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We will also be accecpting donations anytime at J&A BrakeMasters 393 Bridgeport Ave. Milford, CT 203-878-9599 This is where the trailer is all the time :)

The drive will be launched at 8:30 AM with a convoy of Military Vehicles departing from Brake Masters 393 Bridgeport Ave transporting a Military Utility Trailer which we hope to fill with items needed and requested by our Deployed Soldiers serving in Harm’s Way. During the day there will be troops who have returned from Iraq to answer any questions that anyone may have.

There will also be Support our Troop Flags to sign for the Troops which will be forwarded to them with your well wishes. We will also have our Board which we call FACES OF FREEDOM where proud men and women can come and place a picture of their loved one. Whenever we do an event this board will go with us so the men and women can be honored.

Also we will be collecting worn and tattered Flags so they may be given a proper retirement.

For more info you can contact Bob Chechoski at rchechoski@snet.net or 203-368-3212 after 6.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THEREHELP US FILL THE TRAILERITEMS REQUESTED

1. BEEF JERKEY
2. SLIM JIMS
3. RAMEM NOODLES ( NO CUPS )
4. GRANOLA BARS
5. POP TARTS
6. TWIZZLERS
7. SALTED NUTS
8. JELLY BEANS
9. RECREATIONAL ITEMS
10. MICROWAVE POP CORN
11. COOKIES
12. CRACKERS
13. TUNA ( FOIL PACKS NO CANS )
14. SNACKS
15. TOILETRIES
16. BATTERIES AAA---AA
17. RICE KRISPIE TREATS
18. AIR FRESHNERS
18. AIR FRESHNERS
20. TEA
21. POWDERED DRINKS
22. PROTIEN BARS
23. GUM
24. EZ MAC & CHEESE
25. HAND HELD GAMES
26. FRUIT ROLL UPS
27. STARBURST
28. SUNFLOWER SEEDS
29. ON THE GO FOR DRINKS
30. JOLLY RANCHERS
31. LOLLY POPS
32. BREATH MINTS

PLEASE NO CHOCOLATE

SHOP-RITE
155 Cherry Street
Milford CT

JUNE 13, 2009

9:00 AM-----5:00 PM