WOU College Republicans hold third annual Support the Troops Week
Jeffrey Sawyer
Issue date: 5/16/08 Section: Headlines
For the third year in a row, the Western Oregon University College Republicans (WOUCR) have hosted "Support the Troops" week. The week is meant to show students how they can support America's troops even if they do not support the War in Iraq.
For the duration of the week May 12-16, the WOUCR hosted two booths in front of the Werner University Center. At times, students in Western's ROTC program showed up to show their support for the troops who are currently serving abroad.
Despite the fact that there were "College Republicans" shirts and buttons on display at the booths the week is not meant to promote any political agenda or to recruit for the army, according to Western student and WOUCR member Colin Perkins.
"No matter what your political affiliations are, this is for anyone who simply wants to show the troops we are behind them no matter what," said Perkins.
"Although WOUCR sponsors the program it has always been and always will be a non-partisan event," said Teresa Lucas, president of WOUCR.
Lucas started the Support the Troops week when she was a freshman to help students learn how they could show their appreciation for America's service men and women.
"My brother served in Iraq, and whether or not people support the war, I think it is important to say 'Thank You' to our service men and women," said Lucas.
For those who wanted to show support for the troops, there were many options available. If a student had a friend or relative serving in the army they could post a picture of them on the "Recognition of Service" Board. Students were given the chance to write a letter of support to a member of the army and donate different goods for care packages that the club plans to ship to the troops overseas.
While the recognition board looked a little empty Tuesday afternoon, there were at least 15-20 letters that different students had written to the troops.
When asked if many students or other members of the campus community had stopped by to show their support, Perkins said it had been "kind of hit or miss" during his time there on Tuesday.
"Many people stop to donate money for care packages, write letters to soldiers, to ask about what else they can do, to grab a yellow ribbon to show their support, and to post photos of Soldiers they love on our service board," said Lucas. "When someone comes up and says, 'my cousin is serving in Iraq right now, thank you guys for doing this, it just made my day' it makes everything worth it.•
For the duration of the week May 12-16, the WOUCR hosted two booths in front of the Werner University Center. At times, students in Western's ROTC program showed up to show their support for the troops who are currently serving abroad.
Despite the fact that there were "College Republicans" shirts and buttons on display at the booths the week is not meant to promote any political agenda or to recruit for the army, according to Western student and WOUCR member Colin Perkins.
"No matter what your political affiliations are, this is for anyone who simply wants to show the troops we are behind them no matter what," said Perkins.
"Although WOUCR sponsors the program it has always been and always will be a non-partisan event," said Teresa Lucas, president of WOUCR.
Lucas started the Support the Troops week when she was a freshman to help students learn how they could show their appreciation for America's service men and women.
"My brother served in Iraq, and whether or not people support the war, I think it is important to say 'Thank You' to our service men and women," said Lucas.
For those who wanted to show support for the troops, there were many options available. If a student had a friend or relative serving in the army they could post a picture of them on the "Recognition of Service" Board. Students were given the chance to write a letter of support to a member of the army and donate different goods for care packages that the club plans to ship to the troops overseas.
While the recognition board looked a little empty Tuesday afternoon, there were at least 15-20 letters that different students had written to the troops.
When asked if many students or other members of the campus community had stopped by to show their support, Perkins said it had been "kind of hit or miss" during his time there on Tuesday.
"Many people stop to donate money for care packages, write letters to soldiers, to ask about what else they can do, to grab a yellow ribbon to show their support, and to post photos of Soldiers they love on our service board," said Lucas. "When someone comes up and says, 'my cousin is serving in Iraq right now, thank you guys for doing this, it just made my day' it makes everything worth it.•
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