'Cadets for Vets' are collecting the much needed supplies for US Troops serving overseas in Iraq this holiday season. With the help of the community, the supplies collected will be going directly to the 3 rd Infantry Division which also happens to be where Hobe Sound resident and former teacher 2LT Trevor Plummer is currently deployed.

"The Cadets hope that the entire Treasure Coast community will get behind them and donate items from the list or make cash contributions to offset the costs of shipping." Says Col Alan Weierman, "they will be collecting the supplies all holiday season until early in the New Year, and hope that the troops will receive their supplies in January."

Their first public event collection was held at the very successful RiverWalk Jazz Holiday Festival in historic downtown Stuart. There the Cadets collected a number of boxes of supplies as well as cash contributions to help cover the expenses for shipping. The next collection event will take place at the Stuart Heritage open house, Saturday December 15 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Stuart Heritage president Chris Sawicki invited the cadets to bring a jeep for the supplies to go into and they would be more than happy to help support their effort to help the troops.

Between now and January the Cadets will be collecting supplies to send over to Iraq. Collection 'drop off' locations are: Stuart Heritage at 161 SW Flagler Ave in Stuart, Special Forces Restoration and Construction at 908 Lincoln Ave in Stuart and Victory Forge Military Academy, 602 SW Biltmore St in Port St. Lucie.

Supplies that are being collected are: multivitamins, vitamin C tablets or drops, vitamin E tablets, foot powder, athletes' foot spray, moleskin & blister packs, antibacterial gel, antibacterial wet wipes & large baby diaper wipes, tissue packets that can be carried in pockets, individual packets of Gatorade, PowerAde, Propel, etc., eye drops, dental floss, shaving cream & razors, moisture cream, hand lotion , lip balm, shampoo , combs, Q tips, anti-perspirants (gel only), sun block (30 SPF or higher), handkerchiefs, "Hot hands" and "hot feet" inserts to keep warm, air fresheners, freezer-weight plastic-zip bags, dried fruit, trail mix, seasoning for food (Tabasco, Old Bay, garlic, pepper, salt etc), batteries (especially AA and AAA -- for radios, CD players), paperback books, current news magazines (such as People, Readers' Digest, Hotrod, motorcycle, Sports Illustrated, Soldier of Fortune, low rider, etc.), stationery (cards for all occasions, even blank ones,) electronic games, videotapes, video movies, audiotapes , decks of cards, dominoes, cribbage boards, other board games, crossword puzzles and other word game books, moist computer screen cleaners & canned air for computer cleaning. In addition to those supplies listed above, female troops need: face wash, hair clips & bands, deodorant, etc. AND of course CASH for shipping, and for CLP (Cleaning, Lubricating, Protecting) oil for weapons. All items must be new & in their original wrapping.

" Cadets for Vets" is a community service outreach program of Victory Forge Military Academy, a not for profit organization based in Port St. Lucie Fl. 'Cadets for Vets' works closely with local veteran associations, service organizations and councils to help area Veterans who may have a challenge getting something done. From clearing debris after a storm to mowing the lawn or handing out aid, the Cadets at Victory Forge are dedicated to giving back to the men and women who have served our nation. For more information about Cadets for Vets or Victory Forge Military Academy contact COL Alan Weierman at 772-879-7181, alweierman@aol.com.

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