Melbourne Area Federated Republican Women
Support The Military
SSG Paul Russell Marek was one of our honorees at our military dinner last year, and our Club has continued to support him with our Caring for America, chaired by Susan Collins. In partnership with students at Holy Trinity Academy, led by Sarah and Shelby Robbins, a very moving tribute was paid to Russ at Holy Trinity's Veterans Day Program on November 11, 2008. At that time, he was presented with "kitchen warming" gifts from the students and our Club.
Front: Russ Marek.
Back, left to right: Barbara Davis, Maria Hernandez, Debbie Schofield, Sarah Robbins,
Shelby Robbins, Betty Violette, and Susan Collins
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Left to right: Paul Marek, Sarah Robbins, Russ Marek, Shelby Robbins, Rose Marek |
Front: Russ Marek |
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Front: Russ Marek
Back, left to right: Paul Marek, Sarah Robbins, Rose Marek, Shelby Robbins

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On Nov. 21, 2008, representatives from the Melbourne Area Federated Republican Women and students from Holy Trinity Academy delivered the
"kitchen warming" gifts to SSG Paul Russell Marek's new home.
Front: Russ Marek
Back: Rose Marek, Barbara Davis, Susan Collins, Paul Marek, Sarah Robbins, Wade Harris, Carlie Rogers

We recently received this letter from U.S. soldier Spencer Rogers, who is stationed in Iraq.
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December 23, 2007
Here is a wonderful email we received from a serviceman
who received one of our packages.
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These are photos from our November 3rd "Save The Date" dinner honoring the military.

Col. Danny McKnight (speaker) , MAFRW President Barbara Davis

Seated: Sgt. Russ Marek (honoree), Col. Danny McKnight (speaker)
Standing: Paul Marek
Se
Seated: Russ Marek (Honoree)
Standing: Rose Marek, Jeff and Carlie Rogers (parents of more Honorees),
Barbara Davis,
Col. Danny McKnight, Paul Marek

This letter was recently sent to Melbourne Area Federated Republican Women by CH (MAJ) Larry H. Block, 260th Military Intelligence Battalion in Iraq. Photos from the CD mentioned in the letter are posted below as well.
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THANK YOU LETTERS FROM OUR TROOPS
Here are some recent letters sent to our club from
U.S. troops who received Christmas care packages.
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MELBOURNE AREA FEDERATED REPUBLICAN WOMEN COLLECT DONATIONS TO BENEFIT LOCAL VIETNAM VETERANS
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MAFRW members load up Joy Powshok's van with donations for
the veterans after our Christmas 2006 luncheon.
Left to right: Joy Powshok (Vietnam Vets Liason); Marlene Frye, Deanna Reiter
(MAFRW 2nd V.P.);
Barbara Davis (MAFRW 1st V.P.); Irene Hall; and Cheryl Hiteshew
December, 2006----At a recent meeting, the Melbourne Area Federated Republican Women met and collected a van load of linens, clothes, toiletries and food stuffs for the Viet Nam Veterans Transitional Housing Facility in Melbourne along with a $600 gift card.
The organization meets the first Wednesday of each month in the At Ease Club
at Indian River Colony Club. For more information, please visit the
website at www.melbournegopwomen.org or call 727-1212.

PRESS RELEASE: NOVEMBER 20, 2006
REPUBLICAN WOMEN REMEMBER SERVICE MEN
AND WOMEN AT CHRISTMAS
Members of the Melbourne Area Federated Republican Women's club sent twenty one
individual Christmas stockings to three units of Florida troops recently.
Over $1300 was donated by members and friends to purchase phone cards, DVD's,
CD's, books, magazines, candies, and cookies. Troops requested special items
such as chewing tobacco and specific magazines which were also included. Each
stocking had a 200 minute military phone card. Special items were sent to the
women troops. Christmas greeting cards signed by club members and friends were
included.
The Melbourne Area Federated Republican Women meet the first Wednesday of each
month at the At Ease Club at Indian River Colony Club. Please visit their website at www.melbournegopwomen.org.

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Our ongoing fundraiser for U.S. troops in Iraq has been a phenomenal
success! Here are some letters we received from the soldiers themselves.
The
original copy of this letter wasn't available to us, so MAFRW's
web master transcribed it from a fax print out.
Ladies of the Melbourne Area Republican Women's
Club,
In Iraq, we are based at Forward Operating Base Speicher,
a former Iraqi air base outside Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown.
He was captured near here by members of the 4th Infantry Division almost
two years ago. His trial resumed today, and we are watching it closely.
The base is a place we call home while we are here and is named for
U.S. Navy Commander Scott Speicher, who was shot down and has been
missing in action since Operation Desert Storm. You would be very proud of your Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who are serving in Iraq. I think you would also be proud of the patriots of the Iraqi Army and police our Soldiers are working with who are braving great personal risk to try to make their country a safe place for their families to live. They are truly Iraq's future.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness. With your support there is nothing we cannot do.
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This is the original Christmas card sent to us by the troops. This
is the front
of the card.
This is what the troops wrote on the inside of the card:
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Thank you to all the MAFRW members who have volunteered for this
project. As you can see, your efforts have made a difference!
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Republican Women
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