Melrose Firefighters Support 'Operation Thank You'

[Editor's note: The following information derives from a city of Melrose press statement.]

The newest sponsor of the "Operation Thank You" Washington, D.C. trip is the Melrose Firefighters Local 1617, according to a city press statement.

Union Vice President Lt. Jay Morneault presented a check to the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School group earlier this month to help sponsor a Vietnam veterans experience in our nation’s capital.

The Local 1617 joins a number of local residents and groups who have supported this year’s trip through private donations and the purchasing of fundraising calendars and bracelets. The group hopes to send Vietnam and veterans of other eras to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. free of charge as part of the nation’s 50^th anniversary remembrance events. 

“This is a hard working group and the generosity of the Melrose public is allowing them to succeed,” said Ryan McLane, director of Melrose-Wakefield-Saugus Veteran Services. “Last year’s trip was amazing and although our group of veterans is larger this year, we expect to meet our goals and have the same level of success.”

Operation Thank You currently has 15 veterans signed up for the city’s trip on Mother’s Day weekend 2013. More than $4,000 has already been raised to help defray costs. As per the group’s vote, only the veterans and their family members travel free of charge.

The group has designed a commemorative bracelet. The bracelet is red, white and blue and adorned with the label “Operation Thank You.” The bracelets can be purchased at Melrose Veteran Services or at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School from now until June. All proceeds from the bracelets will directly benefit Operation Thank You. The bracelets are one for $3 and two for $5. 

If you are a Vietnam veteran and are interested in coming on the trip, contact Melrose Veteran Services at 781-979-4186. Interested veterans are asked to have a friend or family member attend the trip with them. All interested veterans will receive a follow-up application and additional information about the trip itinerary.

For more information, contact Melrose-Wakefield-Saugus Veteran Services Director Ryan McLane at 781-979-4186 or email rmclane@cityofmelrose.org.