Support Our Troops: On 16th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks, Adopt-A-Battalion Honors Our Heroes

By Neil A. Carousso

We will Never Forget that Tuesday morning that changed our country and the world around us. We were thrust into a war on terrorism and sixteen years later, the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces continue to fight for our freedom and American values.

On this year’s eve of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Adopt-A-Battalion will host a memorial barbecue in memory of those who perished and to support our troops who are still fighting the global war on terrorism.

I first came in contact with Adopt-A-Battalion when I met one of their volunteers, Janine, in early March at the Farmingdale, NY Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) at a charity event honoring U.S. veterans from all military branches and various services. Janine told me about the inspiring commitment Adopt-A-Battalion has made to current United States military members who continue to fight on our behalf.

Every Saturday morning, Adopt-A-Battalion volunteers gather on Long Island to prepare care packages for our troops. I witnessed this beautiful display of American spirit, patriotism, grit, harmony and love of country first-hand in April when we reported on the organization, which was founded in 2004 after now-Col. Timothy Parker wrote home to his parents for basic necessities such as clean underwear when he was serving his first tour in Iraq.

Parker’s cohorts asked for similar packages and the Parker family began shipping goods to individual U.S. soldiers who share with their battalions.

Adopt-A-Battalion has shipped over 40 tons of goods, directly to service men and women over 13 years. Last year, it sent 1,972 boxes to troops stationed overseas. Their goal remains to surpass 2,000 boxes in 2017.

If you are in the Long Island, NY area, I highly recommend you set time aside, as a patriot, to attend the memorial barbecue that will take place Sunday, September 10 from 12 Noon to 6 PM at Brady Park in Massapequa Park. It is $20 per adult and $10 per child to attend, which includes a hamburger or cheeseburger, a hot dog with a salad, bag of chips and a soft drink or water plus dessert. More than your meal, the proceeds will be used to purchase more basic necessities for our troops currently serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait.

If you are interested in attending the 9/11 memorial barbecue or volunteering your time on a Saturday morning, reach out to Brian Parker, Con. Parker’s brother, at (516) 342-5557. You may also contact Vietnam Veteran and President of Adopt-A-Battalion Richard Olson via email at adptbattalion.org.

All the information for the event is on the event flier and on their official website.

As seen on “The Neil A. Carousso Show” on April 23, 2017: A team of volunteers gather weekly in Massapequa Park, NY to arrange care packages for U.S. military members serving overseas. Watch by clicking the play button on the embedded YouTube player above.

We must Never Forget or abandon the men and women who fight to keep the United States of America the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” God Bless America!