By LISA HLAVINKA
Staff Writer

LODI — The American Legion is known for its good deeds in the community, but the organization also is lending a hand to soldiers overseas.

Once a month, American Legion Post 523 sends care packages to local troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Inside the packages are items most Americans take for granted —toiletries and nonperishable food.

Carl Martin, commander of the Lodi post, said the American Legion receives letters and e-mails from soldiers thanking the group — and also some unique requests.

“We got an e-mail that said ‘send wet wipes’ because there is so much sand and heat over there,” he said. “They use them to wipe their faces.”

Burbank resident Charlie Zimmerman, a member of American Legion Post 523 in Lodi, prepares fish and chicken dinners Friday night at the post. (Shirley Ware | Photo Editor)

He also said Q-Tips are a popular requested item. Soldiers use them not only to remove sand from their ears, but to clean sand out of the crevices in their weapons.

Most of the soldiers are from Medina County, Martin said.

Packages usually contain about $300 worth of items, and are sent in about five boxes. Add in shipping costs, and the cost rises to about $500, Martin said.

The legion raises money through a myriad of fundraisers, one of which is a fish fry every Friday night that begins at 4:30.

Although a sub-zero wind chill meant a small gathering on Friday night, Martin said in the warmer months as many as 80 people show up for fish dinners that cost $5.75 a plate.

He said the soldiers love the packages simply because they are “something from home.”

Because they contain so many items, the soldiers usually divvy up the contents and distribute them to other members of their platoon.

There are limits to what the post can send: No glass or aerosol containers are permitted.

Chocolate also is unofficially forbidden, because “with the heat over there, it melts all over the box,” Martin said.

Post 523 Adjutant Greg Udics said he is most proud of a flag that was sent to the post from a soldier in Iraq. The soldier had everyone in his platoon sign the flag, which hangs at the American Legion Hall, 120 Bank St.

Udics also has dozens of notes from soldiers thanking him and the post.

One letter sent from a specialist stationed at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait reads: “I just wanted to tell you how much my battle buddies and I appreciated everything. It really means a lot to have that kind of support from people back home.”

The letters mean a lot to Udics, who said he expects nothing in return for the post’s work.

“To think that they’re so busy over there, and then to take time to write me an e-mail — it gets even me going,” he said.

The Lodi post was founded in 1912, and has been sending care packages for about two years, Martin said.

Anyone interested in supporting the effort or who has questions, may call the post at 330-948-1523.

Hlavinka may be reached at 330-721-4048 or lhlavinka@ohio.net.