Leslie Dimmling, Chapter Project Patriot Chairman, and Mary Poole, veteran, at the NSDAR raffle table at the Cathedral Memorial Day Fair. Photo by Isabelle Smith. The Colonel Aaron Ogden Chapter of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, would like to thank those who visited our table at the Cathedral's Memorial Day Fair to support Project Patriot, our effort to help our wounded soldiers.

The Chapter raised $250 by the sale of chances for two patriotic theme baskets of goodies. The first basket was won by Maureen Cassidy of Malverne. The second basket was won by Melanie Henderson , daughter of Frank and LaVonne Henderson of Garden City. In addition to funds raised with chances, many fair-goers were kind enough to simply make a donation to the cause. Amazingly, this included a number of children who felt moved to help our soldiers.

Project Patriot is an NSDAR project which seeks to assist wounded soldiers who are evacuated out of Afghanistan and Iraq, and sent for immediate treatment to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, an American military hospital based in Germany. The program uses the money to provide phone cards, clothing , sneakers and any other assistance our soldiers require during their recovery.

Beside the money raised, over 20 fair-goers took the time to write a card to a wounded soldier. These cards will be forwarded to the Chaplain at Landstuhl for distribution to the injured. A card from home, even from a stranger, can mean a great deal to a soldier who is hurt and far from home and family. It is good for them to know the good wishes and prayers of the American people are behind them.

Combined with money raised at a prior Chapter fundraiser, the total sent to Project Patriot by the Colonel Aaron Ogden Chapter was $305 dollars. The chapter also distributed approximately 75 small American flags at the Fair that day.

Our military people make our freedom possible and they deserve our support. Members of the chapter extend their thanks to all those who remembered our wounded Soldiers on Memorial Day and helped to make this effort a success.