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Pottsville veteran brings holiday cheer overseas
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share thisA World War II veterans group is hoping to send some Christmas cheer to those serving their country.
Russell Ruch, Pottsville, secretary/treasurer of the Broad Mountain Chapter, 159th Engineer Combat Battalion, World War II Inc., is sending cards to service people on active duty again this year and asking anyone who has a loved one in the service to get their names and addresses to the group.
"Usually we put the notice in church bulletins, but we like to get to as many soldiers as we can, so we want to get the word out," Ruch said.
The group began sending the cards about four years ago and Ruch said he has received many responses from service people stating how much they enjoyed hearing from "home."
"We thought we ought to be doing something for our military people and we thought the Christmas cards were a good idea," Ruch said. "We were sending the cards to all of our members, so we extended it to our active service people."
The card is the same every year, a single-sided copy of a card Ruch sent to his mother while he was stationed in Luxembourg in 1944.
Ruch found the card in the pages of his mother's Bible when she died in the 1980s.
"I write a little something on the back," Ruch said. "I wish them well and let them know that either their parish or the citizens of Schuylkill County wish them well. I end by saying an old World War II expression, 'Keep your head and your butt down.'" Ruch said last year 62 men and women received the card.
Ruch and fellow members, President Jack Stitzer, Gordon, and Vice President Bob Lerch, Frackville, send the cards all around the world. He asks if anyone knows a soldier who would like to receive a card, he needs to receive the name no later than Dec. 1.
"The U.S. is no problem, but overseas could take awhile,' Ruch said.
Anyone who would like a card sent to a military person should send the name and address to Ruch at 709 N. Seventh St., Pottsville, PA 17901. To have a card sent, send names and addresses to:
Russell Ruch
709 N. Seventh St.
Pottsville, PA 17901
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