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College Republicans collect donations outside Park Library to support troops in Afghanistan

By Rachel Mater on April 22, 2010 6:14 pm in Student Life / 5 comments

 

A banner bound for Afghanistan is full of signatures from well-wishers.

College Republicans held the second “Salute to the Troops” event Wednesday in Central Park, next to the Charles V. Park Library. A banner was supplied for students to sign and send to the Michigan Army National Guard’s 125th Infantry Division’s Company C of Wyoming, stationed in Afghanistan.

“I think people should always support the troops; some people don’t support the cause, but people should always support the troops,” said Canton freshman Richard Peters.

The CMU Bookstore donated 150 shirts and donations were accepted to help cover the shipping cost of the shirts.

“I know lots of people in the military — I’ve got family in the military and friends right here at CMU who are about to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan,” said Travis Faber, Battle Creek senior and member of the College Republicans.

Faber said only part of the unit is there now, so some not stationed stopped by and signed the banner.

Kevin Cotter, Republican candidate for State Representative of the 99th District, attended and said he knows someone nrecently out of the military. He said he thinks it will mean a lot to the troops.

“I think it also is good to bring awareness to the students here on campus as they see this and sign — it brings it to the forefront of their mind the sacrifices that others are making to protect our freedoms,” Cotter said.

Faber said he thinks students need to do more to support the troops.

“It takes half a second to sign your name to something that will hopefully bring a lot of joy to somebody that’s over in a country really far away from here,” Faber said.

The total amount of donations made was $23.91 and about 517 signed the banner.

Cotter said the troops’ efforts are very noble.

“They are putting their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, without our troops we would not have those freedoms,” he said.

 

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  • http://operationyellowelephant.blogspot.com/ Operation Yellow Elephant

    If the Central Michigan College Republicans really wanted to Support Our Troops, they would have invited a military recruiter to their event and encouraged their [male] members, if healthy and heterosexual, to sign up.

    Otherwise, it's not only a meaningless empty gesture, but actually an insult, and will not be well received downrange.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=714667404 Travis Faber

    Just for the record, I did ask army and marine recruiters if they wanted to come to the event last year and the declined. Military recruiters can't come to events sponsered by political groups because they are in uniform and U.S. military regulation states that soldiers can be court marshaled for attending military events or rallies in uniform. Your post shows a total lack of understanding of military regulation.

    That said, There is more to fighting a war than just serving in the armed forces. Yeah, those people that do it are some of the greatest Americans on earth, but they need our help, they need to know that the people that sent them over there are supporting them for the great sacrificer they make. What the College Republican's are doing, showing their support for the troops, is a vital part of every war effort this country has ever undertaken. That's why so many former and present military personnel came to the event to say thank you, because they know how important events like that are. What you need to ask yourselves is, what have I done to help the war effort and what have I done to help soldiers who are putting their lives on the line every day? Have you sent them care packs? Have you written one letter to a solider saying, “Thanks for what your doing, I'll keep you in my prayers”? Have you even taken 5 seconds out of your life to put your name on a thank you banner to thank some guys who might die on your behalf? If your only answer is, I attacked some people trying to show their support not for the war but simply for the soldiers serving on my behalf, you should be ashamed of yourself.

    If your not willing to stand behind the brave men and women in the U.S. military, feel free to stand in front of them when the bullets start flying.

    Travis Faber
    1st Vice Chair
    College Republicans at CMU

  • Midland Young Republicans

    I highly commend the CMU College Republicans for taking time to honor those fighting to keep us safe. Anything anyone can do is better then doing nothing. I do not think that Republican groups need to be attacking each other for things they are doing in the community to try to make a difference no matter how small or large the project. Operation Yellow Elephant should volunteer to help out at the event next year then to help make it better. We as Republicans need to ALL be working together. Yes, we may have differences in personal philosophy, but when it comes to events we need to ALL be standing behind each other and remember that in the long run it's about getting our message out to the public.

    Again good job CR's for your efforts

    Midland County Young Republicans

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=714667404 Travis Faber

    Operation Yellow Elephant is NOT a republican group. it's a meaningless blog set up to attack our country's military policy and those who support it. I guess that includes attacking those who support the troops.

  • support our troops

    In reading the above post by Travis, it noted that the military recruiter would not be allowed at the event. We also cannot assume that we know how it will be received downrange unless we are serving ourselves. Our men and women in uniform do actually like to be reminded that civilians are supporting them. Sometimes they even need to be reminded of that when a lot of what they hear is negative media. Also, we should be encouraging all those interested male and female to serve our country.