Unit Shows Support from Lacrosse Teams Sponsors
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
By: Linda Patterson

Troops give thanks in their Newsletters from Iraq

Boys’ Varsity and JV Lacrosse teams from Commack School District, Commack, NY, have joined a program called Americans Supporting Americans (ASA). Coaches felt the teams should be a part of giving back to the community through the ASA non-profit organization. ASA has developed a “foster” program with high school, college, and club lacrosse teams, which show their support for the troops. Commack Lacrosse was given their very own Troop to adopt- 10th SBTB’s soldiers at Camp Taji, Iraq. On Friday May 8th, the boys gathered at Commack Middle School to show their support by putting together care packages with such items as toiletries, magazines, snack foods, writing ma- terials, games, etc. Some of the boys wrote sincere letters of thanks to the service members and some have asked to become pen pals. The Lacrosse boys raised money through a raffle fundraiser to donate to ASA and continue to send care packages to Camp Taji . They hope to continue giving back to the community in years to follow.

The members of 10th SBTB are very grateful for the support of the athletes and coaches from Commack and send a heartfelt “Thank You” to each member!

The Eastern York Knights Lacrosse Club is another team joining the ASA “Adopt-a-Unit” program. They have made monetary donations to support ASA’s mission and have sent numerous care packages to deployed 10th SBTB soldiers. The players are learning to “honor the game” with their actions on and off the field. They have created a defensive play they call “ARMY.” The nature of the play helps drive home the mes- sage of “honor”. Says Coach Bob Rhein, “…the play requires outstanding effort ,selfless participation, a willingness to help others, sharp mental awareness, courage, determination, guts, passion, and desire. We have helped them to learn not to give up until they accomplish the goal…Interesting in that this is what our brave women and men in the 10th Sustainment Troops Battalion do every day while serving our great nation.” The Knights’ teams recognized their mothers during halftime of their games Mother’s Day weekend. During the U- 13 game, a specially designed MULESKINNER/ KNIGHTS lacrosse stick was debuted and pre- sented to officials. A few of these sticks, created by Dustin Dohm, owner of Stylin’ Strings (stylinstrings.com), will be sent to HHC at Camp Taji as a tribute to all the mothers that are serving