HSE Jeans for a Cause Supports G.I.s in Hot Spots Around the Globe

(Reprinted from Half Hollow Hills East H.S. "Perspectives" Principal's Newsletter 10/10/08)

Every other week for the past year, teachers and staff at High School East have contributed $1.00 each to wear “jeans for a cause”. The funds collected on these casual Fridays have been donated to Suffolk County Homefront, Inc. and organization that supports American military personnel or units from Suffolk County who are deployed to hostile areas of operation around the world. The organization’s main goal is to lessen the burden of “out-of-pocket expenses incurred by service members who may be purchasing safety-related and other essential supplies” to supplement their government-issue gear. In addition, the group takes special interest in welcoming returned troops, supporting wounded GIs in their recovery efforts and honoring those who have died.

Suffolk County Homefront, Inc. was founded to honor the memory of Marine Corporal Matthew V. Dillon, a relative of one of the organization’s members. Corporal Dillon was killed in action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq on December 11, 2006. Already a Purple Heart recipient, Corporal Dillon returned to Iraq as a military police officer. While serving as a fire team leader, his humvee struck an improvised explosive device which killed him and two fellow Marines. This action earned Corporal Dillon a posthumous Purple Heart with a gold star.

There are many times when the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq seem to fade into the background as we lead our daily lives. Even as we go to class, work or visit with friends and family, men and women just like us are doing the extraordinary work of soldiers in a combat zone. As the day begins at High School East, night is falling in Iraq and Afghanistan and a squad mans its observation post. Our Friday night out is a Saturday dawn patrol in Ramadi or Kandahar. As the school year goes on, remember the men and women around the globe who are ready at a moment’s notice to risk their lives in defense of their comrades and in pursuit of a completed mission. We are proud to make High School East a small part of showing solidarity with Suffolk County’s service men and women and all those who wear an American uniform. More information can be found at www.suffolkcountyhomefront.org .

Special thanks to Ms. Karen Giordano, R. N. for her help with this article.

At Left: A Marine sergeant in Ramadi, Iraq           At Right:  A soldier in Afghanistan

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