Working to bring soldiers home for Christmas

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) – A Michigan State Representative is making an effort to ensure that 145 soldiers will get to spend Christmas at home.

The Michigan National Guard 1073 Maintenance Co. is currently at Fort Shelby Mississippi, preparing to deploy to Iraq. The soldiers will be receiving leave over Christmas, but many of them lack the resources needed to get back home.

Now, State Representative Brian Calley is stepping up and organizing an effort to provide transportation to any soldier from the 1073^rd that needs it.

"These brave men and women are about to spend a year in harm's way," said Calley. "I don't want a single one to miss this Christmas with their family."

Dean Transportation has agreed to provide buses and drivers to bring the soldiers home to Michigan.

"Dean Transportation has offered the use of their buses at less than half their actual costs in order to make this happen," said Calley.

The 1073^rd has 145 soldiers, and it is believed that at least 91 of them will be making use of the buses to get back home. The goal is to get every soldier back for the holidays, but to accomplish that, $12,100 needs to be raised. Rep. Calley has pledged $3,000 towards the goal and is asking citizens to help if they can.

Those wishing to contribute can make out a check to the VFW Post 4406 and mail it to:

148 Bridge St.

Belding, MI 18809.

The memo section of the check should say 'Greenville Soldiers.' The Belding VFW has agreed to be the central collection point for contributions.

Any excess funds collected will go to the family support center for the 1073^rd.