Middletown collects supplies for local Marine stationed in Afghanistan Bayshore Courier News Posted:03/04/10
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Monmouth County, NJ - Middletown's Support the Troops Program has been reactivated to collect supplies for U.S. Marine Corps First Lieutenant Nicholas Abbate, a life-long resident stationed in Afghanistan. Donations will be accepted March 3 through April 5 at Middletown Town Hall, 1 Kings Highway and the Middletown Main Library, 55 New Monmouth Rd.
Abbate, a weapons company platoon commander, and his 80-plus member infantry unit are dispersed throughout the Helmond Province. Suggested donations include black boots socks since there are no showers and soldiers must change their socks often. Instant foods such as ramen noodles, Easy Mac, tea bags, hot cocoa and others that only require hot water to prepare are a welcome respite from daily MREs (Meals, Ready to Eat). Other needed supplies include batteries (AA, AAA, C,D, 3-volt), cookies and other snacks, toothbrushes and toothpaste, razors and non-aerosol shaving cream, baby wipes, toilet paper, Q-tips, and pens. Children's art work and personal notes from home are always a welcome addition to care packages.
Abbate is a graduate of St. James Grammar School and Christian Brothers Academy. He graduated from the Naval Academy, Quantico, Va in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering and a minor in French. Abbate then received a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. After completing an infantry officer course he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Regiment Marines stationed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Abbate served a tour of duty in Iraq before heading to Afghanistan.
More than two tons of supplies generously donated by local businesses and families have been shipped to soldiers serving in the Middle East since 2007. Middletown's Support the Troops Program, spearheaded by Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger, previously adopted paratroopers from Charlie Co., 1BSTB, 82nd Airborne Division during their 2007-2008 deployment to Iraq and Army Sgt. Eric McCoy, Delta Company, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion during his 2008-2009 deployment to Iraq. The program is managed through the township's Emergency Management Office and supported by Middletown VFW 2179. Call Cindy Herrschaft at 732-615-2287 for more information.
