Fingers are crossed for Songs for the Troops' project at Chester, Warwick, four other schools
Concert for soldiers in Iraq set for Dec. 18, By Linda Smith Hancharick Chester As everyone prepares for the holidays, Chester middle school principal Ernest Jackson is preparing to give one tremendous gift to his old Army unit that was just deployed for the fourth time to Iraq a holiday concert videoconferenced live from six different schools in the county. Jackson announced his plans in October and has been working on getting the whole event together. Last Friday he executed a communication check with the unit, the 7th Regiment Cotton Balers. “Once we do the communication check, we’ll know better what still needs to be done,” said Jackson before that happened. “A lot depends on Iraq.” The concert has been set for Tuesday, Dec. 18, from 11:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m., with a snow date of Thursday, Dec. 20. Jackson has gotten great feedback from the community and the media. He has been contacted by television stations which want to be on-hand for the concert. Also, local Veteran of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts will participate. Jackson knows what these guys are going through, having been in the U.S. Army for 20 years, and having spent many holidays away from his family. “I hated being away from my family, but somebody’s got to do it,” he said. “This is our way of bringing a little bit of our holiday spirit to the guys over there.” So far, Jackson has commitments from C.J. Hooker Middle School in Goshen, Warwick Valley Middle School, Minisink Middle School, Monticello Middle School and Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School in Port Jervis, along with his own Chester Middle School. He hopes to make it a community event and invites anyone who wants to come to get in touch with him. He said it is a great opportunity for the kids and community members to have real-time contact with those serving in Iraq. Anyone in the local communities wishing to attend the concert should contact Jackson at ejackson@chester.ouboces.org or call him at 469-2231. Any changes to the schedule will be posted on the school’s Web site, www.chester.ny.schoolwebpages.com.