Support Our Heroes: They need to know they are not forgotten

To the Editor:
I started the Support Our Heroes Foundation foundation when my son, Luis A. Mercado, was sent to Iraq in 2004. His platoon consisted of over 300 men and women, some of whom never received any mail or care packages because they had no family.
My son asked me for extra packages to distribute within his platoon. It was very costly to send items for so many people. That was when I decided to open the foundation and ask help from my family, friends and neighbors.
I adopted two to three platoons at a time, and when one platoon returns I adopt another. I send much-needed items throughout their whole tour. Recently last June I adopted two platoons from my hometown of New Windsor, N.Y. Both platoons lost men due to explosions a month after being in Afghanistan. Our community assumes that we no longer have military personnel overseas, whether the president is keeping things quiet or the lack of coverage from the media. That is definitely not the case.
It's really a shame that I have to remind everyone every year that our military needs our support and that they are definitely not forgotten. No one will ever understand the pain or worrying a parent or spouse go through, unless you yourself have a love one in the front lines fighting at a war.
Fourteen years later I didn't think that I would still be mailing packages to our troops, but sadly that is the case. I need help from our community, whether they are items, monetary donations, or stamps. Any donations will be greatly appreciated, no donation is too small. Items needed at the present time are, snacks, energy drinks and bars, toothbrushes, toothpaste, handwarmers, and much more. If you prefer to make a monetary donation please make checks out to Support Our Heroes and mail them to:
c/o Lucy Mercado
18 Windsor Square Drive
New Windsor, NY 12553
My email is supportheroes@aol.com. The website supportourheroes.today. My cell is 845-590-4325.
I want to thank everyone for their help and kindness with the foundation and keeping it alive.
Lucy Mercado
New Windsor