Remembering The Troops Can Go a Long Way

In observing Memorial Day, one cannot avoid thinking about all the troops overseas and their families back home. However, thinking is one thing; what we do with those thoughts is another. WesCorp recently conducted another “Support Our Troops Drive” at our workplace in San Dimas where everyone was invited to bring in such everyday items as magazines, snack foods, juice mixes, and toilet paper. The effort, the third drive we’ve conducted in the past eight months, is coordinated by one of our administrative assistants, Dorothy Rogers. Seems like an easy and everyday thing to do, right? Well, to some of us that might be the case, but to those on the other end of the receiving line, it’s a whole other story. We heard back from a number of the grateful recipients. One message in particular, from Chief David Sexton at Balad Air Base, North of Baghdad struck a chord with me. He writes, “Dear Ms. Rogers. Your care packages are arriving and are most welcome! Everything has found good homes..A warm and heartfelt `thank you’ to your outstanding group who have come to our aid. I pray for you all as well and am strengthened by America’s good people who love their sons and daughters who find themselves in harm’s way. This is a land that is harsh and wears away at you, but your reminders of home send us messages of care and love! Thank all your friends and know that we long to be back home with our families and you too, who have become Our Family! CW3 David Sexton” Now consider how David Sexton, his family back home, and all the other recipients view credit unions. Isn’t this a great way to build member relationships and even foster new ones while doing something that is needed and good? At a minimal cost, these kinds of expressions will be remembered and cherished for a lifetime. Just think of the impact we can make if we multiplied the effort throughout the 10,000-plus credit unions in America. Talk about public relations. Talk about membership growth! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Walter J. Laskos Director, Public Relations WesCorp San Dimas, Calif.