Northern Virginia American Legion Members and Target Team up Thursday to Send Goods to Troops Attacked in Afghanistan

WHO:

WHAT:

Legionnaires will gather at the Target Store and purchase thousands of dollars worth of DVDs, video games, books, magazines and other comfort items for surviving Fort Carson- based Bravo Troop 3-61 Cavalry soldiers who remain in Afghanistan or are recovering from battle. The items will be transported from the store to American Legion Post 28 for a packing and shipping party.

WHEN:

WHERE:

First location: The Target Store: 4310 Fortuna Center Plaza, Dumfries, Va.

Second location: American Legion Post 28 at 17934 Liming Lane, Triangle, Va.

WHY:

An Oct. 3 attack on a U.S. Army combat outpost in the rugged Nuristan province of Afghanistan claimed the lives of eight American soldiers. Fifty-six survivors of the attack were forced to call in a strike on their own position, intentionally destroying the camp and all of their personal possessions. The troops escaped with little more than the clothes on their backs. Soon afterward, a soldier from the ill-fated Bravo Troop 3-61 Cavalry out of Fort Carson, Colo., sent an e-mail to The American Legion. He wrote that “most people at home don’t even know…no one gives a …” His plea were posted on The American Legion Burn Pit blog along with a call for donations to help the soldiers replace their personal items. The COP Keating Relief Fund was established with a goal of raising $16,800 to buy the soldiers I-Pods to help them pass the time and help relieve them from the strain of combat stress. Within five days, the Combat Outpost Keating Relief Fund raised more than $50,000 in cash donations from visitors of The American Legion Burn Pit. Target matched that with a contribution of $50,000 in merchandise and Target Gift Cards. Computer Science Corp. of Connecticut announced plans to donate 56 laptop computers.