THOMPSON: OPERATION DVD GETS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, REQUESTING DVD’S FOR SOLDIERS FIGHTING WAR ON TERROR

            Assemblyman Sam Thompson is calling on New Jerseyans to help support soldiers fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere by providing them a safe means of entertainment during downtime. The program is Operation DVD, a nationwide campaign to collect movie DVDs and music CDs that will be sent to war zones where safe recreation is limited because of snipers, IED’s and other terrorist activity.

            Thompson was able to bring together 29 legislators from the Senate and Assembly in a bipartisan manner who promised to provide additional support and locations for collection boxes.

            “Operation DVD is a great program that I’m very proud of standing behind. As a veteran who comes from a family with a rich military history, I understand first-hand that soldiers need safe entertainment to help cope with the stress of missions and to keep up morale,” said Thompson, R- Middlesex and Monmouth. “I encourage every American to lend a hand and pitch in whatever they can. Every DVD we collect sends an inspirational message to our troops that says: we care and appreciate your hard efforts and personal sacrifice.”

            Thompson first heard about Operation DVD while reading a veteran’s newsletter. He is an army vet of the Korean War and has eight family members who served for the Marines, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard; his wife served for the British Women’s Royal Army Corp. After finding out about the program, he championed the cause by reaching out to his fellow legislators to help the program get off the ground in New Jersey.

            “We have organized over 40 collection sites statewide from Camden to Bergen County and from Warren to Ocean County in addition to my counties of Middlesex and Monmouth.  My gracious colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, are helping set up collection boxes in their district offices and more in municipal buildings and stores,” stated Thompson. “With the additional collection bins, we can now call on all New Jerseyans to contribute used or new DVDs and music CDs for our soldiers.”

            Operation DVD is an official program of AMVETS (a nationally chartered veterans organization in existence for over sixty years).

            “I wanted to give the program additional strength by getting legislators and state residents involved,” Thompson said.

            Thompson is well regarded by veterans throughout the state. Recently, he was named Jewish War Veterans Legislator of the Year 2006; as well as the 2005 Legislator of the Year from the NJ Veterans of Foreign Wars. In addition, Thompson also lead a group of 600 veterans on a trip to the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 2004.

            Additional information about Operation DVD can be acquired by contacting Thompson’s district office or by visiting www.OperationDVD.us. Questions about AMVETS can be directed to Barbara Horowitz, National District One Commander and Programs Director for NJ AMVETS at 609-871-0547. Ed Baldinger, First Vice Commander of NJ AMVETS, is also available for comment.

Let us all give a big HOORAY to New Jersey AMVETS and Assemblyman Sam Thompson!!!!!