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HOLIDAY IDEA THE GIFT OF READING
 Books for the Troops (). T.L. Petersen Staff Writer Time. In the midst of a country at war Iraq there's still time to fill. And for David Memmott of Wordcraft of Oregon/Ice River Press, that time is best filled by reading. Memmott isn't alone in that belief. Lahna Avery of La Grande has a son, Justin Avery, who is serving in Iraq. Justin likes to read. But a year or more of books wasn't on any soldier's packing list when the troops headed to Iraq. Now Memmott, with the help of two local bookstores, the community, and some in-country assistance, is trying to make sure that when soldier's have the time, they have something to read. Jessica Lackaff of Earth 'n' Book, and Greg Johnson of Benjamin Brown Books & Billiards, both La Grande businesses, have set out collection boxes for paperback books for the troops. "We'll collect them on an on-going basis, Lackaff explained Tuesday. Johnson explained that about once a month the donated books will be collected and then Memmott or others will package them up and ship them to Kirkuk, where the 3-116th is based. Memmott and Avery have set it up, with Justin Avery's help, that Sgt. Daniel Daggett, the company's assistant chaplain, will maintain a library where the soldiers relax. Memmott's vision is that the soldiers can take a book, read it, and then return it or find another book. The idea, he said, should work for everyone. The soldiers get books to read, if they want. Used booksellers can help the troops, and provide a place for used books that they don't need. Family and friends of soldiers can contribute books that those serving might enjoy. The book donation program is just beginning, but Memmott, Lackaff and Johnson hope to keep it going for as long as the troops are in Iraq. Memmott adds that anyone who wants to make a direct book donation can ship them to Sgt. Daniel Daggett, Asst. Chaplain; HHC 3-116th, 116th BCT; APO AE 09368 And when the troops come home? "If Iraqis end up with some good books, that's OK," he says. |
