The outpouring of support for the Air Force troops stationed temporarily at the Grant County Airport has been tremendous. The Lunch with the Troops event for May was attended by over 50 people.

The troops are here for one or two weeks at a time and rotated back to Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane. Rotating the troops is a smart way to work the situation, because otherwise the Air Force would be required to give personnel TDY or Temporary Duty pay.

While they are here, they get no time off and work 12 to 14 hour shifts. This is why it is so valued and treasured by the civilian community to be able to steal the airwomen and airmen away from their duty stations for an hour or so for lunch.

Last Tuesday we were fortunate enough to have 10 of the Air Force personnel join a bunch of civilians for lunch at the Porterhouse Steakhouse. Their duties in the military ranged from vehicle driver, mechanic, personnel, security and a pilot.

Rock 'n' Roll Legend, avid hunter and troop supporter Ted Nugent was not able to call during the lunch, but he sent the following message:

"Way up in QB (Quebec, Canada) at bear camp. No phones! Plz read this to em (the troops):

"Greetings my American Blood Brothers. From the Nugent family & freedom lovers everywhere, we send you sincere heartfelt greetings and hardcore appreciation for your warrior dedication and sacrifices for The American Way.

"Know that all people who dearly care about good over evil SALUTE you all for volunteering to put yourselves in harm's way on behalf of good people across the fruited planes.

"Be safe, stand strong, and we pray daily for your safety and safe return home.

"God bless you all, Godspeed, carryon. Ted Nugent and family."

A Buck Knife, Model 110, Folding Hunter, sponsored by LarsonAllen LLP, and a Wenger Swiss Army Knife, sponsored by Shawn Koethke of Country Insurance, were raffled for the benefit of the fund, "Operation Warm Heart." The fund is used by first sergeants of the various units to assist troops in need.

The raffle was administered by Becky Hill, Manager of the Moses Lake American Legion Post 209, to make sure all state raffle rules were followed. The agreement was for the American Legion Post to split the money with Operation Warm Heart, but, in the end, Becky, speaking for the Post, donated their half to the fund also.

Grant County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Jones' name was drawn for one of the knives and he picked the Buck. Garnet Wilson's name was drawn and she received the Wenger. Both knives were etched: "Lunch with the Troops, May 2011."

Both a Wenger and a Buck will be raffled each month with similar etching. I am looking for knife sponsors for each knife for each month.

Enid Rita Mayrant represented the Grant County Historical Society and passed out a coffee mug, with the Society logo, to each of the troops. She also left 10 mugs for upcoming luncheons.

The idea is to place the names of each troop in a hat and, when their name is called, have them pick from a variety of gifts, so they will leave with something saying Columbia Basin or Moses Lake on it.

Mike Davis offered a .50 caliber shell made into a ballpoint pen to give away each month and Todd Leavitt, of Miller's Fine Jewelers, engraved each with the same language as the knives.

Shirt Builders had T-shirts available and Desert Graphics offered water bottles. The Columbia Basin Herald had both their picture book and their sports book on the table.

Connie Jo is having a ball at the luncheons. Last month she had a small sack with an Easter card inside, along with some Easter candy. This month she had a handwritten card with peanuts, chocolate kisses, jellybeans and other goodies.

Plus, she found a sale on boxes of crackers of several different brands and cookies too. Connie Jo asked each airman to take two boxes and share with their friends. She had 20 of the sacks of candy, so I asked if she wanted to give the other 10 away at the next luncheon.

"No," she said. "Today we'll give each two sacks to share with friends. I have a Fourth of July theme planned for the next luncheon."

Port of Moses Lake Commissioner Brian McGowan was on hand to present each airman with a Port of Moses Lake commemorative coin.

A man approached me after the luncheon and gave me his card, which has now been misplaced. He asked me if his business could sponsor a knife and the answer is yes. He also asked if his business could bring gifts to give to the troops and, again, the answer is yes. Sir, please contact me.

Giving gifts at the luncheons is a great way to show our appreciation. It is not required, but if a business or individual feel the urge, such as Connie Jo does, feel free to bring it/them along. Each person from Fairchild left the luncheon with a sack of goodies. To them it is as if they are receiving a care package from home.

The next Lunch with the Troops event is scheduled for June 21 at the Porterhouse Steakhouse from noon to 1 p.m.

A buffet will be offered for $10, which will include the tip and non-alcoholic beverage, making the salad, sandwich and soup assortment, well within the price range for a typical lunch.

People wanting to attend the June 21 luncheon are asked to call me at: Home: 762-5158 or Cell: 750-0541. Or the Porterhouse Steakhouse at: 766-0308. We won't turn anyone away, but we need to have an approximate head count. I've said this before and I'll say it again here: I'm anxious to see Porterhouse managers, Sam and Cale, scrambling to accommodate 200-plus attendees.