More than 100 cities in 21 states have now adopted military units through ?America Supporting Americans? and last night the Army thanked the organization?s founder, Linda Patterson.
Patterson was the honored guest at a Twilight Tattoo ceremony on the White House Ellipse and was later presented the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Award.
Patterson began the ASA program in 1967 by convincing the town of San Mateo, Calif., to adopt a company of the 101st Airborne Division serving in Vietnam. Members of the town sent letters and care packages to Soldiers of A Company, 1/327th Airborne Infantry.
Since then, ASA has helped other towns across the country adopt units in every conflict the Army has fought. Between wars, though, participation waned somewhat, Patterson said. But since the beginning of the Global War on Terror, the number of cities adopting units has tripled.
?We?re really moving,? said Patterson, adding that 20 cities in Kentucky have adopted units over the past four months.
http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/read.php?story_id_key=7446