135 Boxes for July 4th - Fun & Fitness Program Director and Forever Young TV Show Host Jim Seeley made sure 135 Priority Mail boxes were mailed correctly last June 2nd to Baghdad to guarantee they would be there in time for U.S. soldiers to celebrate July 4th. Weighing more than a ton, all the boxes were shipped to soldiers who had asked for towels, soap and shampoo from home. Donations also included movies, candy, snacks and games. Soldiers' response to the 135 packages? "Awesome, man. Awesome!"

By Cynthia Neu

Annandale, VA- "It must be Christmas, not the 4th of July!" U.S. Army Sgt. Shawn Fanelli of Annandale sent that text message to his parents just days ago when 135 boxes filled with towels and personal supplies arrived to his 64th Company G outside Baghdad. "We were overwhelmed,!" he wrote!! "Totally could not believe it!"
     "Thank goodness all the boxes arrived," wrote back is father Sam Fanelli, a member of the Fun & Fitness Travel Club in Northern Virginia. Sam had recently brought to the club's attention the personal needs of U.S. soldiers stationed with his son in Iraq.
     "We have enough to share with other units," wrote Sgt. Fanelli. "Thank you, thank you, thank you guys!," his text message read.
Later that evening step-mom, Kathy Fanelli, on her computer in Annandale, made contact with Shawn in Baghdadvia instant messaging.
     "Mom," he wrote, "you cannot believe what this means to everyone. It shows you guys really care. The toothpaste, the soap, the shampoo and massive towels! The candy, it's all the real stuff coming from home. Even the movies! It’s not fake stuff they try to pass off here as American-made. The stuff you guys sent is really what we remember and miss so much from home. The towels are awesome! Word spread among soldiers out in the desert. They've come to our unit looking for towels and we're giving them towels too. We have enough towels now to last until Jesus comes again! How can we ever thank you enough?" he wrote.
     His Mom wrote back, "Shawn, remember I always told you to be careful what you wished for." They were laughing together though separated by half a world.
   "What is so incredible," wrote Shawn, "is your club did this without even knowing any of us guys." Kathy wrote, "What is more incredible, son, is that you fellows are over there without knowing any of us. We thank you. Everybody thanks you."
     "Good night, Mom," he wrote. "I'm off to take a hot shower with my new cotton towels!"

Best wishes to everyone this July 4th Holiday. Fun & Fitness staff members thank you sincerely for rallying your support to help our soldiers in Iraq. Donations came from hundreds of sources. More than a ton of personal supplies were shipped to Baghdad because of your generosity. Everything has arrived in time for our Independence Day Holiday! God Bless the USA and our Postal Service, especially Merrifield Post Office where Sam Fanelli works.

There will be no monthly meeting in July. Enjoy the holiday!Next monthly luncheon will be Monday, Aug. 4th at Fuddrucker's Restaurant in Annandale, VA.