Cookies for a good cause
It is hard as we complain about the 90-degree temperatures of Massachusetts

to remember we don't have it so bad.

We have air conditioned homes and offices. We have lakes, pools and oceans. We will get a break soon from high summer temperatures.

We have to remember that as we "swelter" in the heat of Massachusetts summer days, there are American military men and women who are serving this country in the deserts of the Middle East, where they are happy when it cools down to 90 degrees at night.

Ashburnham Troop 18 Scout Master Dennis Cormier was reminded of this when he received a call at 3 p.m. on Monday, July 31, from a former troop member, Ashburnham native Army SPC E-4 Stephen McCarthy.

McCarthy is stationed in Iraq and is doing well, said Cormier.

Cormier decided after his conversation with the Oakmont Regional High School graduate that the best thing he could do to support his former troop member was give him one of the things he was missing the most - homemade baked goods.

We need to support and applaud Cormier's effort.

Cormier's desire to provide McCarthy and his unit with one of the touches of home they are missing should encourage us all to look for ways to support the men and women serving oversees.

We honor soldiers every year in May and November. Now we must take a little of time in August to remember those serving overseas.

Cormier is organizing a drive to collect baked goods that will not melt, so chocolate chips are not a good plan but chocolate brownies are fine. Also needed powdered drinks.

We should thank McCarthy and the members of his unit for their service, ignore the heat and turn on our ovens for 20 minutes to bake a batch of cookies.

There are two ways to support Cormier's effort. One is to mail the baked goods to:

SPC E-4 Stephen McCarthy 18th Eng. Beb. 3-2 SBCT FOB Marez

APO Box 8E-09334

Or drop the goodies off at Cormier's home at 104 Ashby Road, so he can package and mail it.