Safe Entertainment for Soldiers

Gresham, OR, July 2009- Kris Howatt started collecting videos for Operation DVD over two years ago.  She first became aware of the program after reading about it in a magazine, and quickly looked for more information.  Operation DVD aims to provide safe entertainment for deployed soldiers.  For servicemen in Iraq and Afghanistan, traditional entertainments like baseball are proving dangerous because of attacks by snipers, mines, and bombs.  As a result, servicemen have limited options during their downtime.  Operation DVD’s goal is to establish DVD libraries at each of the bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, to provide safe, quality entertainment.  This may be the only opportunity for safe entertainment that some soldiers will enjoy during their tour.

After learning about Operation DVD’s goal, Howatt requested some collection boxes to place locally.  Boxes were placed at North Gresham Grade School, Highland Elementary, and the Gresham Barlow District Office.  Students collected over 145 different titles for American servicemen.  Collection at the schools has ended for the summer, but the box at the district office is still open for donations.