VFW Post 1126 Seeks Signatures For Book To Be Sent To Boston First Responders
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
A book to honor the Boston police and fire departments’ first responders will be sent to Boston’s Mayor Thomas Menino. The book currently includes signatures and messages to Boston first responders from Mayor Joe Thallemer, Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker, Warsaw Fire Chief Mike Brubaker and Kosciusko County Sheriff Rocky Goshert. The officials thank Boston first responders with written messages for their relief efforts and leadership during the Boston bombings. Other signatures are from local law enforcement and first responders, local businesses, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126 members, clubs and local organizations. During the Boston Marathon April 15, two pressure-cooker bombs exploded, killing three people and injuring 264. The bombs exploded near the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston. Bud Miller, VFW Post 1126 member, purchased a black book at Walmart and had Graycraft Signs Plus, Warsaw, complete the gold lettering on the outside of the book. Miller said he came up with the idea of local officials and residents signing the book to send to Boston as a way to show Boston that Warsaw was thinking about them. Miller said the plan is to mail the book to the Boston mayor when it is full with messages. “I saw on television that law enforcement had said they had found the bombers and the crowd chanted USA, and it made me very emotional,” Miller said. “We want to let the first responders know they are appreciated.” “I’d like to let the first responders know we are behind them,” VFW Post 1126 Commander Rex Rife said. “When first responders go in they don’t always know what they are going into, and they do their job thanklessly.” People who want to sign the book can do so Mondays through Saturdays from 1 to 9 p.m. at VFW Post 1126, 1350 W. Center St., Warsaw. People also can call the VFW post at 574-267-2768 to have the book dropped off at a business for employees to sign.
