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FM100's Jill Atwood ReportingWith Memorial Day approaching and a war in the Middle East well into its third year, American soldiers and their families say they need support now more than ever. Jill Atwood, from our sister station FM100, introduces us to a woman who doesn't want anyone to forget a soldier's sacrifice.
Chief Warrant Officer Justin Sasso is a blackhawk pilot with the United States Army. This is his second tour in Iraq. He's spent more time in a war zone than he has with his new wife.
From the moment he first left, his mom Carla Hitz, knew she had to step up and do something for Justin, for his fellow soldiers and for their families.
Carla Hitz, Founder, "We Love Our Soldiers": "We have wives and husbands trying to care for their children while praying every night for the safety and well-being of their soldier who is serving in harm's way and that is a toll that makes all of us battle weary."
Hitz started "We Love Our Soldiers", a small grass roots operation that now, thousands of care packages later, has taken on a life of its own.
Carla Hitz: "Every single soldier serving needs, deserves our support from home. They need to have their morale boosted; they need to be assured that we are not going to forget them."
Carla points out that time goes by pretty quickly for the average person, but when you're marking time, day by day it can seem like a lifetime, especially when you have someone in harm's way.
As each day passes, Carla grows restless; she loves her son, but admits she hates the war and she worries with no resolution in sight.
Carla Hitz: "The soldiers are weary. You can only stay focused and on task for a finite period of time. You can't have repeated deployments and have the same level of preparedness and awareness."
But Carla remains focused on Justin, on her work and on her promise to somehow make a difference.
"We Love Our Soldiers" accepts items at various drop off points throughout the Salt Lake Valley. Cash is also welcome, as well as letters to soldiers eager for just a little taste of home.
