LETTER FROM A FRIEND

To the Editors of the Crimson:

Dear Friend:

A lonely Vietnam veteran lies wounded in a hospital. He has come home, there are no flags waving, no parades honoring his return and no songs written about his bravery. All he seems to hear and see are cries about this "immoral war." He thinks no one really cares about the sacrifices he has made for his country...

Someone does care about the wounded Vietnam veterans. You care, and so do millions of Americans who appreciate the hardships endured by these men. Over 30,000 wounded are still hospitalized. How can we show our gratitude to these gallant men as they face the tough road ahead to rehabilitation?

The answer is Project Appreciation. Project Appreciation is a united effort by patriotic citizens to demonstrate how we care. Organized by young Americans for Freedom. Project Appreciation distributes thousands of Appreciation Kits to wounded Vietnam veterans in hospitals. These kits are filled with personal items (toothpaste, pens, writing paper, etc.) that the veterans need so badly.

Coming voluntarily from generous citizens, the Appreciation Kits are a tremendous morale booster to our men.

Young Americans for Freedom is particularly well-suited to head up this project. As the largest anti-Communist youth organization--with 66,000 members in over 800 chapters--these young patriots are volunteering their time to pack and deliver the kits to the hospitals. Unlike the far left radicals who can only criticize our boys, YAFers are grateful citizens.

Reaching these wounded veterans is only possible when enough good citizens like yourself support it financially. Each Appreciation Kit costs $9.20. We need many contributions of $9.20, $18.40, $55.20, $92.00 and $184.00. Keep in mind, these Kits contain personal items not provided by the government...Will you help?

Can Project Appreciation repair a Gl's shattered limbs? No, of course not; but in a small way Project Appreciation is letting our servicemen know Americans do care.

Open your heart to our wounded veterans. Please help. Sincerely,   Marsha Mitchell