AMVETS Post 44 to send giant Christmas card to Marines in Iraq

BOARDMAN — John “J.P.” Brown III didn’t receive any cards or well wishes while serving two tours of duty as part of the Navy during the Vietnam War.

Brown, a former national and state AMVETS commander, and his wife, Jan, who is commander of AMVETS Post 44, are making sure the same doesn’t happen to a group of soldiers serving in Iraq.

Post 44 today kicked off its first “Operation Christmas Card,” which will send a giant card signed by members of the community to a Marine unit stationed in Iraq. Community members can sign the card Wednesday at AT&T in Boardman and Thursday at Struthers Middle School and the VA Outpatient Clinic on Belmont Avenue in Youngstown.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com