Parishes help members of the U.S. armed forces as a way to honor their service

Friday, Nov. 14, 2014

SALT LAKE CITY  — As Veterans Day was celebrated in the United States Nov. 11,  community members all across the country have raised awareness of the needs of the American soldiers.

In the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, Saint John the Baptist Parish in Draper has an ongoing program called “Coupons for Military,” in which they ask the community to cut and collect the ‘Red Plum,’ ‘Smart Source’ or ‘P&G Brand Saver’ coupons from the Sundays newspapers and put them in a special box located in the parish’s gathering space. The coupons then are given to overseas military members, who can use them at the post exchange (PX).

“When I moved to Utah three years ago they were looking for new projects at the parish, so this one was mentioned,” said Mary Ann Bennett, who is in charge of the program.

“Our group gets together about every five weeks and we cut and separate the food and nonfood coupons, and then I mail them to a list of bases that use this opportunity,” said Bennett, adding that the government extends the life of the coupons by six months.

The bases that receive the coupons are located mainly in Europe and Asia.

“I just rotate through the list every five weeks; we cover the Marines, the Navy, the Army, the Air Force bases,” said Bennett, whose husband served in the military. “This is important because we owe our lives to our military people. Anything we can do counts. … This is a very small way to help, to give back something.”

Other parishes in the diocese also honor veterans. For example, at Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Kearns, the Council of Catholic Women collected items and sent care packages to soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan.

The Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, called on faithful to pray for the U.S. veterans on Veterans Day.

“Veterans Day invites us to pause for a moment and reflect on the lives of men and women who respond and responded to the needs of our nation,” he said in a press release. “As it is November, a month dedicated to prayers for the dead, we remember many members of the Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice or who died of natural causes later in life.

“However, we cannot forget those who continue to suffer the effects of their wounds either in mind or in body. They carry the reminders of their commitment and their past with them always. We pray for them, too, and we ask the Lord to give them consolation and healing.

“The occasion is also propitious to remember the families who mourn the loss of a loved one or who support a disabled veteran. We pray and offer them our support.”