On December 19, 2007 concerned Citrus County citizens Mary Johnson, Linda Sue Jolicoeur and Jo Anne Boggus saw the good deeds that Barbara Mills has been doing with her Citrus County Heroes Welcome Home Basket program as they single handedly organized a Christmas Block Party-Fundraiser for our local troops returning from the Global War on Terrorism.

Over 40 of their neighbors, friends and family attended this fundraiser, each bringing a gift card as a donation for the local troops to the Citrus County Heroes Welcome Home Program, as their way of saying thanks for serving our Country and us. The neighbors and friends consisted of Retired Veterans, Doctors, Teachers, and even a spouse of an active duty military Army Soldier who is currently deployed, a musician all packed the home of Mrs. Johnson.

This was more than a neighborhood fundraiser as they made it a block Christmas Party as Mr. John De Santis a retired musician who played the Harmonica in the famous “Ray Welcome Trio” in such places like Las Vegas. Mr. De Santis came ready and prepared as he broke out his harmonica and started off by playing Anchor’s Away the United States Navy’s theme song. He didn’t stop there as he honored each service by playing every service theme song with his harmonica.

Mr. De Santis was very sharp as he went on to play Christmas songs and with the lovely voice of Mrs. Pat Sadowski she sang Christmas songs as Mr. De Santis played his musical instrument. Mrs. Sadowski sang many songs including I’ll be home for Christmas, Jingle Bells and many more as the friends and neighbors sang along.

Everyone had a wonderful time during this three-hour event that Mrs. Johnson put on at her home as friends were dancing, swapping stories of when they were in the service, talking about their spouse, child or grandchild that is currently serving our great nation and just having fun.

Fellow neighbor; Mrs. Barbara Aguirresaenz talked about her husband Sgt. 1^st Class Dwight Aguirresaenz who has already completed two tours in Iraq and is currently on a tour in the Korean DMZ as he will be home just in time for Valentines Day. She stated that he will have only a few weeks home with her and their children before he goes off for advanced training, a new duty station and then on his third tour in Iraq.

When asked on what inspired her to put on an event like this, Mrs. Johnson responded by saying; “Every day I get up and read the Citrus County Chronicle and reading all the good that Mrs. Mills is doing in Citrus County for these brave young men and woman. It doesn’t make a difference if you are for or against the war or what political ties you have. These are American Soldiers putting their life on the line for each and every one of us Americans to keep living free without fear. I wanted to help in making a difference in welcoming them back and making them feel good about themselves”.

“This is a Classic example of the Citrus County Community stepping up in helping out to welcome home our Local Veterans when they return from the Global War on Terrorism. I wish more concerned citizens like Mrs. Johnson, Communities, Community centers and Faith groups will do the same in helping out with the return of these young kids. I think Mrs. Johnson started something real great,” said Mrs. Mills. “We do have the full attention of the Veterans organizations, as they have been a God Send with helping us fund the Welcome Home Baskets and even providing a Heroes Welcome Dinners at their Posts,” said Mrs. Mills.

“Us Veterans know what it feels like being placed in Harms’ Way and then returning home, with some of my comrades returning from War Zones of the past and not getting a Heroes Welcome but the complete opposite. Citrus County Heroes aims to change that perception and with the help of the Citrus County Community and the continuous zealous support of all Veterans organizations this will happen” said Jay Conti.