Those looking for a way to support our troops and to find a good bargain in the process may want to check out the upcoming flea market at the Welch Armory on October 4th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sponsored by the local Family Support Group, the flea market will feature anything from nick-knacks and tools to a variety of household and yard items that one would expect to find at such sales.

“We’ll sponsor a concession stand to raise additional funds, so we’re reminding the vendors that they can sell almost anything but food,” Family Support Group Vice President Meme Harman said. “Set up fees are $10 for two tables. Extra tables will be $5 apiece.

In addition to Harman, other Family Support Group officers include President Donna Pedri. Secretary Miranda Cook and Treasurer Katie Moore.

As its name suggests, the Family Support Group is comprised of volunteers and relatives of local members of the 150th and 230th units of the Army National Guard. The organization meets monthly at the Welch Armory to find ways to support members of the units who are currently serving their country.

The 150th (Bluefield/Welch) and 230th (Beckley area) will be deployed overseas in early 2009, so Harman noted that it’s especially important for the Family Support Group to raise funds now so that the soldiers and their families can be adequately under girded when the soldiers are deployed in the near future.

The upcoming deployment will be the second one for some of the soldiers in the 150th and the 230th, but it will be the first for Harman’s husband, Ryan, a Welch policeman who has served in the National Guard for the past 16 years.

“Ryan was scheduled to be deployed once before, but was injured during training and couldn’t accompany others from his unit,” Harman said. “I know it’s going to be tough on our daughter in Pre-K, who is used to having her Daddy around. Our two-year-old son isn’t old enough to understand what’s going on.”

The various financial and emotional hardships that soldiers and their families endure are exactly why the Family Support Group is so important.

“We use the money we raise to send packages to the soldiers and to help their families when they face additional financial hardships because of the soldier’s absence,” Harman said. “We also try to do a lot for the kids.”

Anyone who’d like to become a volunteer in the Family Support Group or to participate in the flea market may contact Harman at 656-7707.

The Family Support Group will meet again November 27, 3 p.m. at the Welch Armory, she said.
Thirty-year veteran and Welch Armory Manager Jerry Matthews, who served in both Vietnam and Iraq, joins with Harman in encouraging the public to support the efforts of the Family Support Group.

“They will sponsor a concert/dance in November and will be doing other events in the future,” Matthews said. “The things they do make a world of difference to the soldiers and their families. It’s a good thing. I encourage everyone to do what they can to show their support.”