News On 6 Reports Spur Owasso Business To Show Support For Oklahomans On The War Front

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

OWASSO, OK -- An Owasso business is collecting letters to the warfront.

The folks at Ewings Jewelry Store wanted to show our troops support after they saw our reports from Iraq two months ago when News On 6 reporter Lori Fullbright was embedded with the 2nd-285th air guard unit.

Click here to read Lori's reports about Oklahomans on the War Front

"It's for the air guard unit down the street," Sean Whisenhunt, Ewings Jewelry, said.

Customers here can not only buy new jewelry or get their old items repaired; they can also send a little love to Oklahoma men and women serving in Iraq.

Peggy and Susan jumped at the chance to write a note of encouragement.

"We appreciate what they're doing so much," Susan Buckmaster said.

"I don't think any of us should ever take our freedom for granted and what they're doing in Iraq, Afghanistan, and across the world is why we have our freedom today," Peggy Trease said.

Notes people have written are posted all over Ewings Jewelry store and there's even an incentive, a 30 percent discount on your purchase, if you tell take the time to the troops you care.

Most people we met came in just to jot down a few lines of support, like Sherry and Justin Young, who work next door.

"Just wanted to come by and show support for all they do," Justin Young said. "We appreciate the sacrifice for our country and want to show we stand behind them."

Many members of the Air National Guard's 2nd-285th live and work in the Owasso area. They became more than simply faces in uniform when we traveled to Iraq to tell the stories of their individual lives and sacrifices.

"We saw the story you did back in May and thought, let's do something to help out, to support our troops that are over there," Whisenhunt said.

The issue hit home when a young soldier from Owasso, Andrew Looney, was killed recently in the line of duty in Afghanistan. The community's outpouring of support was deeply moving and reinforced the need to let our men and women know they are loved.

6/28/2010 Related Story: Hundreds Turn Out To Honor Owasso Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

Customers have been writing notes and letters and the store will mail them to the unit next week.

You can still stop by Ewings jewelry to fill out a card or letter through next Wednesday.  If you'd like to do even more, the Tri County Blue Star Mothers can always use donations. The group is mailing 75 care boxes a week to our troops.

You can send your donation to:

Tri County Blue Star Mothers

Chapter 17

P.O. Box 2121

Owasso, OK 74055

You can also call 857-5902 or email contact@tricountybluestarmothers.com