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Concert aids military group
dbryce@journalnet.com
POCATELLO -- The 1016th Quartermaster Company returned from Iraq more than a year ago, and no deployment is scheduled, but the Army Reserve unit's Family Readiness Group said when the times comes, they want to be ready. Group leader Kim Charlier said money raised during a benefit concert Sunday at the Benton Street Grill will help families of military personnel in Southeast Idaho in the event of a future deployment. "One of the problems is that if there is no Family Readiness Group available, families have a harder time during deployment," Charlier said. "Our motto is, always be prepared."
Charlier said the 1016th Family Readiness Group serves all branches of the military. Her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Tom Charlier, turned out Sunday with about a half-dozen members of the 1016th. The troops provided tours of a HEMITT during the event.
The eight-wheel-drive military vehicle is used as a sort of tactical wrecker, Tom Charlier said. He said the Family Readiness Group and other veteran support groups in the Gate City have consistently shown support for the troops and their families.
"Any military family who needs help can get it in Pocatello," Tom Charlier said. Two of Tom and Kim's sons served in Iraq and their youngest son, Scott, 16, came to the fundraiser Sunday in full military gear. He plans to follow his father and brothers into the military, and that's alright with Kim.
"I'm proud of my military family," she said. The fundraiser included raffles and a Battle of the Bands competition.
Entertainment coordinator Wil Davis said local bands Anaconda, Neck Brace, Plain Jane, Kaught Lookin, Aaron Ball and Hate Locker donated their time for the event and local businesses donated prizes, which included two XM satellite radios and certificates for Auto Wizard, Play N Trade, Big Dog Motorcycles, Pocatello Cycle Inc., Dependable Auto, Gold's Gym and the 1016th. Davis, who has two uncles serving in the military, said he was surprised that more hasn't been done to support the group that serves as a link to local resources available for military families.
"I said to myself, 'Why weren't there 10 of these events this summer,'" Davis said. "This shouldn't be a fresh idea." Concertgoers made a $5 contribution at the door and all proceeds from the event went to the Family Readiness Group 1016th Quartermaster Company.
Johnny Rivas, former sergeant at arms for the POW*MIA Awareness Rally and a Vietnam veteran, came to support the fundraiser and said the community needs more events to benefit the troops. "It's hard to keep in touch with the families," Rivas said. "Any time a local business is willing to do something to help, we're there."
By Debbie Bryce
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