Rennee Barron made an appeal at the Edison Council meeting Monday to join in her project “Freedom Support” to collect magazines, newspapers and puzzle books for servicemen and women deployed on Navy ships.

Edison Council members pledged their help and Fiscal Officer, Bruce Seaburn said people can drop off magazines at the Edison Municipal Building when they are open from 12 – 5 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.

Council members asked about helping with the cost of shipping. Barron said she doesn’t want to accept money, but she is making and selling patriotic ribbons and bows to help defray her expenses. She plans to sell them at the Edison Village garage sale August 12 and 13.

Barron has two sons in the military. Her son, Alex Sorgenfrei has been in the U.S. Air Force for eight years and her son, Austin Sorgenfrei has served three years in the U.S. Marines.

Barron’s idea for collecting magazines and newspapers came about because Austin is deployed for months on a ship without much to entertain him and his shipmates in off duty hours. The sailors and marines will be aboard the amphibious assault ship, Wasp. The ship is headed to the Middle East to “take up the fight with ISIS.”

The ship will carry more than 2,000 of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. It includes battalion landing team, combat logistics battalion and tiltrotor squadron. It will be a six month deployment.

Barron shared a quote from the Marine Times by Capt. Andy Smith about the marines’ and sailors’ deployment, “To think that we are going to go over to that part of the world and not be engaged in some of these fights against ISIS, don’t be naïve,” said Smith. “If we have to send Marines on shore, they will be in the thick of it. That’s the mindset you have to have. This is warship, and it is going to war.”

Barron is proud of her sons and wants to support the men and women who make our freedom possible. She hopes to send a care package with magazines, newspapers and reading materials once a week.

“All I am asking for is your old magazines and newspapers that you want to throw out. These men and women are at sea for months with very little contact with the outside world,” Barron said. “I know the soldiers will appreciate every one of the magazines and newspapers they receive.”

Alberta Stojkovic | The Sentinel Rennee Barron stands at the front door of the Edison Municipal Building that is a collection place for magazines and reading materials that she will send in care packages to her son’s ship that is deployed in the Middle East.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/08/web1_DSCN9936.jpgAlberta Stojkovic | The Sentinel Rennee Barron stands at the front door of the Edison Municipal Building that is a collection place for magazines and reading materials that she will send in care packages to her son’s ship that is deployed in the Middle East.

By Alberta Stojkovic

The Sentinel

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