Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 3, 1966.
Valparaiso Shows Heart
The second chapter in Valparaiso’s effort to help the peasants of a small village in Viet Nam was written Wednesday.
Three weeks ago The Vidette-Messenger ran an article which challenged the people of Valparaiso to contribute whatever they could in the way of clothing or daily necessities for the purpose of shipping them to Viet Nam for distribution to the peasants of Gia Nghia, Quang Duc province.
This request for contributions came in reply to a letter from Sgt. Frank Giannascoli, of advisory team 32, Gia Nghia, in which he asked for these items so that he might distribute them to the small farmers in his area.
As a result of this invitation to the citizens of Valparaiso, a sizable portion of local Army recruiter Sgt. John Robinson’s office at 151 South Washington has been occupied by a collection of cartons and bags of all sizes. Roughly speaking, more than 500 pounds of lightweight clothing, medical items and supplies have been contributed by various individuals and groups.
Wednesday afternoon these items were packed in uniform cartons and addressed for shipment through the assistance of Mrs. James Mullinax, Mrs. Robert Whitney and Girl Scouts Paige Glidden, Sandy Ray, Mary Morris and Sandy Bowman.
Sgt. Robinson reported that the cartons were slated to be picked up today at 1 p.m. by the Landgrebe Trucking company and to be driven to Glenview Naval Air station for late shipment by the US Navy.
One cannot but wonder at the expression on Sgt. Giannascoli’s face when a chopper sets down in Gia Nghia with the large cartons of supplies from the City of Valparaiso.
HELP VIET PEASANTSーGirl Scout Paige Glidden peeks over the top of boxes of clothing containing about 500 pounds of clothing and daily necessities to be shipped from local Army Recruiter Sgt. John Robinson’s office to peasants at Gia Nghia, Quang Duc province, Viet Nam at the request of Sgt. Frank Giannascoli, currently with Advisory Team 32 in Viet Nam. other Girl Scouts on service project from left Sandy Ray, Mary Morris, and Sandy Bowman.