:Frederick News-Post;

:Jul 18, 2005;

:Local;

:5

Scrapbook is couple’s gift to troops overseas

By SUSAN C. NICOL News-Post Staff snicol@fredericknewspost.com



    FREDERICK — A local couple who “adopted” a soldier to show support for troops oversees wanted to do something more.

    An idea came to Julie Leggieri about 3 a.m. July 8, and she’s been in full gear ever since.

    The 24-year-old stay-at-home mother is compiling a scrapbook to send to a unit in Iraq or Afghanistan.

    “My husband, Tony, and I wanted to do something to show the men and women that we care,” she said. “I think it’s important for them to know that they’re appreciated.” Ms. Leggieri said the project is not about supporting the war effort of President Bush. There’s no hidden agenda. “This is to show the troops that people over here care,” she said. “That’s it.”

    Ms. Leggieri is asking that people send her family photos with their names and addresses printed on the back. “It’s also nice if they want to include a sentence or two saying they appreciate their contributions...”

    Since she sent out an e-mail last week, she’s received eight photographs for the scrapbook.

    “It’s important for people to make a duplicate of the picture or keep the negative because we can’t send it back. People also can e-mail me photos for the book.”

    Once the book is completed, she’ll be sending it to a military unit for the soldiers to enjoy.

    The first book will go to the Leggieris’ “adopted” solider and his colleagues.

    After reading about the Homefront Hugs project in the newspaper last year, the Leggieris “adopted” Sfc. Larry Gregory.

    “We’ve been sending him care packages a couple times a month since February,” she said, adding that he often tells them how much he enjoys receiving the treats.

    Ms. Leggieri said she and her husband have corresponded with Mrs. Gregory as well, and hope to meet the Gregorys one day. Sfc. Gregory is due home by the end of next year.

    Although it’s a small gesture, she said she hopes the “Scrapbooks for Soldiers” project is successful, bringing comfort to the men and women in uniform who are so far from home.

    Pictures and messages can be mailed to 509 Logan St., Frederick, MD 21701 or sent to www.scrapbooksforsoldiers.org.

Staff photo by Saul Stoogenke Julie Leggieri, 23, of Frederick, holds a selection of family photos submitted for use in a scrapbook she is creating in support of U.S. troops.