Operation Appreciation

by Terry Trahan, Jr.

In 1971, the National Holiday Act mandated that Memorial Day be celebrated each year on the last Monday in May. It is a time to remember fallen American soldiers, those who valiantly gave their lives in service to the United States and its people.

Tammy Ayo plans to spend May 29, the Saturday before this year’s Memorial Day, hosting Operation Appreciation, a fundraising event to support soldiers currently serving in the Louisiana Army National Guard. The money raised will go toward supplying care packages to Houma’s Charlie Company and Thibodaux’s Delta Company, whose 142 soldiers are now serving in Iraq.

“It’s for them to know that they are loved here at home,” says Tammy, whose son is a member of the Charlie Company. “It’s a little piece of home.”

Downtown Houma’s the Brick House Main Street Tavern has offered the courtyard behind the bar as a place to host the event, which will include door prizes and four live bands. OverTime, a covers band that features Tammy’s husband Scott on keyboards, is scheduled to be in the lineup, along with Signal 19, Vintage and Through Heidi’s Eyes.

“I think music is a positive influence,” says Heidi Rodrigue, who provides vocals and the namesake for Through Heidi’s Eyes. “It can get you going to start something.”

And that’s exactly what Tammy is trying to do.

The community and local businesses have gotten involved to donate entertainment and prizes that range from ceramic cookware to sound-and-light shows. Restaurants, including A-Bear’s Cafe, Chili’s and Outback Steakhouse, to name a few, have thrown in gift cards as well.

Speaking of food, Tammy plans to serve jambalaya, hot dogs, nachos and any other menu items contributed by donors.

Rita Pontiff, owner of Shaggy to Chic pet salon, added bounce houses to the list of planned activities for children. A friend of Tammy’s, Rita decided to pitch in when she learned of the event’s needs.

“I’m not a mother and I don’t have children in Iraq, but I feel for those people,” Rita says.

Tammy hopes the fundraiser will bring in between $5,000 and $10,000, which will make the soldiers’ lives a little easier.

“Every penny is going toward care packages for the guys in Iraq,” she says. Each package will be personalized to reflect its recipient’s wishes, from brand of coffee to flavor of toothpaste. “Every soldier filled out a questionnaire on the things that they would like and want.”

Operation Appreciation promises to be a memorable event. HTV will capture the day’s most inspiring moments, edit the footage and send it overseas to share with the soldiers of the Charlie Company and the Delta Company.

“It’s going to be a fun way to spend Memorial Day weekend,” Tammy says.