From the movie theater to the combat theaters
Assemblyman leads DVD collection drive for troops abroad
BY MARLENE CANTY
Staff Writer

JEFF GRANIT staff Assemblyman Sam Thompson boxes up DVDs at his Matawan office Thursday to send to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

OLD BRIDGE - When U. S. troops in Iraq have a chance to relax for short intervals, they can now watch films like "Casablanca," "Jaws," "Star Wars," "The Godfather" and "Do the Right Thing."

That's because of a massive statewide project called AMVETS Operation DVD, spearheaded by Assemblyman Sam Thompson (R-13) to provide entertainment for soldiers deployed in war zones.

Thompson and his staff last week boxed up some 4,000 movie DVDs and music CDs donated by New Jerseyans to the project, and at last count Thompson's office had collected over 5,000 DVDs. The project is part of a larger nationwide effort by American Veterans (AMVETS) to provide entertainment for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The goal of AMVETS is to collect 1 million DVDs nationwide.

Since Thompson initiated the statewide adjunct of the program in June, some 60 New Jersey state senators and assembly members from both parties have designated their offices as official Operation DVD drop-off locations. Hundreds more drop-off points have been designated statewide at participating health clubs, supermarkets, municipal buildings, senior centers, libraries, schools, police departments and private businesses.

Thompson said the positive response shows the widespread support people have for troops overseas and the desire to make life a little better for them, regardless of anyone's feelings about the war itself.

"As a veteran I understand firsthand that soldiers need entertainment to help cope with the stress of their missions and to help keep up morale," Thompson said.

Safe recreation in war zones like Iraq, he noted, is limited because of snipers, IEDs (buried or hidden improvised explosive devices) and other terrorist activity.

"Every DVD we collect sends a message to our troops that we care and appreciate [their] efforts and personal sacrifice," said Thompson, whose legislative district includes parts of Middlesex and Monmouth counties.

"With a goal of 1 million DVDs to be shipped abroad, the freight and packaging costs as well as the cost of drop-off boxes can mount up," Thompson said.

Organizers already have some corporate sponsors, but are encouraging further corporate sponsorship to help defray some of those costs.

Thompson said he encourages every American to lend a hand and pitch in whatever they can to the effort.

AMVETS Operation DVD marks the first time a program of this nature has ever been put together for overseas troops, according to Thompson.

"When I was in the service, soldiers could go on leave to neighboring towns to relax or for recreation, but today's troops have to deal with snipers and other terrorist activities that make that impossible or very dangerous," Thompson said. "Our servicemen are doing so much and making so many sacrifices, something to boost their morale and at the same time keep them safely occupied during downtime is the least we can do for them."

In Old Bridge, the drop-off locations are the office of Assemblyman Thompson, located at 725 Route 34; the Old Bridge municipal building, Recreation Center, Senior Center and library, located at Route 516 and Cottrell Road; Bayshore Fitness & Wellness Center, in the Gateway Shopping Center at Route 9 at Ernston Road; and Cheesequake Village Club House, Galewood Drive.

For more information, contact Thompson's office at (732) 583-5558.