Lemonade for soldiers

Joe Hilty’s interest in war started with a video game.
Now he’s working to make a real-life impact.
His family’s decision to send a care package to a friend serving in the Marines overseas has blossomed into a fund-raising effort that Joe hopes will allow him to make many more trips to the post office.
The East Elementary School fifth grader was standing at the intersection of Meridian Street and Williamson Drive Wednesday evening, waving a sign reading “Lemonade for Soldiers.” He spent several hours, as he had the night before, selling lemonade, cookies and cupcakes in an effort to raise money to send more care packages.
“I’ve heard of stories about soldiers who … don’t (get anything),” said Joe, “and I think everybody should have something, especially since they’re giving their life for our freedom.”
Joe’s father, Melvin, said his son’s interest in war and soldiers began with a Nitendo Wii game called “Blazing Angels”, which involves flying planes in missions in a World War II setting.
Playing the game inspired Joe to want to learn about the history of war, especially World War II, and has led to trips to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and the Museum of the Soldier in Portland. He also spent a couple of hours getting a first-hand account from a friend of his grandfather, Millard Schwartz, Berne, who fought in The Battle of the Bulge during World War II.So, when Joe’s mother, Lana, decided to prepare a care package for a family friend — David Hill, whose father previously served as pastor of Bryant Wesleyan Church — her son latched onto the idea.
“He and I went to Wal-Mart and got enough stuff for two care packages, and he decided that wasn’t enough,” said Lana, noting that the second care package would go to a soldier whose name they found through www.anysoldier.com. “He decided he was going to raise the money himself.
“He’s just got a heart for soldiers.”
Joe came up with the idea of selling lemonade and other items and went to work. He prepared the lemonade and the signs. He helped make the cookies. And he decorated the cupcakes, which were donated by a friend of the family.
After selling his items Tuesday and part of Wednesday evening, Joe had raised more than $50.
“It makes me feel very proud of him,” said Melvin. “For a 10-year-old during the summer, off school, there are a lot of things he could be doing …
“I hope it touches somebody overseas.”
“Sometimes you wonder if your kid gets it that the world is just not about them,” added Lana. “And now I know he truly does get it.”
One of Joe’s customer’s Wednesday was Redkey resident Nick Ardizzone, who arrived dressed in camouflage. Ardizzone was a gunnery sergeant in the Marines, having served overseas in both Vietnam and in Iraq during Desert Storm.
“It’s very important,” Ardizzone said of Joe’s efforts. “A lot of times over there as a soldier you feel like you’ve been forgotten. This is a little bit of home. It really makes you feel like you’re doing it for a reason.”
Joe plans to sell lemonade, cookies and cupcakes again today from 6 to 8 p.m., as well as Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. He and his family are also accepting donations — suggested items are beef jerky, canned chicken or tuna, soap and sunscreen — to send in their care packages.
He said he hopes to do more, and has plans to help organize a collection with his bible school and Hickory Grove Church of the Brethren.
“It’s kind of fun for me,” said Joe. “I get a good feeling after doing it.”
And he summed up the reason for his efforts as he shook Ardizzone’s hand Wednesday after a brief chat.
“Thanks for serving,” he said.[[In-content Ad]]