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By Lois Thomson

It's not unusual for people to have an American flag on display in their house, but not many are as extraordinary as the one in Kathie Gasior's kitchen:  the flag flew over the 28th Combat Support Hospital, Medical Task Force's facility in Mosul, Iraq.

Gasior is chair of the annual jewelry sale fundraiser to benefit Operation Troop Appreciation, and she received the flag in 2007 for her tireless work for the organization.  From the time Gasior became involved, she raised considerable donations for OTA by talking with various schools and groups, and now the jewelry sale.

Kathie Gasior showcases the flag she received from Iraq for her volunteer work for Operation Troop Appreciation

The flag from Iraq that Kathie Gasior received from Operation Troop Appreciation is displayed in her kitchen

A small portion of the jewelry that will be available in Operation Troop Appreciation's annual fundraising sale

As Gasior explained, Kristin Holloway, who founded OTA in 2004, presented the flag to her during a meeting, along with a note from Holloway stating, in part, "Thank you so much for all you do for OTA.  Your contributions to our soldiers have ensured they feel the love and support we send them from so far away . . .  Please accept this symbol of our deepest appreciation for all you have done, and continue to do . . . "

Holloway started the organization when she wanted to send some Under Armour T-shirts to a troop in Iraq and then realized they cost $45 apiece.  She solicited and receiveddonations to cover the amount, "and OTA was born" according to Gasior.

This year's sale is the 10th and will take place Friday and Saturday, November 11 and 12, at the South Park Community Center, behind South Park Library.  All of the jewelry is priced from $1 to $5, and everything is checked to make sure it is not broken or missing any stones.  Since its inception, the sale has raised $87,000 – last year's total was $12,000 – and Gasior said the goal is to hit the $100,000 mark this year.

The money from the sales goes to help troops overseas, based on requests from the commanding officer or chaplain, and to returning veterans to assist in preventing homelessness or to defray the costs of establishing a new home.

"I love the fact that everyone is a volunteer.  Everybody does this because we love our country.  It's good to know you're helping people who have done so much for us."

She is quick to add, "My team is what makes this possible.  I would never have done this well with the jewelry sale without them.  They do all the work and I take all the credit!"  Anyone who knows Gasior knows that's not true.

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