A community effort
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar visited Tracy Sunday to laud the Afghanistan project started by the Tracy American Legion Auxiliary and the communityBy Rae Kruger
Article Photos
TRACY - As U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., stood in front of her Sunday evening in the Tracy American Legion, Terri Johnson said she was "overwhelmed."
Johnson was talking about Klobuchar's visit and the gathering of people who came Sunday to acknowledge a Tracy American Legion Auxiliary and community effort to gather items for soldiers overseas and items for children in an orphanage in Afghanistan. Johnson's son, Randy Krueger, had connected with Jan Bornitz of the Tracy American Legion Auxiliary to organize the project.
"I think it's wonderful. It's super," Johnson said.
A few chairs away, Randy Krueger's dad Roger Krueger, had similar thoughts.
"Randy knows that if you don't befriend people you won't get things done...," Roger Krueger said of his son who is a master sergeant in the military and has been a soldier for 24 years. Randy Krueger has been in Afghanistan since August.
Bornitz said Randy Krueger told her in September about the orphanage and that turned into a project that Klobuchar said became a community project.
"I want to thank you for Jan's work and for what the whole community has done," Klobuchar said. "You have not only embraced the soldiers but also the orphanage."
Klobuchar spent roughly an hour in Tracy as she talked with family members of Randy Krueger, American Legion and Auxiliary members and others who came to support the project.
While there, Klobuchar took a phone call from Randy Krueger.
Klobuchar told Randy Krueger she wanted to thank him for his military service but also for his work with the orphanage.
"... the fact that you are also working with the kids. I saw the pictures of the orphanage and the work you are doing there," Klobuchar said during the phone call.
"I'm pleased she follows these type of events," Roger Krueger said of Klobuchar.
Roger Krueger said his son joined the military out of high school and intended to go to college with the benefit package but changed his mind and decided to make it a career.
"He elected to be a servant like that," Roger Krueger said. "I'm from Vietnam..."
And is "absolutely" proud of his son's service, Roger Krueger said.
A lot of folks were proud of Randy Krueger's work and the project the Legion, Auxiliary and community were working on.
"It's great," Legion member Larry Bornitz said. "This is just the beginning."
The Auxiliary will ship items next week. Jan Bornitz said she will collect items at the Legion from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Dec. 7 and 1-4 p.m. Jan. 1 for two additional shipments.
The Tracy connection to the orphanage and Randy Krueger will continue and so will Klobuchar's.
"I hope to visit there sometime soon and I hope to see a certain person," Klobuchar said.
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rona45
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11-24-09 1:37 AM
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Shouldn't ask about illegal immigrants as you will be shunned or ignored.
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MNrocks2
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11-23-09 1:27 PM
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As a family who has someone in service in Afghanistan it means a lot knowing people in the communities are being so thougthful of our soldiers and the children.
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rangeral
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11-23-09 12:49 PM
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How about illegal immingration?
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