Communities needed to adopt a military unit

FT MITCHELL, Ky. - With more and more of our troops serving overseas, the need for added support is at an all-time high.

A non-profit group called America Supporting Americans is asking for more cities to adopt a unit.

Kentucky has adopted more units than any other state in the country.

There are more than a dozen communities in Northern Kentucky that have adopted a unit but local organizers say more help is needed.

"With so many troops being deployed to Afghanistan, generals, colonels have been e-mailing asking if they could get some support for their units and their men because they certainly could use it," said Nancy Taylor, Ft. Mitchell Americans Supporting Americans Unit.

Last fall, 9 News cameras captured artillery training by Ft. Campbell soldiers as they prepared for combat.

The soldiers in the unit were adopted by a Northern Kentucky ASA group including Villa Hills, Lakeside Park, Taylor Mill and Crescent Springs.

Along with Ft. Mitchell, the groups have supported troops with care packages, e-mails and letters.

A bond with their unit quickly forms.

"I do feel they are my boys and often times in e-mails it will begin 'Hi mom, how are you doing?' So absolutely I treasure every one of them," said Taylor.

Local schools also join in to help with the effort.

"What we do is we have all the kindergartners, anybody who wants to participate, bring in toothpaste. All the first graders you can bring in lip balm. If everybody brings in a little something, it becomes huge," said Tiffanny Smith of Ft. Mitchell ASA unit.

Over the years, adopted soldiers have come to Northern Kentucky to say thanks.

"I would just encourage any city out there that is not involved yet to please consider adopting a unit. They need you and you will get so many blessings from that," said Taylor.

Ft. Mitchell will welcome their unit home from Iraq in October with a weekend celebration including a parade.