U.S. Army Sgt. Mark Bryant, who grew up on Camano Island, was stationed at Camp Marez in Mosul, Iraq, when it was attacked Tuesday in an apparent suicide bombing.
After waiting several days with no word from him, his family received a five-minute Christmas Eve phone call from Bryant, and he is safe. The day of the attack Bryant was assigned a job before eating lunch, and was not in the lunchroom when it was attacked.
To see photos of Mark Bryant in Iraq, check out his family’s Web site at www. simplymichelle.com.
$5,000 grant helps to pay utility bills
Operation Shortfall, which provides food and emergency utility assistance to local families, received a $5,000 grant from United Way of Snohomish County to help families get through the coldest months of winter.
“We know that winter will have a severe impact on the survival of many families,” said Suzanne Moreau, director of Puget Sound Labor Agency Snohomish County, which administers Operation Shortfall.
The organization’s funds are near depletion due to the increase in emergency requests and energy costs, she said. “This one-time gift from United Way will truly make a difference for many families who have exhausted all of their resources.”
Operation Shortfall has already provided more than $6,000 in assistance. For more information, call 425-252-1112.
Fans welcome NASCAR drivers
Racers Kasey Kahne and Derrike Cope will be honored by Fans United for NASCAR at a free celebration of local motor sports champions for the 2004 season.
The racers will be honored 2-9 p.m. Monday at the Everett Events Center.
Washington’s own Daytona 500 winner Cope and 2004 Rookie of the Year Kahne will be part of a moderated forum from 7-8 p.m. aimed toward keeping ISC interested in a track site in our state.
Festivities throughout the day include a pit crew competition, radio-controlled car racing, video racing and local racer introductions.
Kahne’s NASCAR show car will be on hand. There also will be other exhibits and door prizes.
More information is available at www.fans unitedfornascar.com or by calling Debbie at 425-743-4567 or 425-345-3643.
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