From Seniors to Soldiers: Afghans Carry Their Support

Some local women are using their knitting skills to show overseas soldiers how appreciative they are of their service.

Mary Ann Colozzi, Anna Kinson and Flo Palazzolo have been working diligently for weeks on knitting blankets for deployed soldiers. So far the group has produced about 15 in the past two months, but they have no intentions of stopping.

"We'll continue this as long as it's needed," said USO volunteer Lorri Loughlin, who helped organize the project and personally funds it. "It's my way of saying thank you."

Loughlin was able to hand out blankets at a deployment at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. She said other USO representatives are interested, too.

"I know this community is so supportive of the military," she said.

At $25-30 worth of yarn per blanket, it starts to add up. Loughlin estimates she's spent about $180 on the project so far.

Currently the group is taking donations of quality yarn that can be dropped off at the .

For the knitting trio, it's serious business. They set their own goals and each can finish a blanket in just a few weeks.

"It's heartbreaking and at the same time it gives you an awesome feeling," said Palazzolo, whose grandson is serving with the Air Force. "You don't realize these people are carrying us into battle. I feel like part of me is with them."

Kinson's husband served for 20 years in the Navy, and she said she'll do anything she can to help the servicemen.

"It makes me feel good; kind of tingly," she said.

Colozzi agreed, adding, "I just love my country."