It often surprises me to find so many people that aren't directly connected to the military by past service or family members stationed or deployed, that take up the great cause of supporting our troops.  They typically do it without personal fanfare or recognition, and they do it without trying to attract attention to themselves.

This is the case in Barrington, Illinois, with Ralph Wright, Store Director of the Hollywood Video store.  Ralph is a very soft-spoken man that is always ready with a smile and "Hello" for anyone entering the store.  He always engages his customers, which he treats like friends, and is not shy about discussing one of his favorite topics: support for the troops.

It all started when Ralph spoke with a customer that was buying several clearance movies to send to the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln.  She explained that with 6,000 men and women aboard this huge ship, there weren't very many movies to go around.   Ralph offered to start a collection for her son Tony who was aboard the ship.

They put up a display asking customers to purchase movies, popcorn, and candy, to be donated to the troops serving on this historic carrier.  The response was overwhelming, as the store quickly collected over $1,400 worth of movies, plus a large amount of the "groceries" as Ralph calls the popcorn and candy, and sent it to these brave men and women.  They were sending 2 to 3 packages a week. 

The picture below was sent to Ralph and his staff at Hollywood Video, with just a few of the crewmembers showing off some of the movies they received.

When another customer came into the store and saw the display for collecting the items for the carrier, she asked about doing something similar for her son's unit that was deployed in Afghanistan. Ralph quickly responded with a new collection display.  He is shown above with the current display from his store to collect donated movies, popcorn, and candy.

Below is a closer view of the display with the information about 1st Lt. Andrew Miller and his unit.  For security reasons, their current location can not be made public, but this display shows a few of the areas of their past deployments. 

Ralph is doing more than just collecting items to be sent in care packages to our troops.  He is doing something very unique, and continues to show his patriotism in other ways.  Ralph is helping the Patriots Group on September 6th at the Family Freedom Festival, first to pass out water in a cooling tent that he is setting up along the route for the participants in the 9.11 mile Freedom Walk/Run.  Later, he will be joining Patriots Group in the Family Support Tent at the festival, in the parking lot of the Barrington Metra train station.  He will be bringing this display and hundreds of movie titles so visitors can purchase these movies and then donate them to the troops. 

Personal note: As a customer, I have gotten to know Ralph as a caring, giving, and generous man.  But as I learned about what he is doing in his own way to support the troops, I have come to respect his actions, and how he isn't in this for the glory.  I have had to push him somewhat to get the information and pictures.  This is his own project, and not a company-wide activity.  I understand however, that the district offices, as well as corporate, are very pleased with Ralph, and supportive of his efforts.

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