CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Ginny Craven, Operation Tango Mike founder, spoke to Lake County Republican Women, Federated, or LCRWF, on March 8 at the group’s meeting at Howard's Grotto in Clearlake.

A very interested membership learned a great deal about the organization, now in its 14th year.

Initially Operation Tango Mike started in Craven's kitchen as she prepared support packages for a military friend. He was so grateful for his package, and seeing no one was supporting his buddy, asked if someone could send his buddy a package.

From there, with Craven's organizational expertise, Operation Tango Mike has grown to have sent 19,000 packages to our Lake County overseas military.

At this time each package costs $17.35 to ship and is delivered within one month of leaving Lake County, not randomly, but to the individual to whom it is addressed.

A troop wish list was distributed. Would you have thought one-gallon plastic bags would be on the list?

Craven left her audience much wiser about the great work being done and in a position to encourage others to become involved. Visit the Operation Tango Mike Web site at www.operationtangemike.com .

Two very supportive businesses in Lake County are Umpqua Bank in Lakeport, where items can be contributed and where packaging takes place monthly, and Red and White Grocery in Clearlake Oaks, where there is an in-store donation barrel. People can find donation barrels at other locations throughout the county.

“Thoughts from a Legal Immigrant,” a letter from a member's former colleague, also was presented at the meeting.

The author, born in England, now a retired electrical engineer, worked in the Middle East for many years prior to becoming a U.S. citizen legally. Today, he still has many friends in the Middle East.

A small portion of the letter on becoming a citizen follows:

“I jumped through the necessary hoops to complete the relevant requirements, I have paid my taxes and I hope have contributed to the country in some way... Having done that, I do find it, let's say, ‘disrespectful’ to then see active encouragement for illegal immigration by attempting to circumvent the law with such things as ‘sanctuary cities,’ etc. Surely ‘illegal’ is ‘illegal’ whether it is associated to drugs, sex acts with minors, dangerous driving, etc., and I don't see why when ‘illegal’ is attached to ‘immigration,’ the word suddenly takes on a different meaning. So if someone is here illegally, irrespective of where they originated or the reason why they have come, they are breaking the law and the law should apply to them just as it does for any other illegal activity.”

The letter contained much more relevant to what is happening in our country today. Viewing the reaction of the membership, his words rang true.

The meeting closed with all attendees signing a letter to President Donald J. Trump. The letter, posted immediately, stated:

“On Feb. 28, our members listened carefully to your speech to the joint session of Congress and the American people. We stand behind you and for you in everything you covered in your speech, as should all Americans, no matter what their political affiliation might be.”

LCRWF will hold its next meeting on April 12. Anyone interested in joining LCRWF is invited to come to the luncheon.

The organization is encouraging past members to rejoin and is seeking new members to join this active group. For reservation and membership information contact Marcia Chauvin at 707-994-3543.

Leona M. Butts is a member of Lake County Republican Women, Federated.