Party for soldier shows support for the troops

Carson Valley is breaking out the red, white, and blue Saturday to honor a wounded soldier and show support for military personnel.

The public is invited to a reception at Sharkey's Casino in Gardnerville from 2-5 p.m. to greet Pfc. Daniel Tingle, 21, who was wounded in January in Iraq.

Organizers say the event is an opportunity for the community to show support for all troops whether active or retired.

Service groups and individuals have donated time, money and decorations in addition to the food and banquet room that Sharkey's is providing free for the event.

"It's to honor this young man (Daniel), but the event is for all active and retired military," said Sharkey's general manager Bernie Curtis. "We're getting a lot of inquiries from people who served the military who want to attend, and all are welcome."

Curtis said the casino planned on enough hors d'oeuvres and dessert to feed 250-300.

"When the food's gone, we'll still have the fellowship," Curtis said.

Volunteers from the Sierra Nevada Blue Star Mothers and Sharkey's spent a few evenings this week decorating the second floor banquet room with flags and red, white and blue streamers.

Blue Star member Sally Wiley said donations were coming in and ServiceFlags.com, Inc. of Carson City had donated a banner and boxes of lapel pins.

Tingle, home for a month on convalescent leave, spent part of the week visiting children at Jacks Valley Elementary School and St. Teresa of Avila in Carson City.

The students sent him handmade cards and valentines while he recuperated in Texas from the injury to his left foot incurred while on duty in Baghdad.

His mother, Tina Luce, said she was overwhelmed at the support for her son and hoped that all military personnel and their families would come to the reception Saturday to be recognized for their service.

"I hope a lot of service members show up," she said. "I want to thank them, too."

DETAILS

Sharkey's Casino in Gardnerville is hosting a welcome home celebration from 2-5 p.m. Saturday in the upstairs banquet room for Pfc. Daniel Tingle, a 2004 Douglas High School graduate who was injured in Iraq. The event is free and open to the public. All active and retired military are encouraged to attend. There will be a no-host bar. Entertainment will be provided by family friends Craig and Terry who perform at Glen Eagles in Carson City.