Photo by Joseph Bell
Mike Buchheit, left, presents Certificates of Appreciation to Tom Pietrosanto, a Red Cross supervisor. Pietrosanto accepted the certificates on behalf of Claudia Reuther and Josie Wilcox. Buchheit was joined by, from right to left, Brian Whittington and Neil Fillhart.

 By Joseph Bell

Record Staff Writer

Ridgway resident Mike Buchheit recognized two American Red Cross workers yesterday afternoon for their altruistic contributions to area soldiers serving the country in Iraq.
"These ladies made these neck braces by themselves, Claudia Reuther and Josie Wilcox," Buchheit said at a blood drive yesterday afternoon at the Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department along North Broad Street. "For all the soldiers over in Iraq, from Ridgway and Bradford barracks, they made enough for everyone to have one, and there are extra ones.
"When it's real hot over there, they dip in water and they keep them cold. They put them around their necks and it keeps them cool all day.
"It's pretty nice. It's out of camouflage material, too, so it blends right into their uniforms."
While Reuther and Wilcox were not at the blood drive, the Certificates of Appreciation were accepted by Tom Pietrosanto, a supervisor for the American Red Cross.
To help present the awards were two soldiers, Neil Fillhart of DuBois and Brian Whittington of Warren, formerly of southern California.
Fillhart, who returned from Fort Dix in February, discussed his reasons for enlisting in the military following the certificate presentation.
"The main reason for my joining was to defend the country," Fillhart said. "I'm just a small-town guy and I love the country, and I'll stand up for rights of others and defending others, and people that aren't as fortunate as others, I'll stand up for them, too.
"Those are the main reasons for me joining."
At first, basic training seemed to be a daunting task for Fillhart but, with a proper mindset, he said he was able to make it through with ease.
"Basic training, it's alright if you can handle getting screamed at and yelled at," Fillhart said. "Other than that, basic training is all about mindset. If you put your mind to it, you can get through it with no problems."
For Whittington, one of the reasons he enlisted was because of his father, who is a veteran.
"I want to make him proud, too," Whittington said. "I just feel it's the right thing to do.
"I enlisted to serve the country and stand up for what's right."
Buchheit's son Nick currently serves in Iraq as a captain.