Updated: January 28, 2013 6:07AM

Shorewood Knights of Columbus, Bishop L. Kaffer Assembly 3232, will sponsor a care package drive to support the troops from Jan. 7 through Feb. 1.

Items needed are general hygiene items, insect repellent, eye drops, men’s and women’s deodorants, shampoo, toothpaste, razors, wet wipes, soap, canned food, pre-sweetened powdered drink mixes, beef jerky, beef sticks, batteries (AA-AAA), cookies, granola bars, protein bar, gloves, hand warmers, stamps, work or tube socks, and white or tan T-shirts. Handmade items are welcome such as scarves, no-sew fleece blankets and quilts.

Each box cost $12.35 just for shipping, so donations for postage are needed.

All donations are tax deductible. To have a package sent to a specific serviceman or woman, or for more information on how to help, call Dan at 815-886-6623.

Welcome home celebration

Family and friends of USMC Cpl. Robert Owens II welcomed the New Lenox native home from his second deployment to Afghanistan on Dec. 15 at the Belmont Athletic Club. Owens lives in New Lenox as does his sister, Lisa, and their mother, Jackie Simon-Owens.

Local police, fire and veterans organizations participated in the ceremony as well as New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann.

Owens, a high school honors student was an early 2010 graduate of Lincoln-Way Central High School. At age 8, his father, Robert Owens, age 37, died suddenly of a heart attack in 1999.

The younger Owens began attending physical training at the Joliet Recruiting Station at the age of 16. He declined academic scholarships to join the Marines and “fight terrorism.” Having scored in the high 90s on his Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery tests, Owens could have chosen any specialty as a Marine and chose infantry.

Owens was one of three members of his unit promoted during his most recent deployment. He is returning from his second deployment, having received a number of medals and honors during his three years of service. He has one more year to serve.

His homecoming celebration was sponsored by the Belmont Athletic Club and the East Side Association.

Promotions granted

Jeramie D. Banks, a 1996 graduate of Lincoln-Way High School, New Lenox, was promoted to the rank of senior master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. He is a production superintendent assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

Navy Seaman Apprentice Heather N. Griffin, a 2010 graduate of Plainfield Central High School, was promoted to her current rank upon graduating from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. Griffin received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle.

Navy Seaman Apprentice Sebastian Mora, son of Adriana Klepp and Walter G. Omelas of Plainfield was promoted to his current rank upon graduating from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. Mora received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle.

Course completed

Army 2nd Lt. Michael R. Beck, son of Daniel L. and Sheri L. Beck of Lockport, graduated from the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. The course is designed to produce physically fit, competent and confident infantry platoon leaders who are proficient in basic infantry skills.

Jean Edwards is looking for veterans to write about in this column. She can be reached at 815-773-7172 or jedwards@stmedianetwork.com

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