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A lot of soldiers serving overseas know Jack
Jack- image002-LT
Dressed in Army fatigues two years ago as an 6-year-old Jack Bellew salutes his GIs overseas passionately involving himself with the sending of his snack packs along with a personal letter he includes in those boxes from him. The 10-year-old is the son of a CHP dispatcher Kelly Pace serving at the Atwater station. - photo by Photo Contributed

Jack Bellew – a boy on his own mission to aid U.S. troops – will be at Isadore’s Restaurant again this Saturday asking for tips in support of his overseas snack pack operation. He’s already sent thousands of boxes to thankful guys and gals in the military.

Isadore’s is offering $2 drinks tonight and Saturday including beer, house wine or well drinks in exchange for five packages of sealed cookies, corn nuts, beef jerky, Slim Jim’s nuts, shampoo, soap, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, Q-tips and combs to go into Jack’s snack packs.

Jack has received many letters and photos from thankful members of the military who have been in awe that their boxes were coming from the efforts of a boy so young.  Jack’s interest in the military began five years ago when his cousin Matt Maddox joined the Army with the 173rd Airborne.  Jack would mark his assignment locations on a world globe in his bedroom to keep track of him.  Now he has gained thousands of friends overseas who know him on a first name basis as well as those who have continually supported his cause with their tips and the purchase of Christmas ornaments.

Jack is quite the salesman for his age having proven himself in the past in gaining tips from diners at the Manteca restaurant.  The very polite young man dresses in his Army fatigues and greets the diners at their tables explaining what he is all about and telling how important the troops are to him and to our country.  He will even refill water glasses when he sees the need and doesn’t hesitate to ask for a tip to support soldiers in exchange for his service.

Restaurant owners Isadore and Laurel Fang have continually been there to support Jack and his mother for the past several years.  Mom Kelly Pace worked as a waitress for some 10 years at Isadore’s before joining the CHP in Atwater.

When one diner – an Air Force veteran – tried to talk him into joining the Air Force when he is older, Jack quickly told him that he is 100 percent Army Airborne.