Fred Jordan remembers what it was like when no one cared.

Or worse: He remembers people hating him for the job he did.

"I remember what it was like in Vietnam," Jordan said. "We didn't get a great deal of support, and it's kind of tough when you don't."

That memory has driven him and others to provide continuing support for soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jordan and other local veterans of the Air Force's 1st Combat Evaluation Group joined with Rosemary Fleck, Bismarck, to form the 1CEVG Supporting Our Troops.

In the last two years, the group has sent about 150 care packages to various units of the military stationed in the Middle East. Some have gone to North Dakota soldiers, others have gone to those most in need, as determined by the Army. The group has received several letters of thanks from soldiers who said they didn't have anyone else to send them packages.

"We send them to whomever needs them," Fleck said. "The soldiers are so thankful. The last letter we got back made me cry."

The support group held a drive for donations at Cash Wise Foods in south Bismarck last weekend. Shoppers donated enough items to make 30 care packages. The group also raised $500 to pay for postage, and mailed about half the packages Friday. It plans to have another drive at Cash Wise in April, with the goal of gathering enough items for 55 to 60 more packages. The packages include CDs, magazines, canned food, games and personal-hygiene items.

Fleck said the group will continue its effort as long as American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are in need.

Contributions can be mailed to 1CEVG Vets, 514 Ninth St. No. 1, Bismarck, N.D. 58501-4511.