BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

SPOTSWOOD - A flag that once flew over U.S. troops in Afghanistan will now be placed in Spotswood High School.

The flag is a thank you from the U.S. Army for the extraordinary collection of DVDs, CDs and other goods collected by Spotswood students for troops in Iraq. The drive was led by the high school's History and Octagon clubs, which are advised by teacher Frank Yusko, and are aimed at making life a bit easier for American troops at war.

Spotswood has collected and sent more boxes than anyone else in the nation, according to the program's Web site, www.DVDs4troops.org. Spotswood has shipped 43 boxes of DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes and audio cassettes. The second-largest shipment from the entire U.S. was 12 boxes.

The items give troops something to do during downtime when they are not actively engaged.

"This has been a great collective effort by both our schools and the good people in our community," Yusko said.

Yusko said the school will also receive a certificate of thanks for the collection.

The troops themselves have already noted their appreciation in a special way - by requesting more. Originally, the drive was to last only for the fall. But items kept coming in and the drive was extended through the winter. When other military units heard about the goods coming over, they asked if a drive could be started to stock their own bases.

The last shipment went out in April, but Yusko said he'll gladly accept more if people still wish to donate. Items may be dropped at Spotswood High School, Summerhill Road.

"My attitude is, as long as you bring it in, I'll get it out," he said. "Unfortunately, it looks like these kids will be there for quite some time."

Yusko got the idea while leafing through veterans' magazines that belonged to a friend. The program is run by Air Force Sgt. Ken Johnson, who served in the first wave of the war in Iraq. He is now at a base in Alaska.

The boxes, likened to the size of photocopy paper boxes, can fit quite a few discs. While students and staff at the high school supplied the majority of items sent over, members of the community chipped in as well.

Yusko said a teacher who used to work at a record store brought in numerous boxes of items, and a former student who is a disc jockey brought in a full box. Another resident donated a box of cassette tapes.

At first, students were going to count how many items were brought in, but after a while it became too hard to keep track, Yusko said.

The plan is to fly the flag for one day over the main flag staff at the high school. After that, the flag will be placed at the school's Wall of Honor, which was established last year as a tribute to Spotswood graduates who have served or are serving in war.