Local pageant winner sends smiles overseas

For most soldiers, being away from their friends and family for long periods of time can be hard. That’s why Maricopa resident Catherine Hecker decided her platform for the 2007 Mrs. America Touch of Class Pageant would be about these soldiers.

Catherine’s platform, “Until They All Come Home,” is intended to help boost the morale of the soldiers overseas.

“When my brother was overseas, my family and I would send him packages regularly,” Hecker said. “When he retired, I really wanted to continue sending packages to the troops, and then I found the Forgotten Soldier Outreach Program.”

The program provides a way for people across the United States to send care packages or letters to soldiers at war. Emails can even be written that will be printed and included in the care packages.

Hecker felt so strongly about the program that she decided it would be her platform in the pageant. The platform speech counts for a large portion of the contestant’s overall score.

America Touch of Class Pageants are for women of all ages. Catherine was first runner up representing Utah in 2006 and then reentered the pageant in 2007 representing Arizona.

Since winning the title of Mrs. America Touch of Class, Hecker has worked diligently with the Forgotten Soldier Outreach Program to get as many people involved as she can.

“The main reason I entered the contest is so that I can use the position to help programs like this,” Hecker said.

Hecker has also helped organizations such as the local cancer society and Power Paws Assistance, Inc.

If anyone would like to get involved with the Forgotten Soldier Outreach Program, Hecker encourages them to look at the program’s Web site at www.ForgottenSoldiers.org.

Photos by Amy Jamieson