Local 46 launches drive to bring cheer to troops.

In 2005, Local 46 of the Metallic Lathers & Reinforcing Ironworkers Union began its tradition of celebrating the holidays by bringing the voices of loved ones to the men and women in the armed forces who are stationed overseas.

Local 46, in conjunction with several other unions in the NYC Building Trades, donated $10,000 in phone cards to help the nation's military people communicate with their families and friends during the holidays last year.

This year, in addition to hearing voices from home, they will also be able to see the faces of the people they love and cherish. Local 46 has launched a drive to furnish free videophones and calling cards to armed services personnel and their families.

Robert Ledwith, financial secretary/treasurer of Local 46, initially proposed the videophone plan, and the executive committee of Local 46 promptly and unanimously endorsed it. Three other organizations are collaborating on this project, dubbed Operation: Union;

GlobaLinx Communications LLC will provide the digital communications network for calls via VolP (voice over Internet Protocol). For more information, go to http://www.globalinx.com;

See Your Troops Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation in Rochester, N.Y., that has already installed dozens of videophones on five military bases in the Middle East and Corregidor. It was founded in 2005 by Jim Hopper, who can be reached at 585 359-2922 x400 or visit http:// www.seeyourtroops.com;

The U.S. military team at Fort Totten in Queens will be instrumental in delivering videophones to foreign bases of all U.S. armed forces.

Donations of cash or surplus cell phones or videophones can be arranged at www.Operation Union.com or www.5linx.net/operationunion/.

Local 46 also helps returning service men and women establish new careers in the construction industry through our Helmets to Hardhats program.