The America Supporting Americans Greater Conejo Valley Chapter is made up of residents of our community who want to show their support for the troops stationed overseas who are defending our country. We are affiliated with the America Supporting Americans national organization which has chapters in more than 300 cities.

ASA began its work in 1967 when Sergeant Joe Artavia wrote his big sister from Vietnam asking her to do something to help raise the morale of his unit. Linda Patterson, as a young woman living in San Mateo, California, convinced her hometown to “adopt” her brother Joe’s unit in Vietnam. Believing that the individual soldiers charged with fighting an unpopular war desperately needed to feel the interest and concern of communities back home, San Mateo agreed to Linda’s request. As a result, the morale of Joe’s fellow soldiers was, in Joe’s own words, “raised as high as the clouds.”

Through adoptions by more than 300 cities across the United States, soldiers and civilians are discovering the unique and crucial link that exists between the men and women of our Armed Services and the American citizens they are charged to protect. In times of both war and peace, this strong connection has proved dynamically and richly rewarding to all involved. Units deployed abroad count on letters and care packages from adoptive cities to boost morale and help them feel connected to home.