Videograms Offered for Troops Overseas

Facial expressions or familiar laughter that can’t be packaged in letters can reach military personnel serving in the Middle East on videos.

An Oxnard cable company will use its equipment today free of charge to tape home videograms for friends and family of the Seabees.

And a Ventura store has been filming area families since mid-September.

Jones Intercable, 721 Maulhardt Ave., will take reservations today for appointments between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. If demand is high, the station might also open Sunday, station Manager Bob Cowie said.

“This is something we can do to benefit not only the people serving their countries but their families back home,” Cowie said.

Individuals or groups must supply their own tapes and can talk before the camera for up to 15 minutes, he said.

Julie Maurer of Oxnard said she plans to show her husband how big their 13-month-old daughter has grown and talk to him with “Amazing Grace” playing in the background.

“It’s been a very special song to us,” she said.

“I want him to see our daughter.”

At Montgomery Ward & Co., 500 S. Mills Road, about 25 people have used a living room setting and equipment since Sept. 13, said operating manager Warren Pierce.

The store offers free tapes and its services from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, he said.

Cameras have captured “a lot of tears, so far,” Pierce said. “It’s very nice to be a part of such a noble effort.”