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Resident gives puzzles to military, veterans

The Oak Ridger - 2/6/2017

Local resident Sandy Hermann-Shelton wanted to say more than just "thank you" to veterans she encounters, so she came up with a "puzzling" solution.

Hermann-Shelton orders "It is the Veteran" puzzles - 100 hundred at a time - and puts them together, gluing them (which she said "is the hardest part") and then frames them. She then makes sure they end up in the hands of those people who have served or are serving the nation, according to information from Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank's office.

Her puzzles hang in many public places, including the Anderson County Veterans Service Office. She donates them to area fire and police departments, presented them to recruiting centers following the tragic attack in Chattanooga, and has recently been spreading her mission outside of Anderson County to places like Alcoa, Maryville, and Campbell County. For Christmas, she even sent one to a veteran in Texas who reached out to her.

Hermann-Shelton reached out to Frank to donate several framed puzzles to the local Anderson County Veterans Appreciation Breakfast, where they were awarded as door prizes to thankful veterans.

"People like Sandy make the world a better place," the mayor said. "I hope her flame of appreciation, charity, and encouragement is one that continues to burn strongly. Her desire to show her love for our veterans and our public servants is an inspiration." "I'm not gifted in new technology, but God gifted me with old-school abilities, Hermann-Shelton said when Frank thanked her for her mission. "I could just about put the puzzles together blindfolded." Hermann-Shelton saiid it's the least she can do for those who serve the country.

If you would like to contact Hermann-Shelton about a puzzle, you may write her at PO Box 6421, Oak Ridge, TN 37831.