Montpelier--Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie on Friday issued an appeal for Vermonters and people around the nation to donate to the effort to send Vermont maple syrup to Vermonters in the military serving in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Iraq.

"The men and women of Vermont serving in the war on terror miss their families and their state, especially at this time of year when they know the sap is running in the sugar woods," Dubie said. "Operation Maple Sweetness is a small gesture of Vermont’s appreciation for their sacrifice, and our way of sending them a little taste of Vermont."

This is the second year that the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association has collect maple syrup donated by its members, and shipped it overseas to the state's troops.

Last year the association shipped 500 gallons of pure Vermont syrup to units serving in the conflict. Dubie, in addition to serving as Vermont’s Lieutenant Governor, is also a maple syrup producer, who with his brother, Mark Dubie, owns and operates a 14,000-tap operation on 280 forested acres in Fairfield, Vermont.

During a recent visit to Vermont troops in harm's way, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas learned firsthand of the challenges they face, including a lack of pure Vermont maple syrup.

"The governor and I, and Vermont’s 2,000-odd maple syrup makers certainly understand that using artificial syrup on pancakes is a small piece of a greater sacrifice our Vermonters are making," Dubie said. "But if a taste of the world’s best maple syrup can lift even one soldier's spirits, even a little, than our efforts will be worth it."

The sugar makers will be gathering donated syrup until April 30, and expect to have the syrup in soldiers’ hands by Memorial Day. Vermont sugar makers who want to donate syrup should go to www.vermontmaple.org for drop-of locations. Association president Rick Marsh says, “We’d like one gallon of your best Medium Amber syrup.”

Others who are interested in helping defray shipping and other costs may send checks made payable to Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association, to Mary Croft, Treasurer, Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Assn., 491 East Barnard Rd., South Royalton, VT 05068. For further information, contact Association President Rick Marsh at 802-644-5482 or sugar maker Jerry O’Meara at 802-626-4444.