The Pentagon recently paid tribute to a Bayonne family who has volunteered countless hours coordinating the shipment of letters and basic supplies to American troops serving overseas.

Former Army Capt. Tony Ward, owner of A.J. Ward Real Estate, of Bayonne; his wife, Dani Jean Ward; and the couple's four children, James, Bridget, Daniel and Shannon, accepted an award on behalf of Operation Interdependence and thousands of volunteers nationwide from Charles S. Abell, principal deputy under secretary of Defense, at a Washington, D.C., ceremony in late August.

They received a $4,000 grant underwritten by The Fisher House Foundation, Inc., and Newman's Own.

The Wards have been credited with spearheading OI's campaign in New Jersey and across the tri-state area for the past two years. Since May, they've been a sort of clearing house in processing the bulk of all civilian shipments east of the Mississippi bound for military units in Iraq and elsewhere.

A.J. Ward, a former Army captain, said that the couple's children "are the main thrust behind this (campaign). Their grandfather, A. John Ward, was a lieutenant colonel in the Army and their other grandfather, Daniel Dougherty, was a sergeant first class who flew with the famous 548th Nightfighter Squadron in World War II. Our children were very close to their grandfathers and it was with them in mind that they began this undertaking."

Ward also extended kudos to Bayonne's residents, businesses, organizations and school children for their contributions.

Among their many helpers, Dani Jean singled out Regina and Steve Teitel, owners of Elbaum's Deli on Broadway, Carol Christie, Schools Superintendent Patricia McGeehan, the Concerned Citizens Organization and Unico.

Ward estimated that the Bayonne volunteers ship out between 30 and 40 boxes, each weighing 30 pounds, of care packages each month. Each box contains 50 individually packed "goody bags" with basic supplies such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, cookies, nuts, a deck of playing cards, deodorant or body lotion, pencil and paper, tissues and a letter.

"The military loves it," Dani Jean said.

Especially the letters.

"My children have stayed up many a night writing letters or coloring pictures to make sure no goody bag goes out without a message in it," she said.

The Wards are looking to get more people involved in the letter-writing effort.

Operation Interdependence, founded by Albert Renteria, of Oceanside, Calif., invites people to "adopt a box" by donating $30 and, thereby, sponsoring a shipment of supplies that will reach 50 military personnel.

In Bayonne, residents and businesses may drop off supplies or checks, payable to Operation Interdependence, at the A.J. Ward Real Estate office at 205 Broadway or call the office at (201) 858-9273.

"Right now, we're running low on inventory," Dani Jean said. "If people want to bring us supplies, they can best do that by filling a quart-size, ziplock bag, which we will inspect for compliance with military guidelines, and a letter."

Dani Jean said that the Bayonne volunteers are also in need of a space that can be used for storing and assembling the boxes that they ultimately ship out through the Bayonne Post Office.

"Bayonne residents should be proud that the Ward family and other local volunteers have been honored," Mayor Joseph V. Doria Jr. said. "All Americans owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women of our armed forces."