For the second year in a row, Dr. Robert Reitz is shipping the candy overseas, but you may be surprised at its use. It may seem like a treat for the troops, but in reality, Dr. Reitz says its saving lives.

Local dentist Robert Reitz is collecting excess halloween candy for a second straight year. "In the long run, what we're really doing is saving lives," says the Sioux Falls based dentist. But, he's not talking about saving kids from oral complications, but that is part of it. What's he's referring to is where the candy goes; Afghanistan and Iraq, into the hands of U.S. soldiers.

"Troops distribute that to the children and the children in turn help them to identify the bad guys, where they're at, where the booby traps are at," says Reitz.

The candy is essentially used as a bargaining tool and knowing that his efforts are making a difference not only in the dental health of area kids, but all the way overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, gives Dr. Reitz a little extra satisfaction, and a feeling he says is hard to describe. "Its one of gratitude. We're glad to do it and hopefully its making a difference in the end."

The candy is sent to California first through a program called Operation Gratitude.

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