Photo By Capt. Cheran Campbell | Remsenbugr-Speonk Elementary School students assemble back to school supply packages...... read more read more
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SPEONK, N.Y. - Last year Remsenburg-Speonk Elementary School
students sent care packages to deployed members of the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing deployed in Afghanistan.
So on Thursday, March 20, unit members who received those care packages visited the school to say thanks.
"It's an honor to give thanks back to a community that sent over care packages while we were deployed, especially during the holiday season," said Lt. Col. Robert Siebelts, commander of the 106th Maintenance Squadron. "They made our time overseas a little bit easier and gave us a part of home."
The elementary students sent more than 100 care packages to deployed 106th members. Those packages were not only shared with American airmen but with fellow Marines and British soldiers as well.
"Our British counterparts were not getting any mail at the time as their airlift was diverted. They didn't even get Christmas presents, and for us to share our care packages made a real difference," Siebelts explained.
Rocco Carriero, chief executive officer of Rocco A. Carriero & Associates, a financial adviser in Southampton, spearheaded the care package project with the students and the 106th Rescue Wing Airman and Family Readiness Office.
"I drive by the base every day, and I always wonder what's happening behind the fence?" Carriero said.
Carriero got in contact with the Family Readiness Office and helped forge a partnership with the elementary school, where Carriero's daughter attends classes.
"I wanted Ella, her friends and her classmates to know the importance of supporting the troops,” he explained
After a slideshow presentation from Siebelts about the wing’s mission, and a demonstration of pararescue equipment from Maj. Edward Boughal, the students kicked off a new project to help 106th Rescue Wing families.
Attendees and students began assembly of numerous back-to-school supply packages. These packages will be given out to children of the wing’s members in preparation for the 2014 fall school session.
The 106th Rescue Wing is based at FS Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach.
| Date Taken: | 03.20.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.26.2014 13:30 |
| Story ID: | 122623 |
| Location: | SPEONK, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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