Photo By Cpl. Daniel Wulz | Master Sgt. Joel Y. Whitmoyer, intelligence chief, for Regional Command Southwest and...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Receiving mail from home is perhaps one of the most uplifting things that can happen to a deployed servicemember.
When a Marine receives a care package or letter, he or she automatically feels as though someone on the other side of the world cares just a little bit more, and when a whole group of people, like the Perry United Methodist Men of Perry, Ga., get together to send boxes upon boxes to Marines and sailors aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, that feeling of appreciation and care is multiplied.
For Operation Leatherneck, that is just what the Perry UM Men did.
Since Aug. 28, Master Sgt. Joel Y. Whitmoyer, intelligence chief, Regional Command Southwest, has been receiving packages from the church organization to give to his Marines and other servicemembers on the base.
“It’s nice to see people send something from home, even if it’s not specifically for you,” said Whitmoyer, a native of Benton, Penn. “It saves you a trip to the exchange and makes life easier and more convenient.”
The program started earlier in the year after Whitmoyer received an email from his father, a member of Perry UM Men, asking what Marines needed or wanted in Afghanistan.
From there, the group began boxing and shipping items such as baby wipes, trail mix and beef jerky. So far the group has sent 35 boxes to Whitmoyer and his Marines in August and September alone.
“The generosity is incredible,” said Lt. Col. Michael D. Reilly. “What this group is doing is not cheap or easy, it’s just staggering and I’m very appreciative. I’ve sent several thank you letters to them.”
The group communicates with Whitmoyer regularly and plans on continuing to send boxes at least every month until Christmas.
In October, they will be sending mostly powdered drink mixes, baked goods and comic books to the Marines.
“Baby wipes have definitely been the most used thing so far,” said Lance Cpl. Shanna E. Colvin, an intelligence clerk, RC Southwest. “It’s always nice to get boxes and have these things; it puts a smile on your face kind of like Christmas.”
Whitmoyer and his office submitted a letter to thank the group to Maj. Gen John A. Toolan, the commanding general of RC Southwest, as part of the initiative to thank all the groups supporting the Marines and other troops in Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 09.17.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.17.2011 06:06 |
| Story ID: | 77176 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 172 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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