MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --
Many Marines celebrate the holidays listening to Christmas
carols, decorating a Christmas tree or linking up with friends and family over
a Christmas dinner. But for some Marines stationed at Cherry Point, Christmas
will be a little different this year.
Marines with Marine
Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 are spending the holiday season far
away, a vital component of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force
Crisis Response, Moron Air Base, Spain.
To spread holiday
cheer to Marines deployed overseas, the Fleet Readiness Center East In-Service
Support Center activities team spent more than three months preparing to
brighten the spirits of Marines and Sailors who cannot be home this holiday
season.
Through donations,
the team collected, boxed and donated more than 118 care packages to send to
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Marines and Sailors supporting SPMAGTF-CR during the
holidays.
“We are acutely aware of the vital role our Marines and
Sailors serve in protecting our freedoms,” said Angela Strong, the planning and
sustainment department secretary with ISSC. “It is just a small token of our
appreciation for what they do to preserve our way of life and the ability to
enjoy a holiday at home with our families.”
The team collected a variety of comfort items, including
canned goods, toiletries and beef jerky. Along with comfort items, the
department plans to send video games, books and other entertainment luxuries to
the deployed Marines.
“We only wish they could be at home as well, but since they
cannot, it is important to send them a small taste of home for the holidays,”
said Strong.
The teams mission is
to support the warfighter. The activities committee is tasked with supporting
the morale of ISSC employees and wanted to extend that to service members from
Cherry Point deployed overseas, said Strong.
“This effort will give the Marines a huge boost in morale,”
said Icy Munchel, the family readiness officer for Marine Aerial Refueler
Transport Squadron 252. “Here at Otis, we are always amazed at the act of
kindness that comes our way. We are here to support and thankful to our
supporters.”