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Photo Information

Icy Munchel, left, Megan Goold, center, and Katie Contento place care packages under a Christmas tree at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 3, 2014. Members of the In-Service Support Center with the Fleet Readiness Center East at Cherry Point donated more than 118 care packages to Marines and Sailors with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252. The packages contained toiletries, comfort items and video games. Munchel is the family readiness officer with VMGR-252; Goold is a chemist with Naval Air Systems Command; and Conento is a T-64 engineer with NAVAIR.

Photo by Cpl. Unique B. Roberts

Cherry Point civilians send care packages to deployed Marines, Sailors

12 Dec 2014 | Cpl. U. B. Roberts Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

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.”


Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point