Operation Helping Hands
"For those that will fight for it...FREEDOM.. Has a flavor the protected shall never know."
~ L/Cpl Edwin L. "Tim" Craft, B Co 3rd AT's, Khe Sanh Combat Base.
February 1968http://www.togetherweteach.com/Sayings/TimCraftstory.htm
On March 10th, 2008 CO guiles received a flash email from GySgt. Smothers from MCB Camp Pendleton's 1st Intel Battalion. He asked if the unit could provide support and hand out DVDs to his deploying Marines and Sailors. CO Guiles told GySgt Smothers "All we need is a time, date and place, GySgt Smothers said the unit would be deploying in four days. The Unit had some work to do with that request from, Thursday March 13th to Friday night the 14th at 0001. Mrs. Guiles, Young Marines GySgt. Joshua Guiles and GySgt Nicholas Guiles prepped over 750 DVDs to be handed out on Saturday morning the 15th of March to the deploying Marines of 1st Intel Battalion. On the Morning of March 15th at 0600 CO Guiles, XO Aguilar, Young Marines GySgt. Joshua Guiles and Cpl. Aguilar loaded the 750 DVD's and and one DVD player Into the CO's vehicle. The small cadre from the unit (The rest of the unit is on a unit break during recruit training). drove to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, where they met GySgt Smothers at the base's main exchange. CO Guiles followed GySgt Smothers up to their CP, Gunny Smothers showed the CO where he wanted to set up the tables and DVDs
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. Within in twenty-five minutes the small cadre had everything ready to go
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. At first it was pretty slow only a few Marines came up to look at the DVDs
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. The CO asked if more were coming up? Gunny Smothers informed the CO that there was a massive line of Marines outside of the Armory drawing their weapons and they would be up ASAP. The Gunny was right not more than ten minutes later the Marines came up to table they were a little apprehensive at first a few Marines asked YM/GySgt. Guiles And Ym/Cpl. Aguilar how much the DVDs were the Young Marines said they were free "Sir" we help collect and hand them out for Operation DVD
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. Some asked why were doing this was it a fundraiser, how much were they, what was this for? CO Guiles answered no we do this for you and all of the armed services. The CO also said these DVDs are provided to you free from all over the country from Operation DVD. These were collected for you to enjoy some safe entertainment and so that you know your country cares about you. As the day progressed marines and Sailors and family members were coming up to the table
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one Marines wife was picking his movies out for him to watch while he was deployed. The CO gave a lucky Marine a DVD player that was sent in he said it was kind of large but he could take it over
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XO Aguilar was busy handing out boxes of X-Files DVDs with a collectors script that were donated from Time Life. There were many thank you's from all of the Marines, Sailors and family members. A Marine told the CO that he would bring the DVDs back they could be used again. The CO said "If you could do us a favor and take them to MWR in Country to be used by others that would be great" that way others can use them. The Young Corporal said he would do that and he make sure they knew where they came from. It was fun to watch the Marines faces as they dove in and looked for certain movies or types of movies. The Young Marines did an outstanding job saluting Officers helping the Marines, children and family members locate movies
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to almost 100 left and then the unfortunate word was passed to form up the unit. Unfortunately as always the crying began and the wailing of the children as they had to say goodbye to Mommy or Daddy. It was a great morning an accomplishment for everyone who works with and donates to Operation DVD you have all lifted these Marines and Sailors spirits while they are deployed.
Semper Fi, America
You can see more images of this day on the units Photo Page click here