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 1968

 http://www.togetherweteach.com/Sayings/TimCraftstory.htm

 

Today our unit arrived at Camp Horno aboard MCB Camp Pendleton. Today was a day I do not think a lot of the Young Marines or our staff will forget.  We met a lot of Marines that were happy and excited about what we were doing for them. But along with the happiness comes the inevitable sadness to follow it. After the laughter faded the tears and crying started.  Although our hearts fell, we knew this was coming.  They were deploying to Iraq.

            On December 27th our unit’s Executive Officer Theresa Aguilar made liaison with MSgt. Aramas in 1st Marines. Mrs. Aguilar had told the Master Sergeant about Operation DVD and asked if our unit could provide support by handing DVDs out directly to the Marines and their families as they deployed to Iraq. On Friday, December 28th our unit gathered a small cadre of Young Marines and Parents who helped count and divide DVDs for the Master Sergeant’s deployment and 1200 DVDs and CDs were put together , , , . The CO then put into effect “Operation Helping Hands”, this operation is one that is designed to help Operation DVD directly inject its DVDs right into the troops’ hands as they leave. At 0900 the CO, XO, Adjutant, Mr. Smith, LCpl. Aguilar and a small cadre of Young Marines met up at a pre designated rally point and caravanned to Camp Pendleton. Once we arrived at the staging area for the Marines aboard Camp Horno we quickly set up our station.  The XO made liaison with MSgt. Aramas and the Young Marines, the Adjutant, Mr. Smith and LCpl. Aguilar started separating and labeling the DVDs and setting them up on the tables , , , , , .

            A quick inspection and formation for the Marines and their families and the line was on. The Marines slowly started coming up to the table and looked through the DVDs apprehensive at first on who they were for. Then finally a Marine looked at the CO and asked him, “SSgt. how much are the DVDs?” The CO replied, “Marine we collected these for you.  We help Operation DVD provide you with safe entertainment while you are in country.” The Marine answered, “Roger that SSgt.” Then CO Guiles told the Marine that these DVDs are for the Marines, they are free, there is no charge just enjoy them and come home safe. The Marine smiled and said thank you. The news went out quickly some Marines came up with their kids and picked movies out for them.  They told their kids to watch the movie and if it was good to send it over to Daddy. The Marines grabbed as many as they could fit into their duffle bags, some bags could not even close ,, , , ,, , , , ,, . The CO told the senior Marines that when the Marines are done with the movies to trade someone for a different one or take them over to the MWR tent and trade them there so others can watch them. The Marines were thankful and they showed there appreciation by shaking hands with the staff and Young Marines.  Some could not believe that we had given up our weekend to be there for them. Some Marines would come up and look through the movies and then ask a Young Marine if they had seen a special one the Young Marines would immediately look for the movie and if one was not found they would find the Marine another one of the same type or genre and recommend it. They day went on and our DVDs of 1200 quickly dropped to 215. The XO and MSgt Aramas stopped everything for a quick picture of the Young Marines and the Marines before they had to get ready . It was a great feeling seeing these Marines get excited over the movies and seeing how thankful they were for our support. The talk of the deployment quickly subsided between the Marines as they started talking about the movies or CDs they just got , . Some started making out their play lists of what they were going to watch first so they could trade with someone else later. Towards the end of the event the senior officers, Majors and Lieutenant Colonels, approached the Young Marines’ DVD table. They asked CO Guiles what this was for and he replied, “For you and your Marines sir.  We and other Young Marine units do this for you.” The CO explained how Operation DVD was designed to provide safe entertainment for the troops and that we try and get them over to the troops in country as quickly as possible but this seemed like a faster way of injecting the DVDs straight into the troops deployed. The Officers were impressed, they commented on how this was great and that they could already see how the Marines morale was already boosted. The Officers said it was great to see the Young Marines there in support and for giving up their Sunday and driving as far as they had for them. The CO told them nothing was better than being able to be there and support our deploying Marines. The Officers left and one by one they shook hands with the CO and the Young Marines.  The CO told them all to enjoy their movies and to come home safe , , , .
            As we looked around at the last good bye’s and the tearful hugs the Marines headed over to their formation and their own children started to cry and the younger ones would let out loud screams for daddy to come back . It was sad and it really made you appreciate your freedom and how much it costs for these men and women to sacrifice so much and to hear the pain of their loved ones as they left .  It was a day that the CO wished he could have video taped and played it on ever major television station so every American could feel the same way.  As the beginning quote stated from L/Cpl Edwin L. "Tim" Craft in Khe Sanh in 1968 “Freedom has a flavor the protected shall never know” From the Temecula Valley Young Marines to the Marines of the 1st Marines we wish you a safe deployment. Semper Fi Marines, the Young Marines are here for you and so is Operation DVD. As a reward for a job well done for the Young Mariens the CO took the Young Marines to the Mechanized Museum aboard Camp pendleton , , , , You did a great job Young Marines and you showed the Marine Corps that Young Marines are there for them.

You can see more images of this day on the units Photo Page click here