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

 

On Monday night the 25th Mrs. Aguilar, Mr. Aguilar, CO Guiles and YM/GySgt. Guiles loaded 2,240 DVD's and CDs from our units warehouse into the Aguilar's truck. The weekend prior to her going to 29 palms XO Aguilar had YM/GySgt. Guiles gather all of the Assistant Young Marine Instructors this past weekend from February 23rd to the 24th. And together they put Operation DVD stickers on the DVD's and CD's that were handed out to the Marines. YM/GySgt. Guiles also categorized the DVD's into small boxes, so that Marines could grab a box of DVD's that were put in their season or chronological order. It was a lot of hard work for the Young Marines but they knew it was for a good cause and they did not let anything get in their way to accomplish their mission. On Tuesday the 26th of February, 2008. Our unit's Executive Officer and her family bid "Fare winds and following Seas" to their son and former Temecula Valley Young Marine Sergeant, Lance Corporal Brain Aguilar (USMC). LCpl. Aguilar is deploying for his first tour of duty to Iraq it was a bittersweet send off as our XO Mrs. Aguilar her husband and Young Marine Corporals Samantha and Jacob Aguilar said farewell and safe deployment to their brother LCpl. Aguilar. Mrs. Aguilar thought that since her son would mostly be getting ready to leave in early morning that she and her family may as well give the Marines of India Company 3/4 a send off to let them know that their Country, fellow Americans and the Young Marines care about them. In the early morning hours of February 26th, 2008 XO Aguilar her small cadre set up their table with DVD's and continued with the units "Operation Helping Hands". During the day when the Marines were coming up to the table YM/Cpl's. Aguilar helped the Marines and family members locate movies and CD's , , , The Marines were excited and eagerly picked through the DVD's , ,, . A Marine told Mrs. Aguilar he was a huge Jackie Chan fan and was looking for any of his movies. Well it was lucky for that Marine the YM/GySgt. Guiles put all of the Jackie Chan movies (7 total) together in a small box. As the day drew near XO Aguilar took some final Pictures and everyone said goodbye to their Marines for a little while until they return , , , . The Marines of India Co. 3/4 loaded their buses and with a thumbs up to everyone they were on their way. The Command of India 3/4 was impressed by XO Aguilar's show of support and that of her Young Marines that they gave official 3/4 T-Shirts to the two Young Marine Corporals. At the end of the day their were not many DVD's and CD's left and what was left over Mrs. Aguilar asked the Regimental command if they could please pass them out to the rest of the Marines. The Regiment obliged and said they would make sure the rest of the Marines leaving would get what was left of the DVD's. For some people it seems like a small gesture for something so huge that the Marines give but what people do not understand is this. On the bus ride to the airbase the Marines will talk about their movies, on the plane ride to Iraq the Marines will talk about their movies and when they are in Iraq they will watch re watch and trade the movies out between each other , . Hopefully during their deployment for just a little while the hardships they are and will face will be a little dimmer because of the efforts of fellow Americans who helped bring this little piece of safe entertainment and relaxation to their lives. We wish your son a safe and good tour XO Aguilar as well as the Marines of India Co. 3/4. We want to see them all come home safe and unharmed from their deployment. Outstanding job to the Young Marines of Temecula valley, and thank you to everyone who has donated and has helped us bring a small piece of enjoyment to our troops.

Semper Fi, America

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