Operation Guardian Angel 29, 2005 to October 1, 2005 - In August of 2005 CO Guiles who is also the 3rd Battalion Commander in the California Regiment issued an order to his Commanding Officers the order was simple "We shall help our fellow Americans and Young Marines who have been afflicted by Hurricane Katrina". Operation Guardian Angel was under way after 30 days of fundraising CO Guiles was able to band together 22 Young Marines units raise nearly $24,000, food, clothing for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The National Executive director responded to all of those involved with this email:
Young Marines, COs, Volunteer Staffs,
I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of the hard work you have shown in helping out your fellow Young Marine units. In looking at the addressees, I am encouraged that this activity has taken in both coasts and north to south. The money you have raised in taking care of those who are unable to raise the immediate funds necessary to get back on their feet is a tribute to your character. We must also be mindful that there are lots of Young Marines who are displaced and may never get back to their homes in the New Orleans metropolitan area. They are out there somewhere, and we need to find them. Most likely, they will find us, and when they do, we need to get them back into the program as though they have never skipped a bit. If one joins your unit, let me know so that we can get them back in good standing through our database administrator and get them into a uniform.
When they talk about the core values of our United States Marine Corps, they talk about the kind of work you are doing; the kind of compassion to others that you are displaying; and the kind of Semper Fidelis that continues to make our program a little different from so any others.
Keep up the great work. You make me truly proud.
Semper Fi
M. Kessler
In August of 2005 the Temecula Valley Young Marines spearheded Operation "Guardian Angel" to help the vitims of Hurricane Katrina. In less that 30 days 24 Young Marine Units joined forces to and raised $24,000 and numerous ammounts of food and clothing for hurricane Katrina survivors.
"Operation pages" December 23, 2006 to 1 February 2007 - In early December CO Guiles received a phone call asking for assistance for the owners of a book store that was going out of business. The owners asked if the unit could possibly get their books to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. CO Guiles told the book store owners it will take a while but we will get them there. On December 23rd a small cadre lead by CO Guiles went up to Barstow, Ca and picked up 10,000 books to be delivered to the troops. This small act of Esprit de Corps became known as "Operation Pages". On February 1, 2007 SgtMajor. Bryan Vaughn (Ret) was able to help the unit secure a KC130 heading over to Iraq and Afghanistan they said they would be more than happy to deliver the books to the troops over there.
Operation "National Anthem" January 17, 2007 to June 14, 2007 - Operation National Anthem is actually taken from the First Lady's Project National Anthem. In this Operation it is the goal of the Temecula Valley Young Marines to help spread the word of the National Anthem. The unit is also trying to have as many people from their community come together to sing the National Anthem on Flag day.
On March 24th, 2007 the Commanding Officer started "Operation Creative Minds"- this is an internal operation aimed at getting our Young Marines and their parents involved in submitting stories to be read on our web site. The Commanding Officer has authorized a $500 (529 College Education plan) to the Young Marine who submits the most stories in a 12 month period.
In June of 2006 the Temecula Valley Young Marines took on the Challenge of Sending DVDs to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan this was called "Operation DVD" by AMVETS. the unit quickly amassed 189 DVDs and sent them in within 3 weeks of the announcement. In Early 2007 the Temecula Valley Young Marines partnered with the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (Songs) and an LA based band Sandbox. The unit and their allies were able to collect 1,579 DVDs, CDs and VHS tapes and 4 DVD players. for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and for their families back home. This Operation was concluded in July of 2009 in all the Temecula Valley Young Marines have been honored to have sent our troops 65,000 DVDs, 23,000 CDs, and 6,000 Video Games.
In January of 2007 the Temecula Valley Young Marines were asked to help their fellow Young Marines by Amvets "Operation Provide Support". The idea was to ship 75 empty Operation DVD boxes to the Young Marines in Okinawa, Japan so they too could participate in Operation DVD. Operation Helping Hand was born after 5 months of trying the Temecula Valley Young Marines finally were able to secure a C-130 and on June 1st 75 Empty boxes were shipped to the Okinawa Young Marine units.
In June of 2007 Operation "DVD lift for the troops" - In processLockheed Martin is also collecting DVDs with the Temecula Valley Young Marines along with the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) and Sandbox an LA based band. On Friday June 15, 2007 the Temecula Valley Young Marines successfully sent to the troops in Iraq: 800 DVDs, 550 CDs, 4 DVD players, 14 copies of the Esprit magazine, and two Temecula Valley Young Marine Flags
August 12th, 2007 the Temecula Valley Young Marines Participated in "Operation Home Front" in Oceanside, California. Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)3 founded after September 11, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,000 volunteers in 31 chapters nationwide. Since its inception, Operation Homefront has provided critical assistance to more than 45,000 military families in need.
On October 21st 2007, the Temecula Valley Young Marines have started Operation "Red Ribbon Week 2007". The Commanding Officer will be sending out the Units Drug Demand Reduction CD to every Young Marine Unit around the world. The National Executive Director approved CO Guiles' request to provide this Cd to all of our Young Marine Units.
"Operation Provide Comfort" On october 23rd, 2007 CO Guiles was called by the local Red Cross station who asked if the Young Marines could provide support for families being evacuated during the California firestorm. CO Guiles quickly put together a small task force of Young Marines, Staff and Parent Volunteers. The Unit brought 80 Cots, 80 Wool Blankets and 600 bottles of Ice Tea for the victims of the firestorm. The Young Marines and Staff set up the cots to readily accept evacuated citizens. The Unit was asked to stay on alert status for the Cities of Temecula and Murrieta in case they were to be needed. CO Guiles Officially ended This Operation on November 1st the unit recived a Certficate of Appreciation from the City of Temecula for this Operation.
"Operton Helping Hands" This Opeation was initiated on 12/30/07, it is an operation to directly inject DVDs from Operation DVD into the troops ahnds by going to the deploying units and handing out DVDs to them and their families as they deploy.
"Operton Christmas Lift 2008" This Operation was designed for an adopted unit that has been deployed Iraq, it is our way of bringing a little Christmas cheer to the deployed troops.
"Operton Christmas Lift 2009" This Operation was designed for adopted units that have been deployed to Afghanistan, it is our way of bringing a little Christmas cheer to the deployed troops.