Marines visit children who sent care packages

By: K.C. GERRITSEN - For the North County Times | Thursday, March 24, 2005 12:08 AM PST ∞

VALLEY CENTER ---- It was a surprise party from the heart Wednesday evening, when 10 Miramar-based Marines and their captain paid a visit to children in the Salvation Army Escondido Corps' after-school program to thank them for cards and care packages the group send last Christmas to the troops serving in Iraq.

"It was really touching to get the packages," said Capt. John Nguyen of the Marine Wing Communication Squadron, Unit 48, and spokesman for the troops that stopped by to express their gratitude.

"There was a lot of neat stuff. We knew we wanted to spend some time when we got back, thanking those organizations," Nguyen said.

Home after serving a six-month deployment just outside Fallujah, from August until February, the Marines wanted to personally let the kids know how much they appreciated the gesture.

On the sly, the Marines ---- along with the Salvation Army's officers --- coordinated the surprise visit to meet the children in Escondido.

Nguyen presented the children with a photo of the entire squadron, as well as a certificate stating the troops' appreciation to the group that supported them.

Alternately, the youth organization's adult leaders honored the Marines with a surprise Mexican dinner catered by La Cocina del Charro. The troops and the kids broke bread and got to know one another.

Cpl. George Partida said he felt especially privileged to spend time with the children.

"They're great kids," he said. "They took the time to send us packages and I really appreciate it. These are the people I'm fighting for."

The care package idea flowed form the heart of a mom, Maria Hernandez, whose son Marine Staff Sgt. Luis Hernandez was spending last Christmas in Iraq with the 150 troops in Unit 48.

Maria Hernandez' daughter, Christina, participates in the Salvation Army's "SONday'SCHOOL," an after-school program that provides homework help, sit-down dinners and Bible time for families in need.

Hernandez serves as leader for the Sunbeams, a youth group geared for girls ages 5 to 11.

"The Sunbeams have to do a service project every quarter," said Hernandez, adding that her son told her some of his fellow soldiers weren't receiving regular mail. "We thought .. let's do something for the troops. So that's where it came from."

The group, along with the Salvation Army's troop for older girls, the Girl Guards, and their male counterparts, the Adventure Corps., put together 32 packages containing razors, toothbrushes, combs and other items.

Also included were Christmas cards, graced with personal notes, questions and expressions of thanks.

The project didn't end there. According to Hernandez, the children recently sent another round of cards and packages to the troops that replaced Unit 48 in Iraq.

The latest bundles contained some of the same items, but with other welcome additions.

"We sent them snacks: trail mix, sunflower seeds and Kool-Aid," she said. "All they drink is water and after time, the water gets kind of tiring. So with the Kool-Aid packages, they can get whatever flavor they want.

Whatever the packages contained, Partida pointed to the mental bolstering that comes with the tangible goods.

"It (gives) us a sense that people aren't forgetting what we're doing out there," he said.

And in words that defied his young years, Levi Williams, 11, expressed pride for serving the troops through the care package project.

"It was a good thing to help out. They are serving us and helping us, so we should help them out. I wish I could do more."

For more information on the Salvation Army after-school program, call (760) 745-8616.