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(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Volunteers and members of American Legion Post 34 make care packages for U.S. Marines in four locations across the globe. Some the locations the care packages will be sent include Japan and Spain. -
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Volunteers and American Legion Post 34 members seal packages containing letters and pictures to be included with care packages for U.S. Marines across the globe. -
(ANDREA LOWERY | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Volunteers and American Legion Post 34 members pose in front of boxes stuffed with goodies, letters and pictures for U.S. Marines. The care packages will be shipped across the globe to four locations.
Young County volunteers, students and organizations joined together this week creating care packages to support U.S. Marines in four locations around the world.
The initiative was led by Young County Veterans Service Officer Adam LaVine and funded by the American Legion Post 34.
“When I was deployed, I received care packages right before my second mission. …Since I’m a civilian now, I wanted to return the favor and contact my last unit and do the same to just pay it forward and just return the favor,” LaVine said.
The idea to create care packages came to LaVine in March as a way to use his position to facilitate a community project to give back to service members.
“I’m a Marine Corps infantryman and Marine Corps squad leader. I was in from 2015 to 2019 where I deployed twice under this command that we’re sending packages to, a Marine Corps security force regiment, which is a special operations capable command,” LaVine said. “I went to the fleet. I went from the East Coast to the West Coast and I served under... 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines - 1st Marine Division.”
The veterans service officer wanted those forward deployed in his previous unit to receive a care package, “Thank you” letter and know that even in rural America they had support.
“The four destinations for these packages are going to be every forward deployed installation for Marine Corps security forces, which is going to be Bahrain, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Yokosuka, Japan and Rota, Spain,” LaVine said.
Every service member will receive two letters of support which were supplied from fourth and fifth grade students from across the county along with pictures drawn from the county’s first, second and third grade students.
Area volunteers and members of Post 34 spent the evening Wednesday, April 22 packaging bags and “Thank You” cards for veterans. The bags included homemade Rice Krispies Treats, a Gatorade drink pouch, a Slim Jim, Laffy Taffty, skittles and a four pack of crayons as a gag gift.
While LaVine is hoping to send care packages annually, another community need is approaching.
With Memorial Day upcoming next month Monday, May 26, LaVine and the American Legion Post 34 are coordinating placing flags on the graves of veterans at Young County cemeteries.
The organization is placing American flags at 9 a.m. Friday, May 23 and will be meeting at the Pioneer Cemetery gazebo.
The flags will be picked up at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 27 with the group meeting at the same location.
“If anyone would like to contribute or volunteer to help out, it’ll be right at the end of school at the start of summer so everyone would be available,” LaVine said. “We would definitely need all the help we can get. People underestimate how many veterans are in our local cemeteries.”
