Military Care Packages Express Military Appreciation

Every week, dozens of packages marked with the names of Marines flood the mailroom floor.

From the outside, these packages all look the same; but inside they represent personal reminders of their military home lives for the Marines of Task Force 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-5. These packages are more than just food, toiletries and trinkets; they represent love for the Marines, from those who consider the great service of these military men and women overseas. The gratitude in these packages have been raising the morale of military service members for decades.

Many care packages come from people these Marines have never met, which makes them even more special.

"It's like Christmas every time you get one," said Lance Cpl. Brandt D. Warman, 19, a machine gunner from Del Norte, Colo., with Combined Anti-Armor Team White, Weapons Company, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines. "It's cool whenever you get a package from someone you don't know."

The packages help more than just the deployed military service members. Mothers from across the nation find happiness in sending packages filled with comfort to both their Marines, and the Marines serving with their sons and daughters, thousands of miles from home.

"My family sends packages to my friends, too.usually they take turns picking a different (Marine) in the platoon," said Lance Cpl. Charles Q. Dorr, 21, team leader, 1st Platoon, Company L, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, from Santa Ana, Calif.. "It's a morale booster. Knowing that it came from home and family feels good."

Lori Tovrea said that after losing her 21-year-old daughter in a car accident, she began donating to deployed military service members and it made her feel better.

Seeing pictures that the Marines sent her back and knowing that she made a difference meant a lot to her, she said.
Vicky Mohler donated packages when her son, Lance Cpl. Aaron D. Mohler, deployed to Iraq twice in 2005 and 2007. Then she created the organization Support America's Armed Forces, which has sent care packages to thousands of active military deployed far from home.

"A simple card or something that reminds them of home can make an impact on how (the military) keep a positive attitude and stay focused," said Mohler.