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thedrifter
05-20-06, 07:43 AM
The father of all motherboards
UNION-TRIBUNE COMMUNITY NEWS WRITER

May 20, 2006

CAMP PENDLETON – Marine Cpl. Maurice Perez probably wouldn't have a computer if it weren't for Staff Sgt. Osborne “Ozzie” Simmons.

Neither would some of his neighbors around the base.

Simmons has given several dozen computers to financially-strapped Marines unable to buy one.

His kitchen table is covered with parts for rebuilding computers. That means Simmons and his wife and children often eat around a stack of hard drives, sound cards and motherboards.

But that's OK as long as he can keep fixing computers and giving them to Marines and their families who need one.

“He has a pulse on who needs the machines,” said George Brown, director of the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA.

Simmons downplays what he does. He calls it, “Marines helping Marines.”

For Perez, it helps him take classes on the Internet when he's off duty and the library is closed.

For spouses, the computer helps them keep in touch with loved ones serving overseas through e-mail.

One of the first Marines Helping Marines projects that Simmons started at Camp Pendleton three years ago was making “missing you” videos.

Simmons set up cameras and made DVDs so that families could send video messages to deployed Marines. “It was a way for families to feel closer during deployment,” Simmons said. He has also used his high-tech know-how to help community groups and area schools.

Simmons helped San Onofre Elementary students get a news program up and running so they could deliver current events from Iraq and around the world to the school.

The idea was to encourage children to talk about the news.

“He's a great guy,” said Barbara Barnes, San Onofre's principal.

On weekends, Simmons is often at the recreation center at Pendleton's School of Infantry, where he mentors young recruits.

“He's helped so many people in so many ways,” said Sgt. Derrell Hawthorne, a friend of Simmons.

Simmons does it all on top of caring for his wife who needs to go to the hospital three times a week for dialysis.

Next month, Simmons is scheduled to donate a kidney to his wife. But he doesn't want to make a big deal about it.

He plans to bring his laptop to the hospital, in case someone might e-mail him about needing a computer or donating equipment.

“He's all about helping Marines,” Perez said.

Computers can be donated through the Camp Pendleton Armed Service YMCA. To donate a computer or computer parts, or to send messages of encouragement, e-mail Simmons at ozziesimmons@gmail.com or call the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA at (760) 385-4921.

Ellie