thedrifter
07-04-06, 07:22 AM
Group Helps Marines Upgrade Helmets
SAN DIEGO -- With so many rotations in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan, the government can have a hard time catching up with the needs of those who are deployed.
That is where the public has taken it upon themselves to help.
Marine convoys head out on a patrol and run into an improvised explosive device -- thankfully, it is only a simulation.
Many Marines and Marine reserves will face the real thing soon enough, and many said they believe they are not as protected as they could be.
“The main thing the pads in the helmet do is absorb the energy of a bomb blast, which other lightweight helmets were not designed to do,” said Marine wife Shannan Limon.
Before Limon’s husband was deployed, he was looking to upgrade his standard Marine helmet, but the upgrade kit cost about $100.
That is when the 10,000 RV store stepped in.
“Cher happened to be on CNN talking with Anderson Cooper about Operation Helmet,” said Tony Freeman of 10,000 RV.
Cher attended a hearing with Dr. Robert Meagers -- the founder of Operation Helmet who went to Congress convinced that the webbing in other helmets did not offer protection when it comes to IEDs.
“This is something the guys are asking for and they either have to purchase it themselves if they want it or depend on Operation Helmet to send it,” said Limon.
To that effort, 10,000 RV stepped up with at $10,000 check and a challenge to others.
“Send off a donation to Operation Helmet and we will match it during the month of July. We think that will eliminate the backlog of upgrade kits,” said Freeman.
That backlog is roughly 450 kits.
The Marines are not yet convinced the upgrades will be more effective, but they are beginning tests.
Those interested in contributing can pick up a form at the 10,000 RV sales center on Kearny Mesa Road or visit OperationHelmet.org.
Ellie
SAN DIEGO -- With so many rotations in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan, the government can have a hard time catching up with the needs of those who are deployed.
That is where the public has taken it upon themselves to help.
Marine convoys head out on a patrol and run into an improvised explosive device -- thankfully, it is only a simulation.
Many Marines and Marine reserves will face the real thing soon enough, and many said they believe they are not as protected as they could be.
“The main thing the pads in the helmet do is absorb the energy of a bomb blast, which other lightweight helmets were not designed to do,” said Marine wife Shannan Limon.
Before Limon’s husband was deployed, he was looking to upgrade his standard Marine helmet, but the upgrade kit cost about $100.
That is when the 10,000 RV store stepped in.
“Cher happened to be on CNN talking with Anderson Cooper about Operation Helmet,” said Tony Freeman of 10,000 RV.
Cher attended a hearing with Dr. Robert Meagers -- the founder of Operation Helmet who went to Congress convinced that the webbing in other helmets did not offer protection when it comes to IEDs.
“This is something the guys are asking for and they either have to purchase it themselves if they want it or depend on Operation Helmet to send it,” said Limon.
To that effort, 10,000 RV stepped up with at $10,000 check and a challenge to others.
“Send off a donation to Operation Helmet and we will match it during the month of July. We think that will eliminate the backlog of upgrade kits,” said Freeman.
That backlog is roughly 450 kits.
The Marines are not yet convinced the upgrades will be more effective, but they are beginning tests.
Those interested in contributing can pick up a form at the 10,000 RV sales center on Kearny Mesa Road or visit OperationHelmet.org.
Ellie