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thedrifter
12-21-06, 06:44 AM
Article published Dec 21, 2006
Local supporters send Christmas trees to Marines of Company B

JOSHUA STOWE
Tribune Staff Writer

Fred Dodd, a retired South Bend Marine Corps photojournalist, is in Iraq photographing and writing about the Marines of Engineer Company B, a South Bend Reserve unit. He has a blog and is shooting video, too. Visit our Company B Web site, www.southbendtribune.com/companyb.

As Christmas nears, Beth Briskey finds it comforting to know that her son has his own tree to remind him of home while he serves in Iraq with a local Marine Reserve unit.

The LaPorte woman's son, 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Derik Briskey, is with Engineer Company B, based in South Bend. He and his fellow Marines have their own miniature Christmas trees thanks to the efforts of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 360 and its ladies auxiliary in Mishawaka, which have adopted the unit.

"It was a big deal," Briskey said. "Personally it just warmed my heart to know that so many people in the community backed that project. It was just a piece of home. ... We hope all the guys feel the love that was sent with these trees from the families back home."

The artificial trees, which stand about 18 inches tall, were part of a fundraiser on Veterans Day, said Pat Whitfield. She and her husband, Jerry, have overseen the VFW/auxiliary adoption of Company B.

Volunteers gathered at Wal-Mart in Mishawaka to sell Company B paraphernalia, including shirts and magnets, she said.For $10, passers-by could buy a miniature tree with decorations to be sent overseas to Company B, Whitfield said, and many did. Volunteers sent some 176 trees overseas and gave one to the parents of Cpl. Aaron Seal, the Elkhart Marine who was killed on Oct. 1 by sniper fire.

All told, volunteers raised some $4,000 for families of Company B, Whitfield said.

"It really worked out good," Whitfield said, adding that the Marines appreciate little touches like the trees. "They know people are at home thinking about them. It brightens things up a bit."

The trees and the fundraising are part of a larger volunteer effort to help the families of Company B Marines, Whitfield said. The VFW and its auxiliary have also served Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the families.

"They've done so well by us, taking care of us," said Maj. Celeste Ross. "It's been above and beyond anything we could have expected."More merchandise on tap

People can still buy Company B-themed shirts, magnets and teddy bears, Whitfield said. Proceeds will go to unit families.

Shirts are $12 for all sizes through XL; sizes 2XL and 3XL are $14 apiece. Magnets are $5 each, and teddy bears are $10.

To buy merchandise, call Whitfield at (574) 252-9425 or the VFW Post 360 at (574) 255-4125.

Send a package overseasVFW and auxiliary volunteers will send packages to military personnel serving abroad, whatever their unit, Whitfield said.

To have a package sent, call Whitfield or the VFW. Or write to VFW Post 360, 1307 E. Jefferson Blvd., Mishawaka, IN 46545.

Ellie