wrbones
03-10-03, 09:39 AM
Posted this fer BarnDog. He knows some of those boys.
http://www.lsj.com/news/local/030303marines_1a-8a.html
How to help
Families of the activated reservists will be helped with everything from transportation to home repairs by area veterans organizations. To volunteer to help, call the Mount Moriah American Legion Post No. 460 at 882-6070 or the Capital Area Detachment of the Marine Corps League at 676-1651.
By Christine MacDonald
Lansing State Journal
For the families of 130 activated area Marine reservists, Sunday was an emotional prelude to goodbye.
Reservists, spouses and parents armed with spiral notebooks crowded into a Lansing hotel conference room, taking notes on everything from getting military health benefits to delaying college loan payments.
The mobilization orders for the Lansing-based Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment came a week ago to join the possible war in the Middle East. But for many of the Marines it didn't sink in until Sunday's Family Day at the Holiday Inn on West Saginaw Highway.
"The worst is seeing what she's going through," said 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Nick Cowdry of Bath, gesturing toward his girlfriend, Traci Day. They've been best friends since fourth grade.
"I don't even know how to explain it," said Day, 21, also of Bath. "This is just a shock."
Making the situation more difficult, the reservists don't know when or where they will be going overseas.
In the meantime, the Marines - who come from all over mid-Michigan - will work out of the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center on East Saginaw. Most are staying in local hotels. The Marines get a salary and health benefits, and their civilian jobs are protected until they return.
On Sunday, mothers nervously clutched their purses and young women hung onto the hands of their Marine boyfriends as speakers talked about power of attorney and wills.
Veterans groups served hot dogs and orange pop. They plan to help the reservists' families while the Marines are gone, providing everything from transportation to home repair.
"We usually just go to meetings, but now that these guys are leaving we will do anything we can to help," said Harvey Gile, a member of the Mount Moriah American Legion Post No. 460.
The father of 21-year-old Pvt. Harold Leek Jr., a Walter French Academy graduate, said he felt a mix of emotions Sunday.
"We know they may be going in harm's way, but we are proud of them," said Harold Leek Sr., of Lansing.
A young girl wearing an American flag sweater hung onto her dad's legs. A boy wore his father's camouflage hat, covering most of his face.
Pvt. Jesus Arroyo of Lansing said leaving his 13-month-old son, Adrian, will be the toughest part.
He just started walking.
"It is going to be hard," the 21-year-old said.
Sgt. Jeremy Swift's 9-year-old daughter, Brooke, has been asking for several months whether he would have to leave.
Brooke cried after he told her the orders had come. She left a note for him in the bag he packed last week, saying she is proud but sad he is leaving.
"I just told her there are a lot of things that Marines do ... and we will be back as soon as we can," the 26-year-old from Charlotte said. "It is an emotional time. We could be gone for a year or more."
Despite having to leave his family, Swift said he supports President Bush's stance on Iraq.
"I just think it's the right thing to do," Swift said.
But others, like Arroyo's older brother Hector Arroyo Jr., said Bush hasn't exhausted all other options to prevent war. He said he is disappointed to see his brother leave because of the conflict.
"As a family we support him," Hector Arroyo Jr. said. "But we would rather see him going on a peacekeeping mission."
Contact Christine MacDonald at 377-1286 or cmacdona@lsj.com.
Email this story to a friend | Print story
http://www.lsj.com/news/local/030303marines_1a-8a.html
How to help
Families of the activated reservists will be helped with everything from transportation to home repairs by area veterans organizations. To volunteer to help, call the Mount Moriah American Legion Post No. 460 at 882-6070 or the Capital Area Detachment of the Marine Corps League at 676-1651.
By Christine MacDonald
Lansing State Journal
For the families of 130 activated area Marine reservists, Sunday was an emotional prelude to goodbye.
Reservists, spouses and parents armed with spiral notebooks crowded into a Lansing hotel conference room, taking notes on everything from getting military health benefits to delaying college loan payments.
The mobilization orders for the Lansing-based Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment came a week ago to join the possible war in the Middle East. But for many of the Marines it didn't sink in until Sunday's Family Day at the Holiday Inn on West Saginaw Highway.
"The worst is seeing what she's going through," said 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Nick Cowdry of Bath, gesturing toward his girlfriend, Traci Day. They've been best friends since fourth grade.
"I don't even know how to explain it," said Day, 21, also of Bath. "This is just a shock."
Making the situation more difficult, the reservists don't know when or where they will be going overseas.
In the meantime, the Marines - who come from all over mid-Michigan - will work out of the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center on East Saginaw. Most are staying in local hotels. The Marines get a salary and health benefits, and their civilian jobs are protected until they return.
On Sunday, mothers nervously clutched their purses and young women hung onto the hands of their Marine boyfriends as speakers talked about power of attorney and wills.
Veterans groups served hot dogs and orange pop. They plan to help the reservists' families while the Marines are gone, providing everything from transportation to home repair.
"We usually just go to meetings, but now that these guys are leaving we will do anything we can to help," said Harvey Gile, a member of the Mount Moriah American Legion Post No. 460.
The father of 21-year-old Pvt. Harold Leek Jr., a Walter French Academy graduate, said he felt a mix of emotions Sunday.
"We know they may be going in harm's way, but we are proud of them," said Harold Leek Sr., of Lansing.
A young girl wearing an American flag sweater hung onto her dad's legs. A boy wore his father's camouflage hat, covering most of his face.
Pvt. Jesus Arroyo of Lansing said leaving his 13-month-old son, Adrian, will be the toughest part.
He just started walking.
"It is going to be hard," the 21-year-old said.
Sgt. Jeremy Swift's 9-year-old daughter, Brooke, has been asking for several months whether he would have to leave.
Brooke cried after he told her the orders had come. She left a note for him in the bag he packed last week, saying she is proud but sad he is leaving.
"I just told her there are a lot of things that Marines do ... and we will be back as soon as we can," the 26-year-old from Charlotte said. "It is an emotional time. We could be gone for a year or more."
Despite having to leave his family, Swift said he supports President Bush's stance on Iraq.
"I just think it's the right thing to do," Swift said.
But others, like Arroyo's older brother Hector Arroyo Jr., said Bush hasn't exhausted all other options to prevent war. He said he is disappointed to see his brother leave because of the conflict.
"As a family we support him," Hector Arroyo Jr. said. "But we would rather see him going on a peacekeeping mission."
Contact Christine MacDonald at 377-1286 or cmacdona@lsj.com.
Email this story to a friend | Print story