Bringing A Bit Of Home To Marines On Christmas
(January 1, 2011) |
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KAJAKI,
Afghanistan-Marines with Bravo Battery, 1st
Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division (Forward), wait in line to check out at
the mobile post exchange operated by Marine
Corps Community Services near the Kajaki Dam,
Dec. 25, 2010. MCCS and Disbursing Marines with
1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) arrived in
Kajaki on Christmas day to provide goods such as
snacks and other comfort items to the Marines in
the area. |
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KAJAKI DAM, Afghanistan (MCN -12/25/2010) — Being located
in one of the most remote forward operating bases in Helmand
province, Afghanistan, the Marines operating in Kajaki have
an even greater appreciation for small luxuries, like the
ability to purchase snacks and other comfort items from the
local convenience store or post exchange. But you won't find
any convenience stores around here.
That's why two Marines with 1st Marine Logistics Group
(Forward), made a special trip to the Kajaki Dam to bring
the Marines a bit of home on Christmas, Dec. 25.
Sgt. Alan L. Lewis, a Marine Corps community services
specialist, Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Marine
Logistics Group (Forward), and Cpl. Alex P. Jones,
Disbursing clerk, H&S Co., 1st MLG (FWD), brought a few
small comforts of home in the form of a “mobile PX,” a
makeshift post exchange stocked with snacks, drinks,
magazines and other items they wouldn't normally find on the
small FOB.
The Marines are happy knowing they helped boost their fellow
Marines' morale on Christmas.
"We brought to the Marines in Kajaki just a little bit of
home," said Lewis, 24, from Pittsburgh. "Basically, things
you would find in the [Army and Air Force Exchange Service]
on Camp Leatherneck."
The Marines with 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 1st
Marine Division (Forward), who are used to operating in
Kajaki's austere conditions, enjoyed the arrival of
the mobile exchange on |
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Christmas day. |
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"It's better than nothing," said Cpl. Sean R. Kennedy, a
radio operator with Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th
Marines, 1st MarDiv (FWD)."If you put in your request you
get what you want; anything that they bring is better than
if they didn't bring anything."
The trip was a success for many reasons, said Lewis.
"Sales for the trip here went very well," said Lewis, "but
more importantly we were able to service over 218 Marines in
under 24 hours."
For the two 1st MLG (FWD) Marines, the most important part
of the mission was bringing the comforts of home to Marines
who otherwise wouldn't have had access to the small luxuries
their mobile PX provided.
"I feel great about being able to do this," said Lewis.
“It's nice to bring a little bit of home to anyone, no
matter where they are. Everyone's always appreciative that
we're here." |
Article and photo by USMC LCpl. Kenneth Jasik
1st Marine Logistics Group (FWD)
Copyright 2010 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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