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Marine Helps Military Wife Visit Family
Marine Link ^
| Jan. 23, 2004
| Sgt. Mark P. Ledesma
Posted on 01/23/2004 11:16:56 AM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl
Former Marine Helps Military Wife Visit Family
Submitted by: 13th MEU
Story Identification Number: 2004121224212
Story by Sgt. Mark P. Ledesma
ABOARD USS PELELIU(January 20, 2004) -- The biggest sacrifices made in the current war against terror are not only made by the men and women currently serving in operations around the world, but also by the families they leave behind. Back home, sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters are affected.
A former Marine who served during the Vietnam War recognized those sacrifices and recently lent a helping hand to a spouse whose husband is currently deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).
During the Christmas Holidays, Stephen G. Smith purchased a round-trip plane ticket for Julie Jones, wife of Sgt. Jacob Jones of Battalion Landing Team 1/1, so she can spend the holidays home with her family while her husband was away.
Being a Marine in the 60s, I remember leaving my wife five months pregnant for Vietnam, said Smith. It was a terrible feeling to see the look on her face.
Smith does things for people everyday of his life, some little and some big, he said.
I do this to carry on what my dad instilled in me, Smith said, to help other people and also out of respect for my father-in-law, who gave 34 years of his life to the country I love by serving in the Marine Corps.
He was put in touch with Jones through the 13th MEUs Key Volunteer Network, an organization designed for Marine spouses, which aids them while their spouse is away on deployment.
I received an email from my KVC informing me of a gentleman looking for a Marine wife fitting (certain) qualifications to send home for Christmas, said Jones, a Key volunteer for Company A, BLT 1/1.
According to Jones, none of the wives in Company A met the qualifications because most of them had either moved back home for the duration of the deployment, had children, or had family to visit in California. Without looking to see if she herself met the criteria, Jones sent a message back to the KVC saying no one in her company qualified.
A few weeks went by and several people asked me if I (was) going home for Christmas, Jones said. I told them I was not planning on it due to the prices of flying home to South Carolina. I was just planning on volunteering at a soup kitchen on Christmas or playing my soprano saxophone at a nursing home.
To her surprise, she later received a phone call saying a gentleman was going to contact her and that she shouldnt second-guess his generosity.
I was really excited when I received the phone call, she said. I was very blessed and touched that someone would do something so special for someone they do not know.
According to Jones, she had an opportunity to speak with Smith over the phone on several occasions.
He is an amazing guy, she said. Once a Marine, always a Marine.
Smiths generosity extended beyond the plane ticket, Jones said.
A few days before I was about to leave, he called me saying he and his wife was sending me $100 to pay for my transportation to and from the airport, she said.
Jones arrived in South Carolina on Dec. 24. She was able to spend time with friends and family until Jan. 4.
I spent Christmas Eve with my husbands family, driving around looking at Christmas lights and opening gifts, said Jones. It was truly a blessing. It helped being around family while my husband was away. I think the hardest part was having our one-year anniversary and not having him (here).
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: 13thmeu; gnfi; goodguys; marines; militaryfamilies; supportourtroops; usspeleliu; veterans
To: MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; Alamo-Girl; windchime; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; ...
The biggest sacrifices made in the current war against terror are not only made by the men and women currently serving in operations around the world, but also by the families they leave behind....
A former Marine who served during the Vietnam War recognized those sacrifices and recently lent a helping hand to a spouse whose husband is currently deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)...
"Once a Marine, always a Marine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ping!
2
posted on
01/23/2004 11:17:47 AM PST
by
Ragtime Cowgirl
("The chapter of Iraq's history - Saddam Hussein's reign of terror - is now closed." Lt. Gen. Sanchez)
To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Former Marine?
3
posted on
01/23/2004 11:18:13 AM PST
by
AppyPappy
(If You're Not A Part Of The Solution, There's Good Money To Be Made In Prolonging The Problem.)
4
posted on
01/23/2004 11:19:21 AM PST
by
Ragtime Cowgirl
("The chapter of Iraq's history - Saddam Hussein's reign of terror - is now closed." Lt. Gen. Sanchez)
To: AppyPappy
(Giver and recipient both know:)"Once a Marine, always a Marine.
5
posted on
01/23/2004 11:21:53 AM PST
by
Ragtime Cowgirl
("The chapter of Iraq's history - Saddam Hussein's reign of terror - is now closed." Lt. Gen. Sanchez)
To: AppyPappy; Admin Moderator
Actually, the journalist left off the title.
This title came from a Defend America link.
Will ping the Admin Mods to drop "Former" from the title.
Ping! Thanks, AM. (^:
6
posted on
01/23/2004 11:26:02 AM PST
by
Ragtime Cowgirl
("The chapter of Iraq's history - Saddam Hussein's reign of terror - is now closed." Lt. Gen. Sanchez)
To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Bump!
To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Thanks for the post. A great story. Marine: "No better friend, no worse enemy!" Semper Fi!
8
posted on
01/23/2004 11:31:17 AM PST
by
kellynla
("C" 1/5 1st Mar. Div. U.S.M.C. Viet Nam 69&70 Semper Fi!)
To: Ragtime Cowgirl
US Marines ~ Bump!
9
posted on
01/23/2004 12:42:17 PM PST
by
blackie
To: Ragtime Cowgirl
What a sweet thing for Mr. Smith to do!
My guess is Sgt. Jones had some peace of mind knowing his wife was with family during the holidays, thanks to the generosity of this gentleman.
10
posted on
01/23/2004 6:47:39 PM PST
by
radu
(May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
To: kellynla
You're very welcome.
Marine: "No better friend, no worse enemy!" Semper Fi!
Great motto.
* Thank you * for your service, kellynla.
11
posted on
01/23/2004 7:16:34 PM PST
by
Ragtime Cowgirl
("The chapter of Iraq's history - Saddam Hussein's reign of terror - is now closed." Lt. Gen. Sanchez)
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