III MEF Marines, sailors deliver tons of toys to Philippines

Manila, Philippines (Dec. 28, 2005) -- Fifteen Marines and sailors delivered 18,000 pounds of Christmas gifts and clothing Dec. 28 to representatives of 14 nonprofit organizations in Bacolod and Manila, Philippines.

These service members didn’t complete this feat alone, explained Navy Commander Manuel A. Biadog, the III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group Chaplain. More than 3,000 service members and family members donated to this cause. They gave to organizations like Toys for Tots and the III MHG Giving Tree Program.

“The Chaplains on Okinawa, found out there was a need for this and put it all together,” said Col. Mark M. Kauzlarich, the commanding officer for III MHG and the Camp Hansen Commander. The service members arrived in Bacolod at approximately 12 p.m. aboard a KC-130 “Hercules” piloted by a crew from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Air Group 36, 1st Marine Air Wing. After the service members unloaded more than half the goods from the plane, they enjoyed a Christmas play performed by the residents of the Calvary Chapel Bacolod Orphanage.

“(United States service members) came from Okinawa to bless us with these gifts,” said CC Bacolod Pastor Joe Rosmarino, the founder of the orphanage and retired Marine gunnery sergeant. “We want to bless (the service members) with a (Christmas) program we put together and give them some gifts.”

Once the service members and Filipinos made their fair-wells, the service members flew to Manila to drop off the remaining goods.

After a brief stay in Manila, the group returned home with a feeling of pride and accomplishment, explained Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Anderson, a religious program specialist with III MHG.

“I left knowing people less fortunate than myself were able to receive more than they imagined,” Anderson said as it brought a smile to his face.

051228-M-1837P-003.jpg Bacolod, Philippines — Children from Calvary Chapel Bacolod Orphanage perform a Christmas play for Marines and sailors from Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 28 in Bacolod, Philippines. Calvary Chapel Bacolod Orphanage was among 14 nonprofit organizations in Bacolod and Manila, Philippines, who received more than nine tons of gifts from service members and their families in Okinawa, Japan, for people in need during the holidays. The gifts were delivered by 15 service members from Okinawa aboard a KC-130 “Hercules” aircraft, piloted by a crew from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Air Group 36, 1st Marine Air Wing. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Warren Peace) (Released) Photo by: Lance Cpl. Warren Peace

051228-M-1837P-001.jpg Bacolod, Philippines — Maj. Kelly Caillouet (center) meets with the founders of the Calvary Chapel Bacolod Orphanage, Pastor Joe Rosmarino and his wife Nanay after delivering more than four tons of Christmas presents to their home in Bacolod, Philippines Dec. 28. Rosmarino was among representatives of 14 nonprofit organizations in Bacolod and Manila, Philippines, who received more than nine tons of gifts from service members and their families in Okinawa, Japan, for people in need during the holidays. The gifts were delivered by 15 service members from Okinawa aboard a KC-130 “Hercules” aircraft, piloted by a crew from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Air Group 36, 1st Marine Air Wing. Caillouet is a safety officer for VMGR-152, MAG-36, 1st MAW. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Warren Peace) (Released) Photo by: Lance Cpl. Warren Peace

051228-M-1837P-004.jpg Bacolod, Philippines — Residents of the Calvary Chapel Bacolod Orphanage watch as Marines and sailors from Okinawa, Japan, and Filipino volunteers unload more than four tons of Christmas presents Dec. 28 in Bacolod, Philippines. Calvary Chapel Bacolod Orphanage was among 14 nonprofit organizations in Bacolod and Manila, Philippines, who received more than nine tons of gifts from service members and their families in Okinawa, Japan, for people in need during the holidays. The gifts were delivered by 15 service members from Okinawa aboard a KC-130 “Hercules” aircraft, piloted by a crew from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Air Group 36, 1st Marine Air Wing. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Warren Peace) (Released) Photo by: Lance Cpl. Warren Peace

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