Fort Irwin United States Army Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Esmurria (right) and Spc. Joaquin Martinez, military police officer, help with the delivery of care packages from Operation Gratitude, Aug. 8.
Operation Gratitude delivered 100 care packages to Soldiers of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, Aug. 8.
The 100 boxes were part of the 1.1 million that Operation Gratitude has provided to servicemembers since March 2003, said Carolyn Blashek, founder and CEO of the non-profit organization based in Van Nuys, Calif. The care packages include clothing, snacks, toiletries, entertainment items and a survival bracelet made with eight feet of paracord.
The delivery was received by leadership and Soldiers. Fort Irwin United States Army Garrison Commander Col. Jon Braga, and Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Esmurria helped with moving the packages indoors. Esmurria said the donation is an excellent example of community relations, and the pride and patriotism the public has for American Soldiers and the community of Fort Irwin.
Blashek said her organization began in 2003 by sending care packages to deployed servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operation Gratitude is expanding by providing packages to troops in training and to new recruits at the services’ basic training installations.
Several staff of Operation Gratitude participated in the delivery. Blashek expressed through an email her appreciation of the opportunity to visit here.
“Each and every one of you inspires us to be better people and to serve a higher cause. We are honored to have spent the day with all of you,” Blashek said.