Operation Christmas Stockings Comes to 22nd MEU

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Josue L. Escobosa, USS Mesa Verde Public Affairs

USS MESA VERDE, At sea (NNS) -- Santa came early this year with more than 660 Christmas stockings delivered to the Sailors and Marines of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) currently embarked aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) Dec. 10.

The MEU Family Readiness Group (FRG) coordinated with families to ensure all Sailors and Marines assigned to the MEU would have a stocking to look forward to on Christmas morning.

"With this being a long deployment and them being gone over the holidays we organized these events to make the holidays feel a little more like home," said Darlene Kern, Combat Logistics Battalion 22 (CLB 22) family readiness officer. "We wanted to show them that even though they are separated by miles from family during the holidays they were being thought of, supported and are loved."

The stockings included a variety of items, such as cookies, toiletries, toys and candy. The stockings came from families, friends and members of the community who wanted to add a little bit of Christmas cheer to those who are unable to be home for Christmas.

"No matter how strong they seem, I am sure it is just as hard on them not being home for the holidays and it is for us at home," said Judi Long, coordinator for the Battalion Landing Team 2\2 and a mother of one of the Marines. "I hope these stuffed stockings bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to all of our loved ones and that this small gesture will help remind them that we do appreciate what they do."

CLB 22's Command Chaplain, Lt. Diego Londono, from Cali, Colombia received and managed the stocking count and distribution process aboard Mesa Verde. Once the packages arrived, it was kept a secret from the Sailors and Marines to give the service members a holiday surprise.

"There was word of us getting something from our families back home, but we weren't expecting anything like this, definitely not full stockings and for everyone, privates all the way up to lieutenant colonel," said Cpl. Craig Turner, from Detroit. "This is my third time missing Christmas in as many years. Last year I was in Japan and it was sort of treated like a regular day. I've never seen anything like this. It definitely gave us a boost."

"We weren't expecting this at all," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (FMF/SW) Deshon Greene, from Chesapeake, Va. "I really appreciate it and I know all of us do. I would like to thank the FRG and all of the volunteers personally."

Although the Sailors and Marines cannot be home for the holidays this year, most are using the stockings as a boost to make the holidays special within their platoons.

"The FRG had already sent us holiday movies so we planned to watch movies Christmas day and now with the stockings we'll have enough hot chocolate to get us through the day and just enjoy the day together," said Turner.

The ship's religious programs department, responsible for the assembly and distribution process, expressed their joy at being able to help spread holiday cheer.

"Anytime I can do something to help my Marines is a blessing, so helping the chaplain put together stockings and distribute was a real pleasure," said Religious Programs Specialist 3rd Class Michael Sency, from Indianapolis.

"I really can't take any of the credit for this; it was all the volunteers back home," said Londono. "Their efforts have been amazing, they made sure everyone would get a stocking and they even sent a few extras just in case. It keeps us all connected. Sometimes people can feel disconnected when they've been away for so long, but the families back home have made an amazing effort to keep us motivated and connected back home."

The Mesa Verde is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group currently supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.