News

New Gloucester woman moved to donate
Soldiers in Iraq on her mind
By Elizabeth Prata

Remember how excited you were when you were away from home for the first time, in college perhaps, and you got a care package from home? Mom may have filled it with cookies, letters or treats? Left, Linda Walker of New Gloucester, with Deb. Both women helped gather items to send to Iraq through the Key Volunteer program.

Now imagine the excitement our local servicemen and women feel serving in the war in Iraq when they get a care package from home. With 142-degree summer sun burning their bones and sand burning their eyes, these soldiers appreciate the care packages that come their way, thanks to Key Volunteers.

The Key Volunteer Network is an integral part of a Marine Corps unit family readiness program and is the primary communication link between the commanding officer and the unit families for the enhancement of mission readiness. Key Volunteers are the spouse of a Marine in the unit and have completed training. The network serves as a communication link between the unit and its families and is a reliable source of information and referral.

The 1st Battalion 25th Marines is located on the Devens Reserve Forces Training Area. Company A is located at Topsham, Maine; Company B is located at Londonderry, New Hampshire; and Company C is located at Plainville, Connecticut. Wells mom and Key Volunteer Lauren Masellus's son is serving in Company B, and with the help of two New Gloucester women, they put together some highly coveted items to send over.
Masellus and New Gloucester's Linda Walker of Open Gates Equine Rescue met through the local horse network.

"Lauren is a fellow horseperson who came to our last fundraiser this past March and she supported us quite well," Walker said. "At the time Lauren was at our fundraiser, I did not know she had a son in Iraq. I learned that because she posted something about it in a local horse forum. Because I have never known anyone personally to be in a war during my lifetime, I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that our country did not provide the basic necessities for our soldiers in Iraq." Left, Lauren Masellus, Key Volunteer for Southern Maine, Company B, at the Wells Horse Clinic Saturday.

Some supplies are in short supply, or they are so distant from the camp that going to get them presents difficulties.

"They want toiletry items," said 1st Sergeant Wilson, of Company A in Topsham. Baby Wipes are coveted because the soldiers can wipe the sand from their face without water. "And clean, white socks, they really want those, because they are on their feet all day," Sgt. Wilson said.
Mesellus and Debbie spread the word and gathered what they could in advance of the Wells Horse Clinic.

"It really started to bother me and so I contacted Masellus to see what I or Open Gates could do to help. She gave me a list of items that the soldiers needed, and she is so grateful that we wanted to help," Walker said.

Walker was so moved to help, that after getting permission from the law office where she works, Ainsworth, Thelin, Chamberlain & Raftice, PA to solicit these items, some folks there donated some items and some gave us money to shop for some items."

Masellus said that her son has been deployed since January and that just this week the first marine in his unit was killed. "Justin was in the sniper tower, and he saw the patrol on its way back and from out of nowhere a truck shot out. It was a suicide mission, and he took out a Humvee. She said that Justin saw the Marine fall from the turret and fellow solders retrieve him. The marine was flown to Germany but he didn't make it.

"At first it made me mad that we have to send them these things," Masellus said. "But then I decided to look at it this way - I run a heating and ventilating company and my guys pay a small stipend to rent their uniforms, and they pay part of their health care. So they do kick in."

"But they don't get shot in the line of duty," Walker said. "They run out of socks, toilet paper, do not get enough to eat or drink, they are calcium deficient, they are without sunscreen, lip balm, etc. I did not know that they have to purchase their own uniforms and that they make $8.25 an hour with no overtime."

The Key Volunteer program exists for spouses and family members to stay in touch, organize for care packages, and post on the forums and participate in the live chats.

Updates via the Key Volunteer phone tree helps ensure that spouses are up-to-date with the latest news of our Marines and Sailors. While the units are deployed, the Key Volunteer Network is the means by which families receive all official messages from the command. Rumors fly, sometimes the families hear that the Marines of 1/25 are leaving early, coming home late, going somewhere dangerous. For true scoop, family members can go to the Key Volunteer, because they will have the latest information direct from the unit and can help dispel any rumors.

Walker set up a table at the Wells Horse Clinic, and displayed what they had collected so far. "Lauren will transport to New Hampshire where they will be boxed up and shipped," she said.

Sidebar:
1st Battalion, 25th Marines--Headquarters and Service Co. (1/25 - HQ&S)
"New England's Own"
4th Marine Division ~ 25th Marine Regiment

The 1st Battalion 25th Marines is located on the Devens Reserve Forces Training Area. The Battalion is primarily a cold weather infantry unit, and trains in many locations around the Northeast. In addition, it trains in California, North Carolina and Northern Norway. 1st Battalion, 25th Marines is spread throughout the Northeast with Companies in New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts which is where it gets the name "New England's Own."

Today the Battalion is spread over the New England area with the Headquarters and Service Company along with Weapons Company located at Devens RFTA. Company A is located at Topsham, Maine; Company B is located at Londonderry, New Hampshire; and Company C is located at Plainville, Connecticut. The mission of 1/25 4th Marine Division is to provide trained combat and combat support personnel and units to augment and reinforce the active component in time of war, national emergency, and at other times as national security requires; and have the capability to reconstitute the Division, if required.

Key Volunteers:
The number one mission is to enhance family readiness for the deployment, and does so by creating programs, readiness packets, and social events designed to make the separation caused by deployment a little easier to bear.

It is also to provide a support system. As military families, soldiers' families are part of a unique community and in a profound way - a family unto ourselves. Any problem a family member may be facing has no doubt been met and overcome by another family member and the KVN provides the means for their experience and benefit.