In honor of Patriot’s Day ? the national holiday commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil ? volunteers of all ages spent four hours at the Oxford Meijer putting together care packages for U.S. troops serving all over the world.
Joining those volunteers was U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Joel Pollock (shown right), all the way from Dallas, Texas.
Pollock was in the area visiting family with his wife, Ashley, and their 4-month-old son, Zachary.
He decided to stop in and visit Louise ‘The Desert Angel? Downs, who organizes these packing events, and say thank you to all the volunteers.
During the seven months he was stationed in Iraq this year with Marine Aircraft Group 14, Pollock received care packages from this area containing badly-needed cough drops and much-appreciated coffee from Starbucks.
Pollock said the packages were always a ‘very nice surprise? and their contents ‘lightened? his mood whenever he had a ‘bad day? or was bored from doing guard duty.
? Editor C.J. Carnacchio