'Operation Movie Drop Off' a soaring success
A 'Wounded Warrior' opens up his care package that includes a movie, letter of appreciation, candy and several other items from citizens that wanted to show their appreciation for their sacrifices. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Samuel D. White
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (Aug. 22, 2006) -- Soaring through the cloudy sky, an H-18 Beechcraft from Baltimore, Md., slowly descended toward the watching crowd. Cameras were rolling as everyone, including Col. Darrell L. Thacker, waited for the occupants to emerge.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/19B0393BD87A3A86852571D200560A73?opendocument
Aug. 22, 2006
By Pfc. Rebekka S. Kramp, MCAS New River
Operation Movie Drop off had passed the point of no return. Three men emerged: John Cutcher, the key to getting on New River, Paul C. Kelleher, the president of Beacon Management Group who started the operation, and Steven W. Oxman, the pilot.
The three have been working their way through red tape and disappointments in their quest to help Beacon Management Group, a small business out of Washington D.C., give Marines care packages.
A movie, candy, popcorn, calling card and a handwritten letter of appreciation are in every care package, said HM1 Alisa A. Cutcher, a Navy Corpsman with the Medical unit here and Mr. Cutcher’s daughter.
“What started out as a small project where all 20 employees of Beacon Management Group would make a care package expanded into 300 care packages and four sets of the 100 greatest movies of all times donated by the American Film Institute,” said Kelleher.
“The employees came up with the idea of having their children’s classes make care packages also,” said Kelleher.
Some packages handed out August 11 had long letters of appreciation, while others simply said, “Thank you” in a four-year-old’s handwriting.
“Sometimes it’s overwhelming how much people care,” said 1st Lt. Christopher B. Warner, the platoon commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force Wounded Warriors platoon.
The Wounded Warriors received 100 of the packages and one set of the 100 greatest movies.
“It is a good reflection on our society,” said Warner. “After Vietnam we didn’t have this care. People want to help out in any way they can.”
The Marines who received the packages appreciate knowing that society has not forgotten them.
“It’s nice for people to take time out of their day. Bringing it down personally shows they really care,” said Cpl. Nicholas D. Scalf, a Marine who was injured by shrapnel in his right thigh and arm.
The Single Marine Program on New River is the only reason we were able to bring the care packages to these Marines, said HM1 Cutcher. All the red tape that is involved in getting a civilian plan to land on base and then there was no guarantee who will receive the movies, until the SMP got involved, she added.
The remaining movies and packages will be sent to Marines overseas. One set of movies is going to Marine Light/ Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, one is going with a squadron that will soon deploy and the last will be sent to Afghanistan, she added.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” said Mr. Cutcher to the Marines in the Wounded Warriors barracks as he left them to watch their movies and continue to support Camp Lejuene.
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