MARINE CORPS MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER BRIDGERPORT, Calif. -- Volunteers from the Nevada Military Support Alliance provided a warm welcome to thousands of Marines and sailors at the Reno International Airport, July 17.
Every year thousands of Marines and sailors travel to Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Hawthorne Army Weapons Depot in Hawthorne, Nev., and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, in Yuma, Ariz. to support Operation Javelin Thrust, the largest training exercise in the Marine Corps Reserve.
As the Marines and sailors arrived in Reno to await further travel to their training areas, the NMSA made sure they waited in style. The NMSA and the local community donated their time and effort to provide incoming service members with popcorn, bottled water, soda, cable TV, internet access, snacks, DVDs, a small library, board games and video games.
“Everything was donated by the community so the food, books and bottles of water come at no cost to the Marine Corps,” said Master Sgt. Clinton Williams, the movement coordinator for the exercise. “Last year all we had was boxes of Meals Ready to Eat and bottles of water for the Marines and sailors but now when the Marines walk in they are impressed with everything available,” Williams said.
It was for the men and women in uniform that the NMSA volunteers and local community continue to donate their time and energy. “It is very gratifying,” said Penny Estrada, a volunteer with the NMSA. “The Marines are grateful for the support here. They are all pleasant to the volunteers and shocked at all we have available.”
A local business also chipped in to help the Marines. Charlie Carter, the owner of a an auto body shop brought out a static display of “hotrods” and allowed the Marines to take pictures in the vehicles.
“They are out there making the ultimate sacrifice and if the only way I can support them is letting them sit in my car then it is more than worth it,” Carter said.