Few things leave a family feeling more unsettled than watching a loved one ship out to war. Recently, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines based in Perrysburg received word that they may be redeployed early in 2005 to help fight the war in Iraq. Members of Weapons Company, 1/24 has already served one deployment in 2003. 

The possibility of leaving their families again has everyone feeling anxious, but knowing that area businesses and individuals will lend a helping hand eases the burden. "The best way area businesses can support our Marines is to support the Marines' families," says Gunnery Sergeant Steven Kosinski, Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (SNCOIC) of the Peacetime Wartime Support Team (PWST) for Weapons Company. 

During the last deployment, when over 100 Marine Reservists were sent overseas, their families received help with everything from diapers to home repairs. Gunnery Sergeant Kosinski hopes the help will continue during future deployments. "Our families have both physical and emotional needs," says Kosinski. "We had one family who had major electrical problems during the last deployment and an electrician offered to rewire their home." 

Because the Marine Reservists must leave their full-time jobs when they are called to active duty, money is often an issue with families. Even buying diapers for a newborn baby can be a financial burden. According to Julie Szyskowski, Key Volunteer Coordinator (KVC) for Weapons Company, it's everyday household challenges that often present major problems to the families. 

"During the last deployment, a handyman came to the Reserve Center and left his name and several of our wives called him," she says. "He fixed a dishwasher for one wife and then saw that she had a broken garage window and came back later and fixed that too. The only thing she paid for were the parts for the dishwasher." 

The ability of the Marines and their families to maintain regular communication is also a major issue. Perrysburg Mayor Jody Holbrook, a former U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran, says communication is one element people often forget about. "It's lonely being a Marine," says Mayor Holbrook. "Whether you're in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina or in Iraq, you're lonely." And if you're a wife, a mother, a sister or brother of a Marine, you're lonely too.” 

Peacetime Wartime Support Teams are directed to have a newsletter to share information with the Marines and their families. So when BGI, an advertising and graphic design firm in Perrysburg, volunteered its design and printing services for the newsletter, PWST gladly accepted their offer. 

"BGI helps us to get news to the Marines and their families on a timely basis," says Kosinski. Weapons Company recently honored BGI's effort with an award that read, in part, "Your support and patriotism without a doubt helped lead to the success of the mission and contributed greatly to the morale and welfare of our nation's finest young men and women." 

"A lot of major human events happen when the Marines are deployed," says Donna Beluska, owner of BGI. "We try to share any type of family news in the newsletter to help keep the families connected. During the last deployment, every time a baby was born, we put the baby's picture on the front page of the newsletter." 

Gunnery Sergeant Kosinski said BGI's efforts are a perfect example of how businesses can help by offering what they do best. "We'd like to build a strong database of area companies that can donate their services or products when we need them," he says. "Businesses can also help through monetary donations which can help with everything from shipping care packages to buying AT&T phone cards for the Marines." 

Mayor Holbrook also encourages local organizations, such as the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Kiwanis, to invite Marines to be their guest speakers to help everyone understand more about the challenges of military life. 

Supporting Our Troops 

Here are some of the ways you or your business can support our troops by helping their families here at home. If you or your business would like more information on how to help, call the Navy Marine Corps Reserve Center at 419-666-6992 ext 201. 
AT&T calling cards 
Auto repair service 
Baby formula 
Counseling/Legal services 
Diapers 
Electrical repair 
Gasoline coupons or vouchers 
General home repairs 
Grocery gift certificates 
Gutter cleaning 
Lawn service 
Monetary donations 
Shipping boxes (for care packages)

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