By Ashley DeBerry
Chief Petty Officer Luis Amaya, a U.S. Navy Corpsman, stood on the shores of Koror, Palau, watching the waves hit the boat that would soon carry valuable cargo to Peleliu.
Traveling from Koror to Peleliu involves a scenic ferry ride of about 50 kilometers, typically taking around two hours. Far from the comforts of home, where the variety of food and easy access to ingredients are missed, the island often feels quite remote. Receiving mail from the U.S is rare, often taking two weeks if lucky. But that day was different as they received a special delivery from the USO.
“The journey to Peleliu depended on good sea conditions, but the anticipation of what lay inside those boxes made the trip seem shorter,” Luis said.
The boxes, filled with USO Holiday Care Packages, holiday-themed activity kits and more, were a sight to behold. Luis recalled that he felt a surge of excitement as the boat arrived and as the Marines and sailors watched the boxes be unloaded.
“The surprise on their faces was priceless,” Luis recalled.
After months on the remote Pacific island of Peleliu, these U.S. service members were especially excited to receive a large shipment of USO boxes filled with USO Holidays activities and goodies.
Luis is a member of the Marine Corps Engineer Detachment - Palau, which is part of the 7th Engineer Support Battalion of the 1st Marine Logistics Group within the I Marine Expeditionary Force. The detachment, which is rehabilitating the WWII-era Japanese airfield on Peleliu as part of an enhancement in U.S. military strategic capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, has been on the island for quite some time, and the arrival of these packages from the USO provided a much-needed morale booster, especially as the people serving here had to be here through the holidays. The snacks, many of which are unavailable on the island, were a particular hit.
“Cheez-Its and Chips Ahoy brought back memories of home,” Luis noted. “The variety was a welcome change from our usual fare.”
Luis coordinated with 1st Medical Battalion leadership and the USO to bring their service members a little holiday cheer, creating a sense of pride as he watched his comrades’ reactions to the delivery.
“The Marines and sailors couldn’t believe such a thing was possible until it happened,” he said. “They were used to receiving care packages from family members, but this gesture from the USO opened their eyes to the organization’s dedication to supporting the service members.”
It can be difficult to get into the holiday spirit when you are far from loved ones and living on a tropical island. Activities such as gingerbread house kits, courtesy of the USO, boosted the spirits of the people serving on Peleliu.
The impact on morale was immediate and profound.
“The cornhole kit became an instant favorite, providing hours of entertainment and friendly competition,” Luis shared.
The gingerbread kits, ornaments, paint sets and ugly sweater diamond painting kits added a festive touch to their holiday celebrations. Most importantly, the games and shared meals created a sense of camaraderie and family, providing the service members with a home away from home as they served overseas during the holiday season.
“The Marines and sailors couldn’t believe such a thing was possible until it happened,” said Chief Petty Officer Luis Amaya, a U.S. Navy Corpsman. “They were used to receiving care packages from family members, but this gesture from the USO opened their eyes to the organization’s dedication to supporting the service members.” | Photo credit USO Photo
For Luis and his unit, “the support from the USO and people back home meant the world.” It reminded the men and women of the detachment that they were not forgotten, and that people still care. By utilizing Wi-Fi, they were able to connect with their families back home and share the joy of the holiday season despite the distance.
“It was no small feat, and the work was 100% appreciated,” Luis said. “Every snack and game reinforced the positive image of the USO, making it feel like Christmas morning for the recipients.”
In the end, this holiday delivery was more than just a box of goodies. It was a symbol of support, a boost to service members’ spirits and a reminder of the kindness and generosity of those back home.
As we wrap up this winter holiday season and look to the new year, it is important to note that it is thanks to the support of the American people that the USO can continue to deliver joy and comfort to service members and their families during the holidays – and the rest of the year – no matter where they are in the world.
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Every day, America’s service members selflessly put their lives on the line to keep us safe and free. Please take a moment to let our troops know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.
