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Toys for Tots Kenneth Riege
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Toys for Tots
By Kenneth Riege USAF Veteran 1985 – 1993
“HEAVY IS THE WEIGHT OF FREEDOM; BLESS ALL WHO HAVE CARRIED IT”
Once again we find ourselves approaching Christmas (funny how it happens every year) and while 2020 has had it’s challenges, I find myself feeling so blessed with a beautiful family and friends and living in the best community, in the best state and in the best country in the world.For the past 4 years now, the Comfort Suites in Gallup has assisted the United States Marine Corps Reserves and the Navajo-Hopi Honor Riders with the “Toys for Tots” program and this year will be no different. It is a great honor to be able to assist these great community programs and to help bring a smile to a child’s (and their family’s) face.
In years past we have had the honor of having Ms. Jill Lane and her beloved companion “Travelin’ Jack” join us in this campaign, but sadly “Travelin’ Jack” received his last “travelin” orders and was called home. I phrase it this way since “Travelin” Jack” was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Left is a picture of Corporal Travelin Jack in his uniform.
Here is a little history of the “Toys for Tots Program.
The Toys for Tots program began in 1947 as the brain child of Marine Corps Reserve Officer, Major Bill Hendricks. In all actuality, it was Major Hendricks wife Diane, who was the real inspiration behind the program. She was a very artistic person and had several handcrafted dolls that she had made and had asked her husband Bill to deliver them to an agency that supported children in need. Well when Major Hendricks reported back to his CO (CO stands for Command Officer, which in this case was his wife Diane) that he was unable to find such an organization, he received his next set of orders from Diane which was to “start one.” Major Hendricks and the Marines of his reserve unit in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys in 1947 and thus began the annual “Toys for Tots” program and the Marine Corps Reserves involvement. For more information on this program and how you can be more involved please visit:www.toysfortots.org
A few years ago, I was honored to meet my “brother from another mother” Mr. Bobby Martin who heads up the “Navajo Hopi Honor Riders.” This amazing program of dedicated patriots do so much for our communities, our veterans and families and our great country. The Comfort Suites in Gallup, NM is extremely honored to be teaming up with Brother Bobby and the Navajo Hopi Honor Riders to collect toys for our local children. So please when you can, stop by the Comfort Suites in Gallup at 3940 E. Hwy 66 and drop off a new, unwrapped toy in one of our drop boxes and while you are here, make sure to look at all of our amazing exhibits in the Comfort Suites Lobby Museum. We have added quite a
few new ones this year.
In closing I wanted to add a couple more pictures to honor Corporal “Travelin Jack” when he visited the Comfort Suites in Gallup to help with our “Toys for Tots” fundraising efforts.
I especially like the message on the back of the Journey stating to shop local. In these times we need to do that more than ever.
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“Medal of Honor Quote of the Month”
This month’s quote comes from US Army (Retired) Sgt. Major Kenneth Stumpf who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War. His quote is as follows:
“Veterans have provided you with great opportunities. Set goals, believe in yourself, and let God be your point man.”
