Local youth donates 3,000 comic books to servicemembers

In a heartwarming display of generosity, 10-year-old Carl Scheckel donated his collection of comic books to servicemembers at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst during April, 2017.

Carl donated 3,000 comic books to the Joint Base with hopes that they will be delivered to men and women serving our country in the far-reaches of the world.

Carl and his father attended comic book conventions and collected donations for servicemembers, said a witness in attendance at the donation. Carl decided this is something he wanted to do; he said, ‘I want others to enjoy comic books, like I do.’ Many of the donated comics are from his personal collection.

Taking advantage of the Joint Base’s mission capable C-17 Globemaster III and KC-10 Extender, the Military and Family Support Center is helping make Carl’s dream of brightening the day of a deployed servicemember a reality.

“Our Military and Family Support Center has access to unique assets because we are a Joint Base,” said Master Sgt. Dominick Griego, MFSC NCO in charge. “Our KC-10’s and C-17’s fly overseas all of the time, and it’s a great way to ship these comic books.”

Griego is working to ensure the comic books are shipped this week to deployed locations around the world. The comic books will be shipped with a flyer encouraging the recipients to send a picture back to Carl, as a way to say thank you to the 10-year-old.

 “It’s important to me because I want to finish my career helping Soldier, Sailors, Airmen and Marines,” said Griego. “These comic books are a piece of home for our warfighters downrange, it’s an amazing thing that Carl has done.”

As the donation garnered more and more attention, Carl and his father were given a unique look into the functions of the Joint Base during a tour.  

“We gave Carl an opportunity to tour the base as a distinguished visitor,” said Griego. “All of the servicemembers were genuinely interested to see this 10-year-old on the flightline -- it was awesome to see legitimate smiles as he met with Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen around the base.”

Carl has amassed an additional 11,000 comic books donated at conventions which he expressed he would like to continue donating to servicemembers overseas.