JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- In his famous commentaries on Americana, Alexis de Tocqueville noted Americans from all walks of life were forever forming associations. Our ancestors strongly believed in pooling resources to cope with conditions confronting them.
In the Air Force, Airmen's councils continue that proud tradition.
The newly-formed First 4 Airmen's Council represents young enlisted members from the ranks of Basic Airman through Senior Airman assigned to the 87th Communications Squadron at McGuire. They are not wasting any time in making their organization relevant to the Air Force's mission, either. The airmen began sending care packages to buddies deployed overseas months ago just after their council was founded.
Today, they're still going strong and their efforts have not gone unnoticed.
"I just received the care package and let me tell you, it caught me off guard," wrote Senior Airman Jose Hernandez assigned to the 451st Air E x p e d i t i o n a r y Wing/Expeditionary Combat Support at Kandahar Air Field Afghanistan last October.
"I very much appreciated it," continued Airman Hernandez. "I also got a birthday card which was very nice."
"Three or four airmen started the council," said Master Sgt. Joanne Reed, who's also first sergeant for the 87th CS. "They wanted to do something constructive with their time," Sergeant Reed added.
Under the watchful eye of Tech. Sgt. Covanis Benjamin, Airmen 1st Class Mark Babjak, Courtney Reid, Melissa Brown, Ana Acevedo, Caleb Toney and Christina Counts joined with Airman Aaron Beydoun to put together packages that included popcorn, hand warmers, hot chocolate, gum, beef jerky, sunflower seeds and other goodies for shipment overseas to deployed members from every section of the 87th CS.
The total cost for a care packages is approximately $10. Half of the cost goes toward
treats and other half to shipping fees. But it's worth it because "every deployed member gets something from home," according to Sergeant Reed, 87th CS, first sergeant.
Why did they do it?
Airman Acevedo recalled, "In the beginning, we had meetings with lots of complaints. We weren't organized and didn't know what to do.
But we really wanted to help our people who were deployed." The idea of sending them care packages gradually evolved.
"I think it's important foreveryone to realize there's always somebody back home who really cares and our council brings people together to help other people," added Airman Reid.