sought for Marlboro
military personnel overseas
Support sought for soldiers
serving far away from home
Quality-of-life items
sought for Marlboro
military personnel overseas
By jeanette m. eng
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — The images and the footage of war that flicker across our television screens every day are, to many, the only evidence of conflict. Americans at home have the luxury of being able to continue on with their lives as they’ve always known them.
There are, however, some Marlboro residents who have answered their country’s call to duty.
To help them feel a bit at home many thousands of miles away, township resident Andrea Mesh has organized a collection program in order to send quality-of-life items to these Marlboro soldiers overseas.
"Someone in Marlboro whose son is in the Marines had to send him sand goggles because they were not provided," Mesh said, relaying the story that launched her effort.
The Marine, Chris Schirripa, 19, left on Feb. 29 to join the Sixth Motor Transport Battalion in Kuwait.
The one-year Marine was recently promoted from Private First Class to Lance Corporal. He received the honor in the desert.
The proud Marine frequently sends postcards and letters, always in good spirits and humor, said his mother, Roe Schirripa.
Despite consistent correspondence, however, Schirripa has found it hard to sleep ever since her son left.
"I want him to know that I’m watching this and that I know what’s going on. And I feel closer to him," she said, explaining why she continues to watch the footage of the war in Iraq.
Schirripa is only one of several Marlboro soldiers Mesh has been informed about.
There are, undoubtedly, more. According to Mesh, the soldiers are in need of items such as wet wipes and hand sanitizers.
Other items on the list include paperback books, DVDs and sunscreen. International phone cards are another hot commodity among the soldiers who are stationed far away from their loved ones.
Mesh contacted the mayor’s office and eventually the Marlboro Improvement and Cultural Fund which, she said, was "absolutely thrilled to help the Marlboro residents serving in Kuwait" and offered to fund the shipping costs.
In the short time since Mesh has begun the project, she has already received generous donations from residents and businesses, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste from a local dentist.
Along with some items, one woman sent a card on which she wrote, "To a Marlboro hero, many thanks," Mesh said, illustrating the moving response of residents.
"She really deserves all the credit," Schirripa said of Mesh’s effort. "Andrea started this whole thing. She’s done all the legwork and has done everything from visiting doctors’ offices, dentists, police departments, [and] supermarkets for donations."
Donations are welcome at the Marlboro Police Department, Township Drive; the Marlboro First Aid Squad, Wyncrest Road, (9 a.m. to noon); Smith Brothers in the Marlboro Plaza (Route 9 and Route 520); and the Club Mud craft studio in Willow Pointe Shopping Center, Route 9 north.
Once an adequate number of items is collected, Mesh will ship them to each of the Marlboro soldiers.
Mesh said she will continue to ship goods for as long as she receives donations.
"My father was in World War II and I know the sacrifices he had to make. Being in the army during wartime is not a pleasant thing. We in America are going about our regular lives. We owe them this little bit for giving their lives so that we can have this freedom. Everyone can do something to help," she said.
Mesh said she does not believe this project is a matter of being in favor of or in opposition to the war.
"The soldiers are there and their lives are in jeopardy," she said.
Thus far, Mesh knows of five Marlboro men who are serving overseas.
She is still collecting the names and addresses of any soldiers who are not yet on her list.
Anyone who knows of a Marlboro resident who is serving overseas may contact the Office of Public Information at (732) 536-0200 with the name and address of the soldier so that donations can be sent to him. There are no deadlines for this project.