A GIFT THAT STARTED IN AFRICA

A GIFT THAT STARTED IN AFRICA

Way back when I started shipping care packages to our Marines overseas I often inquired if they would share with me addresses in other locations that I might support.  One of those locations was Djibouti, Africa and that was back in 2004.  One of those recipients, a first sergeant, wrote to thank me and that was the beginning of a wonderful friendship that has continued to this day, and I believe will continue forever.

1stSgt Courtney Curtis, who was with the 3/2 India Company, 4th MEB (Marine Expeditionary Brigade), CJTF (Command Joint Task Force) Djibouti at the time was my new contact in Africa.  He shared photos of himself and his Marines, camels, the terrain (hot dry desert) and the chow hall and helped to give me a sense of the base where they lived and worked.   It truly makes a difference when I can visualize who receives the boxes I ship and where they go!!!!

Not long after Courtney and I connected,  it was time for him to come home on leave during his year deployment.   It was around Easter that year and while he was home his father became ill.   He had to return to Florida to be with his Dad and on his way back to Africa had a stop over in Maryland, at BWI airport.   I had the opportunity to meet him while he was waiting for his connecting flight.  What an great day that was......we had a couple of hours to chat about our families, get to know each other and then say goodbye.

Not long after that I received a very special gift.   My first American flag, flown in my honor, accompanied by a certificate stating that it was flown on Memorial Day May 31st, 2004.  Along with the certificate was a letter from 1stSgt Curtis that said: "Susan, a small token of our appreciation.  From all of us to you, we thank you for your support of our troops deployed.  This flag was flown in Djibouti Africa in your honor.  We think the date is a special one, as we remember those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we share today.  We also remember those that have given a part of themselves each and every day ensuring that our troops deployed are not forgotten.  Thank you, may God bless you in all that you do."   Well, you can imagine my reaction to such a meaningful gift......by now you know me......I broke down and wept.   My brother in law was kind enough to mount these items in a beautiful shadow box which is displayed proudly in my home. I also received some cultural gifts such as a wooden African mask that I love.

Courtney had been in the Marine Corps since he graduated from high school, and shortly thereafter married his high school sweetheart Becky.   To this day, they are still like high school sweethearts with a precious love that has gotten them through multiple deployments, as well as a son who followed his dad's footsteps into the Marine Corps.   In 2005 when my nephew Alex was returning to Camp Lejeune from a deployment to Afghanistan, my family and I were there for the homecoming.   Courtney happened to be between deployments himself so I was invited to their charming home for dinner.   What a memorable evening that was!   I felt very welcomed and knew that our friendship was something out of the ordinary. During that trip he arranged for a visit to the new Wounded Warrior Barracks (Maxwell Hall), a refurbished barracks on base for our wounded warriors who were transitioning from hospital to home or back to active duty.   I had no idea at the time that my life would be moving in the direction of volunteering with our wounded warriors at Walter Reed (then Bethesda Naval Hospital).   Now that I look back I can see where the Lord was positioning me for what was to come!!!!

No matter where Courtney was stationed I supported his Marines with care packages.   His next deployment was to Iraq in  2005 with VMA 223.   (Marine Attack Squadron with Harrier Jets).   I received a second folded American flag with a certificate that was flown on September 11, 2005, the date chosen by Courtney, knowing how meaningful that date would always be.

When he returned from that deployment he was preparing for the Marine Corps Marathon.  I knew that if he was running that race he would have to be back here in the Maryland DC area.   I had the opportunity to cook him dinner!  On a Sunday morning he was invited to my Dad's for breakfast, so the whole family got to meet him.
Now everyone in my family understood what a treasure he is and why our friendship means so much.

Courtney has transferred a few times since then, traveled all over the country, and finally retired from the Marine Corps as a Sergeant Major just a couple of months ago.   Their family has settled in Yuma, Arizona, where he was at one time stationed and he and Becky fell in love with the climate and the area.   We stay in touch, something that will be much easier now that he will not be deploying again, and will be employed close to home.  Living with Becky full time is a new experience and one that I know they are cherishing after a long career of deployments.

My life has been blessed by his friendship....in so many ways.  He taught me quite a bit about the Marine Corps over the years.   I hope that our paths will cross again, but I feel sure that they will.   Courtney is one of the gifts that the care package ministry have given me.   I have only my God to thank....for only He knows His plans for me........and so far He has done a perfect job of guiding me.