Photo By Cpl. Jackeline Perez Rivera | Sgt. Jeremy Kinsey, a platoon guide with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine...... read more read more
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JACKSONVILLE, N.C. -- More than 100 Marines received free, donated dress blues, other uniforms and their accessories in time for the Marine Corps Ball through Operation: Dress Blues at the Jacksonville USO, Nov. 5 and 6.
The uniforms were donated by the family of Wayne Mathis, a local businessman who has rented uniforms to Marines in the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune community for decades.
After Wayne passed away, his family knew some Marines would struggle without his store around.
Eva Mathis, Wayne Mathis’ daughter, felt concerned when it came time to close the store, especially so close to the Marine Corps birthday.
“We felt so guilty about closing the store, but we knew there was no way we could keep it open to rent the blues,” said Eva.
Eva was concerned about the many Marines who have shopped at her father’s store throughout the years. Many of her father’s customers were young Marines who grew or bulked up during their enlistment, outgrowing their uniforms and needing a quick replacement.
“We had everything a young Marine would need in a jam,” said Eva. “Dad had bought dress blues for years and years. We had piles of them.”
When it came time to close the store, the Mathis family wanted to help provide what Wayne had provided for the military community for decades.
“My father supported our family from a military based business,” said Eva. “Every prom dress, college, everything was paid for by businesses from the military community. We wanted to give back.”
The Mathis family donated more than $15,000 worth of dress blues and accessories to the Jacksonville USO. Many Marines walked away with full uniforms.
“It’s amazing that people care so much about us they are willing to donate to us,” said Sgt. Jeremy Kinsey, a platoon guide with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.
Some Marines who received a uniform had suffered recent crisis such as a fire, while others had simply slimmed down or bulked up and needed a different uniform.
“(Operation: Dress Blues) was great, we love being able to help out,” said Deb Fisher, the director of the Jacksonville USO. “It’s good when you can help fill a need.”
The Mathis family believes Wayne would be happy to learn his merchandise is being used by Marines.
“He always said you have to give something back,” said Eva. “I think he would have been so proud.”
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| Date Taken: | 11.14.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2013 11:40 |
| Story ID: | 116725 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 1,090 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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