Love in a Box

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nadia Lund | 210307-N-IV962-1128 ARABIAN GULF (March 7, 2021) – U.S. Navy Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Brandy Anderson inspects mail in the hangar bay aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nadia Lund)  

PACIFIC OCEAN

05.03.2021

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeremy Laramore 

USS Makin Island (LHD 8)

As Makin Island turns toward home, the crew reflects back on a taxing deployment. Sailors saw limited liberty, very few “port visits” and a restrictive mask around their faces almost every day. So how did they accomplish a successful deployment through such adversities? Easy. Snacks.
Care packages, regardless of how big or small, ease the stress of a deployment and remind the crew that they have something to look forward to.
When, “All mail orderlies report to the hangar bay,” is called over the 1MC, it’s a bitter sweet call for the orderlies but only sweet for the rest of the crew. Personnel are filled with hopefulness, joy and curiosity almost instantly. Did I get something?
“I got chocolate almond milk and chocolate covered almonds and they were gone quick,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Justin Cooper, the leading petty officer of safety department. “Getting a package makes you feel special. I don’t expect anything unless I order it myself but my family surprised me.”
Sweeties and salties aren’t the only thing that keeps Sailors and Marines going. Most of the time, it’s a sweet personal sentiment to remind them that there is an end to this challenging cruise. There is still someone waiting for them and willing to take the time out of their day to write, or even a young relative to scribble a nonsensical masterpiece on a piece of construction paper.
“Something that helped me get through deployment was the pictures that I got from my family,” said Cpl. James Kahookele III, a rifleman with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “I was pretty ecstatic. I don’t get to see them very much so it made me very happy and I got to see how big my siblings are getting.”
Kahookele, who was born and raised in Hawaii, also received items that brought back memories from home.
“My favorite food I received in a care package had to be the seaweed,” said Kahookele. “It reminded me of Spam musubi. Musubi is a big snack item back in Hawaii. It sent me back there, thinking about the spam and rice and various flavors that were personally made by loved ones.”
These goodies wouldn’t be possible without the support from loved ones back home.
“My mom sent the best care packages,” said Kahookele. “Between the pictures and the seaweed it was definitely my favorite.”
Sometimes the best care packages are the ones they get themselves. With a treat yo’self mentality, some crew members logged on to the wonderful World Wide Web and did just that.
“I got myself a laptop,” said Operation Specialist Seaman Dave Desir, a surface tracker in operations department. “I was happy it arrived in 30 days, undamaged, and it definitely helped me get through deployment.”
Regardless of if it was relatives sending treats, a love letter from a significant other, or even a self-purchased special package, getting mail can melt the hearts of the saltiest crew members. Hang in there Makin Island, you’re almost home.

• Date Taken: 05.03.2021
• Date Posted: 05.08.2021 12:59
• Story ID: 395969
• Location: PACIFIC OCEAN