Photo By Staff Sgt. John Suleski | Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 hosted the 19th annual Gunnery Sgt. Michael S....... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - Approximately 100 Corvette drivers drove aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, strutting their expensive toys at the Staff Non-commissioned Officer Club, Dec. 3.
But, the drive wasn’t about pride for their vehicles.
Instead, the drivers of Twin Rivers, Cape Fear, Grand Stand and Myrtle Beach Corvette clubs packed their cars with toys and food for the 19th annual Gunnery Sgt. Michael S. Casey Toy Run, hosted by Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26.
The toys and food will go to the families of MALS-26 Marines who are down on their luck for the holidays. Any unused items will go to Marines from other units on the air station.
The late Casey, who passed away in Fall 2007, organized the first Corvette toy run in 1992 because he knew a few of the Marines under him didn’t have enough to provide for their families.
He asked members of his Corvette club if they wanted to do a good deed. Back then, seven cars participated in the toy run.
“A few years ago, he (Casey) said, ‘wouldn’t it be great if 100 cars showed up one year?’” said Phyllis Casey, Michael’s widow. “Now look at it. More than 100.”
Although her husband passed away a few years ago, Phyllis still organizes the toy run because it was one of his last dying wishes for it to continue.
Phyllis said when her husband, a Vietnam veteran, was a lance corporal, they already had two children and making ends meet was difficult for them, especially around the holiday season.
MALS-26 has 120 Marines who are currently deployed to Afghanistan or on a MEU, said Lt. Col. Raymond G. Baker, MALS-26 commanding officer.
“A lot of children have their father or mother deployed right now,” he said. “This really is appreciated and goes a long way to helping those young families have a great Christmas this year.”
While mostly a philanthropist venture, the toy drive also gave Corvette owners a chance to show off and build camaraderie with other enthusiasts.
MALS-26 provided an MV-22B Osprey for the event so each driver could pose with it for a photograph. Afterwards the drivers parked their cars into four rows and started mingling among one another, comparing cars and swapping stories.
For one driver, owning a Corvette was a lifelong dream.
David Eastwood, owner of a white 1976 Chevrolet Corvette, said he dreamed about owning a Corvette since he was a child.
“You know all those dreams you had when you were a kid?” Eastwood said. “You wanted to get a car when you were older and able to afford it? Well, now I finally got one, and I thoroughly enjoy it.”
Eastwood said he also enjoys entertaining his grandchildren with it. But, today, he helped children of Marines with the toys he brought in his car.
“The kids are getting toys for Christmas,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
| Date Taken: | 12.03.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.06.2011 11:19 |
| Story ID: | 80948 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 141 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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