Brant: Thanks, local stores, for supporting veterans

On behalf of the Marine Corps League Cpl. Phil Yin Detachment #1439 members, thanks to the managers of Bashas’, Safeway and Paul’s Hardware for authorizing our campaign to bring special awareness to the country’s veterans, while raising funds for good causes. Your staffs and your generous customers made us feel welcome and were most supportive.

Our detachment is made up of Marines who fought for our freedoms in Korea, Vietnam, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan, along with other hotspots around the globe. Others are family members, who in some cases have lost their fathers or spouses; along with Naval Corpsmen and even a British Royal Marine Commando. Several are carrying a little more from the battlefields as Purple Heart recipients.

We look out for those who returned home sometimes with physical or mental injuries. We also provide a financial token to the veterans who appear in the Veterans Court in front of Former Commandant, Tait Elkie, who served in Somalia and the first Gulf War, bringing an understanding perspective as judge.

Further, funds collected during the USMC Birthday and Veterans Weekend enables us to support, for example, a South Phoenix veterans homeless establishment, high school scholarships, Young Marines and an equine therapy course for abused children.

The detachment will host the state meeting in 2025, showcasing our town. Our increased membership will come in handy, along optimistically with some of the local Marines and family members not yet members. We meet at the Legion the first Tuesday each month at 6 p.m. At our monthly socials we share tales of yesteryear and enjoy each other’s company. The brotherhood and sisterhood will never die!

Again, thanks to the stores’ unwavering support and for participating in the Toys for Tots campaign. Donated toys will bring joy to homes of underprivileged children.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.