When a soldier is finally returning home after years of deployment, the first people who usually greets them at MCAS Miramar is Chula Vista’s Marine League Detachment No. 1207
The meet and greet is just one of more than a dozen ways that the group assists active duty military personnel and veterans.
The Marine League Detachment’s central mission is to preserve the traditions and promoting the interest of the United States Marine Corp., while addressing the needs of active duty marines and veterans.
“A lot of the work we do is right here in Chula Vista, in our own communities,” said Cheryl Perez, a long-time member.
Among the league’s successful events is a furniture program for Wounded Warriors.
Virgil Whitehead, one of two founders of the local association, and several members visit the homes of Wounded Warriors to inspect their needs.
“What we’ve seen is that they needed furniture more than anything else,” Whitehead said.
“So we pick up furniture from anybody who wants to donate it and have it delivered (to the Wounded Warriors).”
Whitehead is a Korean War veteran.
Whitehead recalls a time when a Wounded Warrior, and his family of three, were sleeping on their bedroom floor with a sleeping bag. Whitehead said the family didn’t have many appliances and ate out of paper plates.
The Marine Corps League Detachment stepped in and fixed the family with a bed, dishes, clothes and other needed furniture.
Whitehead estimates that about 3,500 military families throughout county have benefited from the program.
Whitehead said he has established contacts with the Veterans’ hospitals, Camp Pendleton military base, and 29 Palms base. He said each base and hospital alerts the detachment when there is someone with a need.
The Toys for Tots holiday toy drive is one of the biggest events held by the detachment.
Perez, who oversees the Toys for Tots program, said the group collects more than 40,000 toys for military families each year.
And just recently the group has provided scholarship opportunities for the Student Veterans’ Organization at Southwestern College.
The helping hand isn’t exclusive for the Marines.
The Marines Detachment has also helped veterans from all military branches, Whitehead said.
The group meets on the last Tuesday of the month at the Chula Vista Veterans’ home, tossing around ideas as to how to help a Wounded Warrior or a veteran.
Whitehead said there are 38 member’s in the detachment, but said the number could be larger if those who helped become members.
“Membership to us doesn’t mean that much because a lot of the veterans will come to our meetings and they’re not a member,” he said. ‘If they come to a meeting we welcome them. Anybody can walk in.”
Whitehead said their assistance is appreciated.
“They will hug you and sometimes they cry,” he said. “It makes you want to cry sometimes too and that’s the real reward.”
