 |
 |
|
|
Operation Gratitude Celebrates
The 500,000th Care Package!!
By Jeff “EzJ” Kraus
“As Americans, the most important thing we can do is to support our troops.” – Mrs. Carolyn Blashek, founder, Operation Gratitude HQ, 1130 hrs, Saturday, December 19, 2009
Six years ago a wonderful charity was started in the San Fernando Valley by two visionary American patriots: Mrs. Carolyn Blashek, a wife and a mother of a Marine Corps Officer and SSG Elizabeth Cowie, a mother and military career person. The charity’s mission is to raise the morale of every American Service Member deployed in a hostile region by mailing them individual care packages filled with useful goods accompanied by a personal letter of gratitude from an appreciative American citizen. The charity was simply named, “Operation Gratitude.” Over the last 6 years “OPGrat” has received thousands of emails and letters from American Military Personnel of every rank thanking the volunteers and sponsors for caring. With over $50,000,000.00 in donated goods shipped to date at a cost of over $5,000,000.00 in postage (the US Postal Service does not donate mailing costs), Operation Gratitude was preparing to ship its 500,000th care packages* to two American Service Members deployed in one of the most hostile regions in the world. Saturday, December 19, 2009 was going to be an epic day.
|
|
|
|
There is no larger, freedom-loving, patriotic group in the USA than American bikers. Three years ago South Bay Biker Productions joined the ranks of “OPGrat’s” corporate sponsors which include: Chrysler Corporation, Checkers Industries/Rally Burger, Disney, HBO, Target, Hershey’s and American Airlines, just to name a few. During South Bay Biker Productions association with “OPGrat” we have donated thousands of T-shirts and DVDs documenting famous motorcycle events (including our own) so American Service Members can “have a taste” of home and see the freedom we enjoy on America’s roads and highways courtesy of their sacrifices. Both Carolyn and Liz have spoken to our patrons at the Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally. Our Staff never misses an opportunity to tell bikers about “OPGrat’s” mission. After discovering Operation Gratitude during this year’s Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally, the latest sponsors to join our ranks are American Veterans Traveling Tributes (AVTT) and Sands Resorts.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
South Bay Biker Productions OPGrat Support Crew
|
|
|
|
South Bay Biker Productions Staff has looked forward to being an integral part of this milestone event for a long time. The day before, OPGrat co-founder, SSG Liz Cowie, rode her pearl white Vulcan from San Jose escorted by Hollister, CA HOG Chapter member, “Darlin Danny” Howe on his black HD Softail and his wife, ”Hollister Christy” Howe in the chase truck. Shasta Rally motorcycle photographer, Henry “Photoshooter” Aparicio, accepted our invitation to cover Saturday’s event and also made himself available to “OPGrat” for formal portraits, free of charge. Gary “Boogieman” Nadler & Lorrie “Tequila Rose” Nadler “caged-it” all the way from New River, AZ to join us. One of my closest friends, national bestselling author, Bill Hayes (“The Original Wild Ones”), carved out time to cover for Thunder Press. Quick Throttle’s Chris and Lisa Dalgaard dispatched staff photographer, Art Hall. Several weeks earlier, Jack (who was present last Christmas to cover OPGrat’s program), let me know he couldn’t make it. He asked me to write an article and for permission to use Henry’s photos to tell the story. Finally, Keith Ball, the former Editor-in-Chief of Easyriders Magazine and head of Bikernet.com, has published every PSA and article about “OPGrat” I have submitted. What is most important is after 3 years, bikers all over America and the world are finding out about and supporting “OPGrat.”
When the big day arrived we mustered in Redondo Beach at 0800 hrs and 7 motorcycles rode together as a unit to OPGrat’s HQ, the National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, CA. We were filled with anticipation. The chilly morning turned warm and the Holiday weekend traffic was light. It was going to be (as Bill Hayes always says) an “excellent” day. As we headed north on the 405 we spotted a huge yellow school bus packed with youngsters who waved as we rode by. We didn’t realize we would see them again shortly. Upon our arrival we noticed the parking lot next door to the Armory was packed with hundreds of cars! SSG Cowie directed the pack to pull into a VIP parking area where the bikes were safe from OPGrat’s crabby forklift driver. A few moments later, that same yellow school bus pulled into the parking lot, too! We watched the smiling youngsters pile out of the huge bus, eager to get to work. Once we parked, Bill took some photos of our crew. We were thrilled to see over a thousand volunteers of all ages inside the Armory packing, sealing boxes and addressing and taping mailing labels to the packages, 1 by 1. Outside were a hundred or more volunteers lined up waiting for their chance to sign-in and help. There were Boy Scouts, high school athletic teams, cheerleader teams, pretty girls in quasi-military uniforms, one lazy spoiled teenager, senior citizens and military personnel. As always the faithful nucleus of blue t-shirted well organized OPGrat Supervisors headed by “right-hand-man,” Charlie Othold were present. Most were quietly going about the business of keeping things running smoothly. None of us, including SSG Cowie, had ever seen so many people at OPGrat’s HQ. FOX news had their van strategically parked outside the Armory and their personnel were working on their second full day of coverage. It was exciting and heartwarming to witness this beehive of activity filled with patriotic selfless individuals of all ages and from all walks of life.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
LtC Don Allen/American Veterans Traveling Tributes & Operation Gratitude Founder, Mrs. Carolyn Blashek (photo by Tequila Rose)
|
|
|
|
Right on schedule at 11:15 AM, #500,000 came off the assembly line. Packing came to a halt and over a thousand volunteers gathered around the podium where ceremonies and speeches began amongst a sea of beta cams & photographers. Carolyn triumphantly held the milestone care package over her head as flashes went off and everyone cheered. Carolyn is always well spoken, completely sincere and usually not too emotional. Last Saturday was different. As she introduced several dignitaries, politicians, entertainment people and acknowledged all those who have given their time, money and consistent support to Operation Gratitude, she had to occasionally stop to regain her composure – especially when her fine son, 2nd Lieutenant Jordan Blashek, home on leave after completing Basic Training at Officers Candidate School for the Marine Corps was introduced. To cap off this amazing patriotic day, SSG Cowie rode her motorcycle into the Armory and presented the keys to 2 Harley Davidson Sportsters donated by new “OPGrat” sponsors, AVTT & Sands Resorts. The keys to the bikes were added to the contents of the milestone packages. Boy will those soldiers be tickled when they open those boxes and find those keys! Wish I could be there to see their faces! They will take delivery of their bikes once their deployment is complete and when they return stateside.
On behalf of South Bay Biker Productions and all American bikers and the biker media, it has been a privilege to support Operation Gratitude and its mission of ensuring that deployed American Service Members know Americans love and appreciate them.
Merry Christmas & may the Good Lord send His Angels to watch over all those who guard our nation at home and abroad,
Love & Respect,
EzJ, Wings2Fly, Boogieman, Tequila Rose, Pinky, Sluggo, Hollister Christy, Darlin Danny, Photoshooter, Jose & Martha - South Bay Biker Productions
* TWO Harley Davidson Sportsters make for dual 500,000th care packages.
Enjoy the pictures taken by Henry “Photoshooter” Aparicio...
|
|
|
|
(click on photo to enlarge)
|
|
