MARINES HELP SANTA IN CANYON.Byline: Daily News EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. - Marine reservists based at Edwards helped deliver Christmas toys to one of the country's most isolated communities: an American Indian American Indian or Native American or Amerindian or indigenous American Any member of the various aboriginal peoples of the Western Hemisphere, with the exception of the Eskimos (Inuit) and the Aleuts. village at the bottom of the Grand Canyon Grand Canyon, great gorge of the Colorado River, one of the natural wonders of the world; c.1 mi (1.6 km) deep, from 4 to 18 mi (6.4–29 km) wide, and 217 mi (349 km) long, NW Ariz. . The Edwards-based Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 flew in gifts from the Toys for Tots Toys For Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by Major Bill Hendricks. program. Marine reservists from two Arizona companies List of Arizona companies includes notable companies that are, or once were, headquartered in Arizona. A
``What I've been told is that this is the event that the kids look forward to more than anything that happens down here. This is their highlight of the year,'' said Richard McCallum, Operation Havasupai coordinator. The Edwards-based HMM-764 teamed up with the Arizona branch of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation and with the Arizona Marine Corps League to delight children in the community that can be reached only by foot, mule or helicopter. Crews in twin-rotor helicopters based at Edwards have annually joined in the Christmas delivery of food and toys to the tribe. Toys for Tots brings holiday gifts to America's neediest children, the Marines noted. For many of them, this could be the only Christmas presents they'll get. ``Santa is real for the (Grand Canyon) children,'' said tribe member Tammara Watahomigie. ``Santa comes here once a year, and they cherish that moment. They know Santa comes from the North Pole North Pole, northern end of the earth's axis, lat. 90°N. It is distinguished from the north magnetic pole. U.S. explorer Robert E. Peary is traditionally credited as being the first to reach (1909) the North Pole. In 1926, Richard E. , so when he flies in with a helicopter, they truly believe he came from the North Pole.'' The helicopter flights provide training for their Marine crews. ``It's an opportunity for us to fly high altitude in mountainous terrain so it's actually good training,'' said Maj. Marcus Malais, a CH-46 pilot. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Marines help Santa Claus visit Indian children in the Grand Canyon. Locally based Marines are among Santa's helpers. (2) Santa Claus trades his sleigh sleigh: see sled. for a horse on his visit to American Indians living at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. U.S. Marine Corps |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion