In Brazoria County, Texas, military moms and wives understand the value of a simple care package that can uplift the spirits of our soldiers and keep them motivated to continue their service.
Mary Moreno’s life changed forever in 2002 when her 18-year-old son expressed his desire to join the Marine Corps. Her husband was taken aback, as he jokingly stated that their son couldn’t even be convinced to mow the lawn. Today, Mary Moreno leads the “Military Moms and Wives of Brazoria County” organization, based in Angleton, Texas, about an hour away from Houston. Over the past 21 years, she and volunteers have sent over 500,000 care packages to soldiers who are far from home and family.
Before all of this, she went through a personal hell. She recounted how her son, who had only known a safe community environment, ended up on the battlefield after signing up to become a sniper in the Marine Corps following the events of September 11, 2001.
As a mother, Mary couldn’t handle the stress. While her husband found solace in working on their property, she found herself trapped in fear and anxiety at home, constantly worried about her son’s well-being.
She spiraled into depression and eventually spent 45 days in the hospital. It was her daughter, Stephanie Guerrero, who encouraged Mary to fight on and find the strength to inspire others. Stephanie’s words never left Mary, and they became a driving force in her life.
Mary reached out to a local newspaper, The Brazosport Facts, to share her story. This led to the formation of the “Military Moms and Wives” group, where mothers and wives with similar experiences came together to support each other and send care packages to deployed soldiers.
The packages, filled with snacks, socks, sunscreen, toothpaste, granola bars, drink mixes, towels, and other essential items, aim to remind soldiers that they are not forgotten. Each package costs $35 to assemble and $18.40 to ship, funded solely by donations and operated by volunteers.
Soldiers stationed in Texas and along the Mexico border express gratitude for these care packages, which boost their morale and provide much-needed relief in extreme conditions.
Mary and her volunteers regularly travel long hours to deliver packages to various border towns, such as Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Laredo, Rio Grande City, Edinburg, Elsa, and others. Their dedication to supporting soldiers and their families extends beyond just sending care packages, as they also offer emotional support during challenging times.
One volunteer, Frank Morelli Jr., a Navy veteran with a daughter serving on the USS Carl Vinson, understands the significance of receiving care packages while deployed. He emphasizes the importance of showing soldiers that they are cared for and appreciated, even in peacetime.
Despite facing a decline in volunteers and donations, Mary and her team continue their mission to ensure that soldiers feel remembered, valued, and cherished through these care packages, making receiving mail a heartwarming experience for them.
The story of Mary Moreno and the “Military Moms and Wives” organization is a testament to the power of community support and compassion in uplifting the spirits of those who serve our country.