As Christmas approaches, many Americans are decorating their homes, buying gifts and food to fill their families with holiday spirit. However, some soldiers stationed at remote military bases in the U.S. find their homes feeling lonely due to the isolation and inconvenience.
Last Sunday, the “Making Spirits Bright” (MSB) organization in Diamond Bar, Los Angeles County, held a toy donation and delivery charity event at a holiday hotel in Diamond Bar to support the soldiers at the National Training Center (NTC) in the Mojave Desert. During the event, Army Commander Steven Chadwick introduced the rigorous training that soldiers at the base undergo and the challenges they face in their family lives.
Located in the desolate Mojave Desert, the NTC experiences extreme temperatures, reaching up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) in the summer and dropping below 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 degrees Celsius) in the winter. Chadwick mentioned that the soldiers spend half of their training time patrolling and conducting guard duties in the bone-chilling cold of the desert nights, making their training incredibly challenging.
Around four to five thousand soldiers are trained at Fort Irwin, engaging in realistic combat simulations between “enemies” and “our forces”. After their training, they become one of the most elite units in the U.S. Army. Additionally, there are also dedicated personnel responsible for the base’s security and support.
Despite the excellent training environment the desert provides, Chadwick highlighted the sense of isolation it brings. While the base has a small commissary and adequate facilities, if the commissary runs out of supplies or military families need to purchase other items, they often have to drive 40 miles to the nearest Walmart. This can pose a significant financial burden, especially for young soldiers supporting their families and trying to cover the expenses of buying Christmas food and gifts.
During the event, various organizations such as the San Dimas Rotary Club, Walnut Valley Water District, and the organization “Taking a Community Forward” (TACF) brought hundreds of gifts for the soldiers, including dozens of children’s bicycles filling the corners of the hotel conference room.
Chadwick expressed deep gratitude to the Diamond Bar community and other organizations for providing Christmas gifts, saying, “This can make life a little easier for our soldier’s families.”
Raymond Foster, chairman of the San Dimas Rotary Club, who himself served in the U.S. military fifty years ago, understands the financial challenges young soldiers and their families face. After witnessing the need for assistance among some military families at a base, he founded a local Rotary Club which sometimes delivers up to 8 tons of food in a single shipment.
While some soldier’s families at certain bases have food pantries and support organizations, not all are as fortunate. Foster emphasized how crucial support is for these families, stating, “Which soldier can perform their duties efficiently without worrying about their family’s well-being?”
Foster has been reaching out to support various bases including the Los Angeles Air Force Base and the Long Beach Coast Guard Base, with plans to expand the support to more bases.
In addition to providing Christmas gifts, some organizations have also generously donated funds. The TACF, known for its dedication to public welfare, donated $2,000. After the president, Kuan Yixiu, posted a message in the group, many Chinese individuals contributed to bring Christmas blessings to the families of young soldiers at the Fort Irwin base.
The event featured multiple rounds of songs, guitar, and violin performances, including Christmas carols like “Silent Night” and the U.S. National Anthem. Diamond Bar City Councilor James Deng and several friends joined in playing the guitar, creating a relaxing and friendly atmosphere for all attendees.
Several leaders from the Walnut Valley Water District also participated in the donation event. Some of the attendees have family members in the military and understand the various difficulties military families face. Utilizing their resources from personal or company connections, they collected and transported aid supplies to support the cause. They expressed how proud and joyful they felt participating in such activities.