Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Assistant Managing Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Last December, the Third Battalion, 25th Marines gathered at the annual Marines Ball in Buffalo, New York before being deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. East Longmeadow resident and Marine Capt. John Kasparian was among the members of the unit preparing for his January deployment. Since his deployment, Reminder Publications "adopted" the 3/25 Marines and has regularly run stories from the unit in its weekly newspapers and on its web site www.reminderpublications.com. Many of the stories and photos have been written and taken by Kasparian, while others in his unit have also contributed. The stories have been of camraderie, warfare, interaction with local people, loss, and always of continuing the mission and supporting each other. The words "Semper Fi," now resonate with the readers who have followed their struggles and victories throughout the last nine months. The 3/25 Marines alone have suffered the loss of 47 soldiers during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Many others have been injured and returned to Iraq while some have lost limbs or sustained other serious injuries, preventing them from returning to war. Kasparian's wife, Jennifer, said she has been very lucky during her husband's deployment to receive several e-mails from him each week. "Because he is Adjutant for the Battalion, he has access to e-mail," Jennifer Kasparian explained. "I have been able to e-mail him frequently and he e-mails me back several times a week ... it's usually very short and to the point, but that's all I need to make sure that he's OK." She said she has also been able to talk on the phone with him a few times. "I'm always grateful when I can get a phone call," she said. "[The unit] had a lot of casualties in August and he did call after that happened to let me know he was OK. They wait in line to use the phone and he doesn't want to take the phone away [from other soldiers] because he does have access to e-mail, so it was about 3 a.m. his time when he called to let me know he was OK, and I was very grateful for the call." Kasparian and other family members recently found out that the 3/25 Marines will return home in October. In November, the annual Marines Ball will take place, and will serve as a venue for these Marines to reunite on U.S. soil, to see their injured camrades and to honor those who did not return home with them. The Ball will take place at the Embassy Suites Hotel Cleveland/Rockside in Cleveland, Ohio. "It's unfortunate that [the ball] will be somewhat solemn, but it will celebrate the accomplishments of these heroes," Jennifer Kasparian explained. She explained that attending the ball may be cost prohibitive for many Marines, and that is why a fund-raiser was conceived by Cathy Aitken, a Maryland resident whose brother is serving with the 3/25 Marines. The Marines and their families come from all over the Northeast and the Mid-West, and Aitken contacted local families and veterans organizations and helped get the event off the ground. The local fund-raiser is a motorcycle poker run on Sept. 25 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The starting point is American Legion Post 185, 478 Springfield St., Feeding Hills. The cost is $20 per driver, $10 per passenger. Donations will be accepted either through the poker run or through the Mid- Ohio Marine Corps Foundation (34 North High Street New Albany, OH 43054-8507), which serves all members of the 3/25, as well, which is based in Brook Park, OH. Organizers are also still accepting sponsorships for the poker run and would welcome any volunteers. Sponsorships are available for stops on the poker run route or for other activities planned for the day. "All contributions will be gratefully acknowledged," Kasparian added. Sponsors and volunteers may contact Jennifer Kasparian at 413-237-7118 or Jennifer@Kasparian.net. |
