Othello entity adopts Marine platoon in Iraq

Hispanic chamber of commerce takes step aided by family of local resident

An Othello family has unleashed a wave of patriotism and solidarity.

The parents of Othello High graduate Rocky Rocha, currently in Iraq with the 81st Marine Platoon started sending care packages to their son, unknowingly creating a community phenomenon that has gone beyond the boundaries of family support.

Bob Guerrero, president of the Othello Hispanic Chamber of Commerce said that it was Rocky Rocha himself, stationed in the outskirts of Fallujah, who told his parents Lydia and Agustin that he was sharing with his platoon mates the goodies that came from Othello, "and sometimes it was not enough."

The Rochas asked the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce if they could help, which led to the organization's informal adoption of the platoon.

Fernando Moreno, vice president of the chamber and owner of the Othello McDonald's restaurant said the goal is to be able to send the platoon a package per week.

"Rocky shares the stuff with kids that don't get much from home," Moreno said. "Receiving a package a week might give them something to look forward to."

The package, besides containing cookies from Happy Meals, will carry a variety of other products, from toothpaste and toothbrushes, to sunflower seeds, deodorants, crackers and hot sauce, every item donated from a different Othello business.

"Everybody donates a little bit of everything," Guerrero said. "Potter's Drugstore, The Lep-Re-Kon, Wal-Mart, Bob's Corner. It's a privilege to give something back."

The price to send the package to Iraq is about $28, for which Moreno's business made a $100 donation. Moreno's only concern is how an enclosed additional shipment of freshly baked cookies will make it to the Mideast.

Apart from the food and personal items, the packages will be dripping with patriotic solidarity, both Guerrero and Moreno said.

"There was no way we could say no," Guerrero said. "We look at the news every night, and we hear about soldiers getting killed. We wanted Rocky and other members of the community who are in the Armed Forces to know that we are appreciate what they do."

Moreno agreed, noting that what is shown on TV can be painful to watch, especially of late, when Fallujah is on the news practically every day.

"The idea is for us to have a link to them and for them to have a link to us," he explained. "A way for them to know that they are loved."

Alex Rocha, Rocky's brother said Lydia has been in touch with Rocky and she tells him the 21-year-old soldier is doing well, but is tired of the heat.

Lydia, Rocky's mom said her son is doing fine and keeps telling her not to worry.

"We are all very worried," she said. When all this began, I was worried to the point that I did not want to do anything. Now I can talk about it, but only I know how I feel inside."

Once again, the support of the community has shown through.

"I pray for him and for all the other people over there," she said. "People are telling me they are going to pray for him, too, and that makes me happy."

Alex added that the community's support "makes me feel great. It's something people should be doing if they had children over there, supporting their troops."

Lydia said her son's return date is uncertain, as he was supposed to return this October, but his tour time might be extended.