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Teenager delivers on ambitious letter drive;

2 Jun 2005 | Sgt. Enrique S. Diaz Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A local teenager has not only achieved her goal of spawning 1 million letters thanking U.S. troops -- she delivered some of them in person, including a calling card to local Marines May 19.

Shauna Fleming, founder of A Million Thanks, and 31 of her classmates visited Marines from 1st Combat Engineer Battalion to deliver letters of appreciation and individually recognize U.S. servicemembers for their service.

A Million Thanks is a year-round campaign to show U.S. Military men and women, past and present, appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication and service to the country through our letters, emails cards, prayers and thoughts, according to a statement from www.amillionthanks.org.

"Our troops, for over 200 years, have been the ones who have kept this nation free and strong. I encourage them all to keep fighting strong and know that God has put them here for a reason, and they are doing an awesome job," Fleming said.

Last year, the 16-year-old sophomore at Lutheran High School in Orange persuaded her principal, Gregg Pinick, to designate her school as the collection point for her letter campaign, which she named "A Million Thanks."

Her goal was to collect and distribute 1 million letters and e-mails bound for servicemembers in the U.S. and abroad.

Mission accomplished -- and then some.

"This week we reached (1.4 million), so I can say, at least symbolically, that 'A Million Thanks' has a thank you for every servicemember," she said.

Many CEB Marines not only appreciated the visit -- it renewed their hope in the next generation of servicemen and women as well.

"I'm speechless," said Sgt. Richard L. Brown, a 28-year-old construction engineer. "I think they're going in a good direction and hopefully, I'll be thanking them for what they do in the future."

Brown, an Anaheim native, comes from the same hometown as many of the students in attendance. He shared a few laughs with some of the students.

"What's gray and has a trunk?" Corinne Armstrong, a 15-year-old from Anaheim, asked Brown.

Brown guessed "elephant" and "car" before finally giving up. The young girl answered "a mouse traveling with a little suitcase, 'cause it's gray." Both Marine and student paused at the answer, then giggled.

One student explained why she also valued the meeting.

"It's a very rare opportunity to thank people individually for all that they do for us," said Katie Pascoe, 16, from Tustin.

"Some of these guys are going to be stationed out there (Iraq); they care," said Rochelle Howell, a 15-year-old from Anaheim. Fleming plans to charter "A Million Thanks" clubs in high schools across the country, and to establish a foundation to assist wounded soldiers and their families.

Fleming added she would also like to reach another million troops with letters of thanks.

Teenager delivers on ambitious letter drive;

2 Jun 2005 | Sgt. Enrique S. Diaz Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A local teenager has not only achieved her goal of spawning 1 million letters thanking U.S. troops -- she delivered some of them in person, including a calling card to local Marines May 19.

Shauna Fleming, founder of A Million Thanks, and 31 of her classmates visited Marines from 1st Combat Engineer Battalion to deliver letters of appreciation and individually recognize U.S. servicemembers for their service.

A Million Thanks is a year-round campaign to show U.S. Military men and women, past and present, appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication and service to the country through our letters, emails cards, prayers and thoughts, according to a statement from www.amillionthanks.org.

"Our troops, for over 200 years, have been the ones who have kept this nation free and strong. I encourage them all to keep fighting strong and know that God has put them here for a reason, and they are doing an awesome job," Fleming said.

Last year, the 16-year-old sophomore at Lutheran High School in Orange persuaded her principal, Gregg Pinick, to designate her school as the collection point for her letter campaign, which she named "A Million Thanks."

Her goal was to collect and distribute 1 million letters and e-mails bound for servicemembers in the U.S. and abroad.

Mission accomplished -- and then some.

"This week we reached (1.4 million), so I can say, at least symbolically, that 'A Million Thanks' has a thank you for every servicemember," she said.

Many CEB Marines not only appreciated the visit -- it renewed their hope in the next generation of servicemen and women as well.

"I'm speechless," said Sgt. Richard L. Brown, a 28-year-old construction engineer. "I think they're going in a good direction and hopefully, I'll be thanking them for what they do in the future."

Brown, an Anaheim native, comes from the same hometown as many of the students in attendance. He shared a few laughs with some of the students.

"What's gray and has a trunk?" Corinne Armstrong, a 15-year-old from Anaheim, asked Brown.

Brown guessed "elephant" and "car" before finally giving up. The young girl answered "a mouse traveling with a little suitcase, 'cause it's gray." Both Marine and student paused at the answer, then giggled.

One student explained why she also valued the meeting.

"It's a very rare opportunity to thank people individually for all that they do for us," said Katie Pascoe, 16, from Tustin.

"Some of these guys are going to be stationed out there (Iraq); they care," said Rochelle Howell, a 15-year-old from Anaheim. Fleming plans to charter "A Million Thanks" clubs in high schools across the country, and to establish a foundation to assist wounded soldiers and their families.

Fleming added she would also like to reach another million troops with letters of thanks.