The Rotary Club of Temecula welcomed Col. Vance Cryer, outgoing commander of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit at Camp Pendleton as speaker during their weekly meeting on April 20th. Col. Cryer is moving on to his new post as the military assistant to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, which will officially occur during the change of command ceremony on 4/22/16.
The MEU, is part of the MAGTFs (Marine Air-Ground Task Force) and is comprised of about 2,200 Marines and Sailors. Col. Cryer’s impressive military service began in 1991 in Texas; he was designated a Naval Aviator 20 May 1994. To learn more about Col. Cryer and the mission of the 15th MEU go to www.15thmeu.marines.mil
The Rotary Club’s Military Committee supports the MEU by supplying items needed by families while their Marines are deployed. The two main events include “Turkey and Toys” providing holiday food boxes and gifts for children.
The second project is “Baby Shower in a Box” which includes many necessary items for new mothers. The club gave a very warm welcome to Col. Cryer and thanked him for his service to our country.
During the same meeting the club presented a donation of $1000 to non-profit organization Operation Silver Star for their Veteran Caregiver Support program.
Founders Richard and Delia De La Cruz were on hand to accept the “big check”. They are dedicated to assisting wounded and returning combat military veterans of all eras, their website is www.operationsilverstar.org.
The military committee also supports Warfighter Made, a local Veteran owned organization who’s mission is to adapt, and customize a combat wounded Veteran’s vehicle, so they can continue doing the things they enjoy, while their vehicle reflects their individual personality. www.warfightermade.org
Another great non-profit organization the club supports is the WAVES Project, Wounded American Veterans Experience SCUBA. Their donation of $1600 has made SCUBA training possible for 3 veterans this year to help them recover from service connected disabilities. WAVES Project works with all levels of injuries including brain trauma, paralysis, double and triple amputees and PTSD. Their website is www.wavesproject.org.
According to Jana Swenson, co-chair of the military committee “All of us on the military committee are very passionate about helping the military in our community. This is our 3rd year supporting All From the Heart’s Wheels for Warriors program. We will present their founder Judy Harter with a check next week for $1200.00 which pays for 3 power wheel chairs to be refurbished for veterans in need”. You can visit their website at www.allfromtheheart.org
Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Clubs are non-political, non-religious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.
The Rotary Club of Temecula was founded in 1975 and currently boasts more than 100 local business owners and professionals that are committed to Service Above Self. To learn more about the many local, regional and international projects the Rotary Club of Temecula is involved in please visit rotarycluboftemecula.com. Bio for Col. Vance Cryer available here: http://www.15thmeu.marines.mil/Leaders/tabid/8660/Article/545593/colonel-cryer.aspx