Parachutes? Check. Dress Blues? Check. C-130? Check. Santa Claus? Oh, you know that’s a check.
High over Camp Shelby, Mississippi earlier this month, Marines of the 3rd Reconnaissance Company and the Marine Forces Reserves climbed in the back of a perfectly good C-130 Hercules and bailed out as part of Operation Santa Drop. The event saluted both the 75th anniversary of the Marine Corps Reserve’s long-running Toys for Tots program and the Corps’ 247th birthday on Nov. 10, 2022. Because of this, the uniform of the day was Marines Dress Blues and one regulation Kringle Suit.
(Photos: 2nd Lt. Desmond Jones/U.S. Army National Guard)
(Photos: 2nd Lt. Desmond Jones/U.S. Army National Guard)
The drop is in honor of the 75-year national Toys for Tots charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, “which provides happiness and hope to less fortunate children during each Christmas holiday season. The toys, books, and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children recognition and a positive memory for a lifetime.” (Photo: Chris Eger)
“To this day, the Toys for Tots program, which includes about 147 of your Marine Forces Reserve units, has helped support and bring a smile to the precious lives of 272 million children,” said Retired Lt. Gen. James Laster, Toys for Tots Foundation president and CEO.