Pony Express | Donated Computers
In 2016 Nellie Gail resident Barry Gillespie had a brainstorm. His wife, Vanessa Kon, serves on the Board of Team Darkhorse and he’d come to see the need junior enlisted Marines and young veterans have for laptops. Veterans were pursuing their post-service education, and enlisted Marines can take and get credit for on-line courses. But without the financial ability to purchase their own computer, completing this course work was a great challenge.
At Barry’s work, he knew that used laptops, once replaced, would be discarded. Together with his tech team, they came up with a way to wipe clean to DOD standards, and reprogram the computers with a new operating system. Team Darkhorse accepted the computers and in turn worked to select veterans and junior Marines to receive them. The hours spent laboring to rework each computer were volunteer hours on the part of the tech team. Any costs of shipping, which were minimal, were paid by Team Darkhorse.
Ultimately, over the last two years, the PPG Information Technology Team, led by Alex Khatchadourian, donated more than 80 computers. Upon the news of the most recent shipment of 30 computers, Team Darkhorse asked the Commanding Officer, LtCol Jackson Doan, if the Marines might be able to present a certificate of appreciation to the PPG IT Team.
LtCol Doan, together with Sergeant Major Ed Kretschmer, did that and more!
An invitation was issued to the PPG Team to attend a Formation (the entire Battalion assembled on the Parade Deck) on January 29. At that formation Team Darkhorse planned to present gift checks and hand carved wooden boxes (created by Orange County Woodworkers Association) which we give to each of the Marine of the Quarter and the Non Commissioned Officer of the Quarter.
Alex Khatchadourian and his team drove over an hour from Sylmar, to be present. We met them at the Battalion HQ, and walked toward the parade deck, where we stood in front of the awe inspiring scene of 1,000 plus Marines standing at attention. First , the Commanding Officer explained to the Marines the significance of being selected as Marine or Non Commisioned Officer of the Quarter, and then explained that our support group acknowledges their achievement with a gift. The two Marines stepped forward, received their award and gift.
The Commanding Officer then called the five men from PPG to come forward and stand with him, while he read and presented the PPG IT Team with a beautiful plaque of recognition. Lt Col Doan then shook each of their hands, and the Sergeant Major then began calling out, one at a time, the Marines selected to receive a computer.
Each Marine, as his name was called, stepped forward out of formation, accepted his computer, and locked eyes with the civilian men who had worked hard to make the computers available. Those moments were priceless. The PPG Team left feeling appreciated and very inspired. Once again, the good people of our country worked together to get something good done. Semper Fi, PPG!