Those who have worn the uniform and served America in battle zones or other posts far from home say they can’t begin to describe how important it is for them not to be forgotten.
It is why simple care packages filled with basics civilians stateside take for granted — socks, deodorant, toothpaste and such along with treats such as beef jerky, candy, and even amusements such as a deck of cards or magazines and books — can uplift their spirits.
It is something that Chuck Palmer knew well.
Not because he served which he did but because of his son Charles O. Palmer III.
His son, a Manteca High graduate, had already left the Marine Corps years before the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He rejoined the service after the attack.
Palmer was killed in Iraq in May of 2007. His father, determined to honor his son and countless thousands of men and women that willingly put their lives on the line to serve the nation, founded the Marine Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II Troop Support Program.
Since its founding volunteers from across the South County have collected donated items, packaged them, raised for boxes that cost more than $15 each to ship, and sent nearly 30,000 care packages.
It is why the thousands upon thousands of men and women touched by the effort would be saddened to hear the news that Chuck Palmer passed away this week.
Chuck and his wife Teri formed the troop support effort shortly after their son was killed.
The couple worked hand-in-hand for the past 13 years overseeing the collections of items as well as organizing volunteers to pack the care boxes.
They made sure each care package had a personal, handwritten note from a community member thanking the recipient for their service.
At the time of Charles O. Palmer’s II death, the husband of Palmers’ daughter Jeni was in the military along with their youngest son Jason. Both Jeni and Jason suggested to Chuck and Teri an idea — sending care packages — they felt would help the family cope and heal, as well as convey support to active duty military stationed overseas.
They began by holding informal gatherings in their backyard with family and friends to pack personal care items to ship to Jeni’s husband and those deployed with him. From that grew an ever increasing interest and participation by others which led to the formal organized troop pack events for Memorial Troop Support Program MTSP in 2015.
Boxes are shipped throughout the world to meet MTSP’s mission “to raise awareness of the general public of the sacrifices and the dedication of troops of all branches of the United States Military by supporting active duty service members and their families, Veterans and their families, and families that have lost someone in combat.”
Chuck was a Vietnam War era veteran and worked for over 10 years at Sharpe Army Depot in Lathrop.
Palmer graduated from Sacramento City College in 1979. He was in the US Army active duty from 1972 to 1974 with four additional years of inactive duty.
The couple was inducted into the Manteca Hall of Fame in 2019 under the special recognition category.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
