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Copyright 2009 - Support Our Heroes * Another Website by mikedantonio.com

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Marine Sgt. Luis Mercado Jr. is the most popular man in his platoon when a package arrives in Iraq from his mom in Orange County. Surrounded by many soldiers, he distributes supplies of socks, drinks and food. Two large boxes of potato chips "disappear in 10 seconds, as if [the soldiers] have never eaten chips before," says Mercado.

Luz Mercado sends out the care packages daily to boost the soldiers' morale. Sponsoring her son's platoon has become her mission since their deployment to Iraq. "We have a mini Sam's Club in our garage," Luis Mercado Sr. says. "All you need is a shopping cart to go down the aisles...Things we take for granted, they appreciate a great deal. At 7:30 a.m., it is already 137 degrees there, so drinks are very important."

Luz operated as a one-person charity for months; now she is affiliated with the non-profit organization Support Our Heroes. "it was getting costly, about $30 to $40, to send the packages," says Luis Sr. The couple have been overwhelmed by the public's response to recent publicity, which sparked donations from families and organizations. "One child sent a letter with a check for $5. He said it was all he could do now, but when he gets older he wants to be a Marine," says Luis Sr..

Luz says the soldiers are doing more for her than she can for them. "Whether we believe in the war or not, they're giving us their lives."

• December 31, 2009: Local help needed to supply troops
   
• December 21, 2009: Mother sending Christmas gifts to 5 platoons
   
• December 11, 2009: New Windsor Mother Asks You to Support Our Heroes (Link to pdf file. Opens in new window.)
   
• December 13, 2008: Donations Dwindle as War Becomes an Old Story to Many.
   
• November 19, 2008: Que Pasa?: Support Our Heroes sends parcels to troops abroad.
   
• December 24: Drive to help troops runs dry.
   
• July 09, 2007: Support Our Heroes Collecting Contributions.
   
• June 29, 2007: Support Our Heroes Collecting Contributions.
   
• September 09, 2004: Marine's family on edge. (Times-Herald Record)
   
• September 22, 2004: One-woman organization helps troops. (Times-Herald Record)
   
• October 05, 2004: Marines get word: We really do care. (Times-Herald Record)
   
• October 20, 2004: Despite danger, Marine writes that morale is up. (Times-Herald Record)
   
• November 26, 2004: Marine mom's mission: Gifts for troops in Iraq. (Times-Herald Record)
   
• December 08, 2004: If There Were a Marine Medal for Shopping, She'd Get It. (NY Times)
   
• December 24, 2004: 'Not a whole family' at Christmas, Marine's dad says. (Times-Herald Record)
   
• October 01, 2005: Soldier's mother fulfilling promise. (Times-Herald Record)

Articles posted in regards to Support Our Heroes