‘Support Our Heroes’ seeks help during holidays

By Alberto Gilman
Posted 12/8/21

‘Support Our Heroes’ again reaches out to neighbors and supporters for donations and support during the on-going holiday season.

The story of ‘Support Our Heroes’ on …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

‘Support Our Heroes’ seeks help during holidays

Posted

‘Support Our Heroes’ again reaches out to neighbors and supporters for donations and support during the on-going holiday season.

The story of ‘Support Our Heroes’ on their website begins in 2004 when United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant Luis A. Mercado, Jr. was deployed to Iraq and served his country for 12 years. This was the time of the Iraq War.

During his time in Iraq, Sgt. Mercado, Jr. sent word back home to his mother, Luz Mercado, and asked her if she would send care packages for his fellow platoon members who did not receive anything from back home. Though costly, Mercado sent the care packages.

After sending those packages, Mercado thought to herself if there was any way she could do more for the troops overseas. The idea of the not for profit ‘Support Our Heroes’ soon came after. “As far as sending items, I send whatever’s needed that they cannot find on their end,” Mercado said. “What I’m asking for is from the public to see how they could help or donate.”

Since 2004, Mercado said she has adopted two to three platoons at a time in the last 17 years. She adopts another new platoon after one platoon returns. Mercado and her husband Luis Mercado, Sr. work out of their home garage to create the care packages that will be sent out for the soldiers. Closer to home, Mercado said she had previously adopted two platoons from her hometown of New Windsor last year in June. Members from both platoons lost their lives from explosions in Afghanistan. Both platoons had only been there a month.

Even with COVID, Mercado continues to remind others that the military personnel must not be forgotten. “I made a promise that if he came back home safely then I would continue this foundation until everyone came home,” Mercado said. Several soldiers from various platoons that Mercado has adopted have come to her, delivering flags or mementos of their service but ultimately thanking her for what she did for them.

Typical care packages include food, drinks, toiletries and other basic items that soldiers may not find overseas included in these care packages for them. “We do make a difference in their lives when they receive that package,” Mercado said.

Mercado continues to reach out every year, every day to her community and neighbors to donate supplies, funds, anything that can help to support our military. She can be reached via email at supportheroes@aol.com. More information on ‘Support Our Heroes can be found at supportourheroes.today.