ABOUT US
The idea for Cool Marines began in March of 2006 when my son Adam Galvez deployed to Iraq with the Marine Corps. It was a stressful and difficult time. I became consumed with Adam’s deployment, which is quite normal for parents whose kids are at war. One afternoon I attended a support the troops event and came across another Marine mom who was raising money to send cooling ties and cooling caps to her son’s unit in Iraq. Since Iraq reaches 140 degrees in the summer, I thought that was a project I could get behind.
After gleaning as much information from the more experienced Marine mom, I set out to start my own little project. I bought the cooling sets, packed them is gallon sized baggie with some snacks and other food items. I sent about 25 bags in a large box to my son in Iraq to share with his buddies. The cooling sets were a hit and the requests came for more, and more we sent! We got the community involved and soon found that people were eager to help. We found that people were very supportive of the military. When we gave them a way to show their support, the war and success of the troops became more personal to them since they were now participating on the home front.
On August 20, 2006 I looked out my front window and saw two Marines approaching my front door. My son had been killed by an IED. I had the normal apprehension of my son being at war and it had totally consumed my thoughts everyday, but I never even entertained the thought that he might not return.
Following my son’s death Cool Marines picked up momentum. Even when I felt like it was time to let it go, someone else would step and keep it going. Our biggest boost came when the American Legion featured “The Adam Galvez Story” as the cover story of the Memorial Day issue American Legion Magazine in 2007.
We now have support from across the nation and send care packages to Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan. monthly, as well as supporting wounded servicemen and women here at home.
In 2008, my home church of Calvary Chapel Salt Lake began a military support ministry. I joyfully head that up and base most of Cool Marines operations from there. As our support for the troops has continued, we launched our newest project, which we proudly call “Encouragement Kits”. This kit is meant for spiritual and emotional encouragement – to let the servicemen and women know that God loves them and knows the difficulties they face, and that we are praying for them.
It is a joy to continue to serve our troops from the home front. We will continue as long as God provides and as long as there is a need. It is the faithful volunteers and donors who allow us to continue, as well as those who support us from within the military,
I miss my son Adam dearly, but God has worked wonders in the lives of many, including my own, since the time of his death. I believe we will continue to see God’s hand in our lives as we continue this journey.
Cool Marines operates in conjunction with the Healing Field Foundation, a 501 (c) 3, Non-profit foundation. All donations are tax deductible