WDB team members adopt Army platoon in Iraq

The War on Terror hit home for Salvatore Monica last year when he found out that his friend Adam had been deployed to Iraq as part of U.S. military’s operation, Inherent Resolve.

Monica, a Business Service Representative for the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board (WDB), is from a family of veterans. His father, uncle and grandfather all served in the Armed Forces, and he often wondered how he could help.

The opportunity came when Adam, whose last name is being kept confidential to protect his identity, landed in an extremely dangerous military operation with his platoon. Halfway through the mission, Adam shared via email that long days and lonely nights were taking their toll on the platoon.

“Sal, and the America’s Job Center of California, then did something amazing that ended up boosting my platoon’s morale tenfold at a very much-needed time,” Adam says today, via email. “He organized a donation and got everyone in my platoon an outstanding package including some much needed supplies like razors and some other thoughtful items like homemade American jerky. The platoon was very grateful to the people involved in donating and adopting us. Big shout out to all of you at the America’s Job Center.”

For Monica, the donation was the least he could do.

“I’ve always been a big supporter of our veterans and so appreciative of the sacrifices they’ve made for all of us,” he says.

Working with his colleagues at the WDB’s Victorville office, the California Employment Development Department and several donors, he collected care packages for each of Adam’s platoon members. In all, three oversized boxes were shipped to Iraq.

“The response and support we got from the very beginning was incredible,” Monica says. “This could not have happened without their help and commitment.”

Among the private companies that contributed products: Starbucks, Q-Tips and Golden Dental in Victorville.

“It is our mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit- one person, one cup, one neighborhood at a time. This donation was a small way to give back to those who have served our country and done so much for us. We thank the veterans for their service,” read a group message from the Starbucks at 15327 Palmdale Road in Victorville.