Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif. -- Imagine you are a young Marine or sailor, thousands of miles away from home and you learn a loved one has passed away … having the money to fly home, take care of funeral arrangements and having money left to take care of yourself may seem impossible.
During this time of loss and grieving, the last thing anyone one wants is added financial stress. Thankfully, eligible Marines and sailors may seek financial help through the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
The purpose of the NMRS is basically to assist Marines and sailors who are financially unstable, said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Daniel Arcentales, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow’s NMRS representative.
“I was a private first class stationed in Okinawa when I found out my mother had passed away in Tennessee,” explained Amanda Smith, contract specialist here and prior active duty Marine. “She was my only parent and my brother was a minor at the time … I didn’t know how I was going to afford travel expenses and funeral arrangements while supporting myself and my brother.”
Smith further explained she would have been faced with more than $9,000 to pay out of pocket; her command directed her to the NMRS for help.
“The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society gave me an interest free loan to travel home and take care of my brother, they also paid for most of the funeral costs,” Smith added. “As a lance corporal and private first class, I would have never been able to do it without them (NMRS) … they took really good care of me.”
The NMRS does more than simply provide loans to active duty Marines, said Arcentales. The society provides financial management classes to Marines and their families, nursing classes for families with newborns, Combat Casualty Assistance Visiting Nurse Program (registered nurses provide in-home care for wounded warriors who were injured in Iraq or Afghanistan), classes for families about caring for wounded warriors and interest-free loans for emergencies.
Active duty and retired Marines and sailors and their spouses are all eligible, said Arcentales. Any Marine or sailor, regardless of time in service, is eligible for the casualty assistance.
“The majority of cases I see are for moving expenses, vehicle maintenance, and financial help to feed families,” Arcentales added.
Eligibility and repayment plans are a case-by-case basis, he said. If a Marine or sailor needs help, Arcentales encourages them to see him.
“Everything we talk about remains confidential,” Arcentales said. “Come into my office with all your bills … we will fill out a detailed budget and go from there.”
He further explained all the money for the NMRS comes from donations; that being said, Gunnery Sgt. Chad Webb, personnel chief here, along with other base personnel, have been coordinating myriad events around the community to raise money.
To raise money this year, Security and Emergency Services here have been collecting money at the front gate, there have been different food and bake sales going on, snacks sales to motorcyclists, a golf tournament, and a 5K run, explained Webb.
“A lot of the motorcyclists we sold snacks to were prior service members … they were happy to donate and very appreciative (of the society),” Webb added.
So far, approximately $7,500 has been raised this year, said the Johnson City, N.Y. native.
“The turnouts for the events have been good and the community of Barstow has been extremely supportive … they’re the ones making it all happen,” Webb explained. “Contributions have been steadily coming in.”
He encourages people to donate when they can … the society is much more than what a lot of people think.
“At first I thought it (the NMRS) was just another organization asking for money … however, I realized the importance after seeing real life situations of how much the society can help Marines in need,” Webb said. “They do a lot more than what I thought; from helping Marines (or sailors) financially to helping wounded warriors medically.”