United States Marine Corps Major Erik Orient knows first hand what it's like to receive care packages from friends, family and strangers back home.
While stationed overseas, Orient received so many care packages he couldn't even open the door to his room.
"I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing," Orient said to the students in Alpha Chi Sigma fraternity Tuesday night as he read from a thank you letter he wrote after receiving all of the care packages.
The co-ed chemistry fraternity is currently collecting goods to put in gift bags that it will send to the unit it supports, which is stationed in Afghanistan. The care packages will include decks of playing cards, hand sanitizer and magazines among other things.
To begin the collection, which will continue through the end of the semester, United States Navy Lieutenant Jesse Humphries and Orient spoke to the fraternity about science and technology in the military. Humphries spoke to the students about working on a submarine and the new technologies within the Navy.
"I love submarines," Humphries said. "Best job in the navy, bar-none."
He told the students about the latest in weapon technology, including stealth weaponry that can barely be detected and ships that can travel up to top classified speeds. He also showed videos of what the Navy is doing to help the general public, such as creating a new prosthetic arm that operates like one's own arm.
"That's absolutely crazy," Humphries said. "Like something out of scientific fiction."
Orient spoke to the students about improvised explosive devices (IED) and how dangerous they are because of how easily hidden they can be.
He showed a picture of a
typical street in Iraq, and students pointed out where on the street an IED could be hidden -- there were five different spots.
He spoke of various ways the soldiers are trying to protect themselves against these weapons and how difficult it can be. Aviance Carter, who is pledging Alpha Chi Sigma fraternity, said she thought it was a good idea to have the military members come speak to them and found it interesting, particularly the part about the prosthetic arm.
"That was weird," Carter (sophomore- premedicine) said.
During the program, Melissa Harkavy passed out bright index cards for students to write 'thank you's' to the troops that will be sent along with their care packages.
"It's the one way we can give back," Harkavy (sophomore-geology) said. She added that she has a very close friend in the Marines and she knows these packages mean a lot to them.
"I finally found something I can do to help and it's very empowering," Harkavy said.
