Deployed Airmen replace money stolen from little girls in Georgia

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sheila deVera
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) --  Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron here collected $160 April 14 to replace money stolen from three girls in Warner Robins, Ga.

Capt. Charles Marquez, the 455th EAPS Air Terminal Operation Center officer in charge, read an article about how the girls setup a lemonade stand to raise money for one of the girl's ill cousin. The article went on to say, while trying to raise money for the medical expenses, a male and female stole the money from the stand.

Moved by the story, the captain printed the article and distributed it to his co-workers.

"Everybody in the section, without having any second thoughts, started donating money," Captain Marquez said.

With help from Tech. Sgt. Ladell Moss, a 455th EAPS assistant duty officer, Captain Marquez was able to raise the amount stolen from the girls within 24 hours.

"After the captain read the article to me, I felt angry at the people for doing this to the little girls who were just trying to do something good," Sergeant Moss said.

As they went around the section collecting donations, they found the story touched a lot of hearts, and the Airmen did not hesitate to contribute to the cause.

"As a mother of three, the article broke my heart," said Cynthia Bland, a 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron movement control specialist. "I just want them to know that not everyone is bad and not everybody is going to take from you."

As Captain Marquez prepared to wire the money, his office prepared two flags to be flown over Afghanistan, one for the ill cousin and one for the girls and a special message.

"Not everyone in this world is bad," explained Sergeant Moss. "There are good people out there that will help you out, even if you are a complete stranger."