L.Cpl. Eric A. Palmisano, was an amazing young man. He was only 27 years old when he was killed, and his whole life was waiting for him upon his return from Iraq, including his fiancé Claire. Eric had only been in the Marine Corps for 13 months, including boot camp training, and had been in Iraq for only 2 months. During that time he became a proud, exemplary Marine, and he followed in the proud tradition of a family of Marines, with his grandfather, his uncle and his cousin having been Marines before him.

Palmisano Care Package Project

http://www.palmisanocarepackageproject.com/index.htm

A mother remembers her son by sending care packages overseas.
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/video.aspx?id=382113
What started off as a small basement project has turned into something greater.

Bobbie Samme started sending care packages to her son, Lieutenant Corporal Eric Palmisano, while he served in Iraq. He was killed in action on April 2, 2006. After his death, Samme decided to remember her son by sending as many care packages as possible to troops overseas.

“We took a tragedy and we turned it into a triumph,” said Samme. “Eric’s loss is the saddest thing that could ever happen to any parent, to lose a child. But something good has to come from it. Something good has to happen because of what Eric did what he gave. So we want to give back now.”

Samme and her husband, Herb, started the Lieutenant Corporal Eric Palmisano Care Package Project, filling boxes with everything from Ramen noodles and deodorant to Bibles. They receive thank you letters from troops almost daily.

“They’re so appreciative, especially when people get them who don’t know you,” said care package project volunteer, Jennifer Loomis. “Everyone over here still cares so much. For a little community like Florence, to do what we’re doing is phenomenal.”

With the community donating their goods, time, and money, 944 care packages have been sent since May 2006. Samme hopes to get that total up to 1,000 by the end of the 2009.