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Helping Marines in Iraq

Release Date July 22, 2004

Summary: Grandmother Ruby Sutterfield supports her grandson, a Marine in Iraq, any way she can – even buying him gear with her babysitting money. But would a big company like CHIEF be willing to help?

Lance Corporal Lonnie Sutterfield is stationed in Iraq with his unit, the USMC 5/11 R BRTY (GUNS). LCpl Sutterfield is on the top row, second from the left.


Mrs. Ruby Sutterfield had been contacting various companies in the public safety industry to try to get tactical apparel and other gear for her grandson's unit in Iraq. Lance Corporal Lonnie Sutterfield and his fellow Marines have served on the front lines, and recently returned to Iraq for a second tour of duty.

Mrs. Sutterfield's search – for equipment that she pays for and ships with money she earns from babysitting – eventually led her to CHIEF Operations Manager Marla Ingram.

For Marla, helping Mrs. Sutterfield and her grandson's unit was not just obvious, but personal. "I want our troops to know that we support what they do and the sacrifices they make," Marla said. "Those men and women out there fighting for us truly represent our freedom as Americans."

Tactical Apparel for a Tough Climate
The climate in Iraq is harsh and dry, with temperature extremes of blazing heat and deep chill. Many troops have endured severe skin problems, and could always use better skin protection as well as apparel that would be more wearable and comfortable in the extremes of the Iraqi climate.

After talking with John Utley, CHIEF's Director of Sales, Marla told Mrs. Sutterfield that CHIEF would help her provide her grandson and his unit with a full array of Under Armour Tactical Apparel. Under Armour's undershirts, socks and underwear are made of cutting-edge fabrics that help the skin eliminate heat and moisture in hot conditions. Lonnie and his fellow Marines will be receiving these Under Armour tactical garments:
  • Tactical Full T-Shirts
  • Tactical Long-Sleeve Pullovers
  • Compression Shorts
  • Boxer Briefs
  • Liner Socks

Pass the Hat

One of Lonnie's fellow soldiers relocated to the US from Guatemala after 9/11, so he could join the Marines and help in the fight against terrorism. Here he reads a letter written by a schoolchild in the US.


Marla let everyone in the office know what was going on. We passed the hat to throw in a few other things from CHIEF:
  • Fresh-Scent P.A.W.S. (Personal antimicrobial wipes)
  • Bottles of Antiseptic Bio-Hand Cleaner (hand sanitizer)
  • Disposable Cameras (so the troops can take pictures and send them home)
We also brought in a few "home comforts" that we'll send to Lance Corporal Sutterfield and his unit:
  • Doritos
  • "Mom's Cookies"
  • Candy
  • Lip Balm
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellant
  • Postcards from Oregon (where CHIEF's Eugene office is located)
  • Pictures of us and our families
  • Letters ("People need to know what it means to the big strong Marine to get mail from the little children that they do not even know," said Mrs. Sutterfield in an email to Marla.)

You Can Help Too
"Our account managers have customers in their fire and police departments who have personnel who are currently serving in Iraq," Marla said. "The officers back home have been asking what they can do for their men and women over there. This is something that anyone can do and set up – it's easy, and it makes a huge difference to the troops. We encourage all of the departments out there to continue to support our troops."