Help send Twentynine Palms Marines home this Memorial Day weekend

American flags waved as a caravan of Coachella Valley volunteers drove in to Palm Springs carrying nearly 80 Marines from the Twenynine Palms Marine base.
All of them were ready to fly home.

“I fly out tomorrow. I can’t wait,” said Justin Garduque.

Kyle Pickles said, “Atlanta, Georgia is home. I can’t wait to go fishing with my friends.”

This Memorial Day weekend, Erica Stone is calling out an S.O.S, Soldiers Organized Service. The organization, based in La Quinta, says their soldiers are the local volunteers who provide a free ride for active-duty military men, women and their families.

“It was wonderful. It was a relief to not have to worry about a $100 cab fee,” said Pickles.

Since 2007, S.O.S has transported more than 39,000 Marines and Navy men. The goal is to establish an S.O.S station near every military base in the country, but the organization needs your help.

“This is something we do everyday. Especially during the holidays we need help, we’re transporting 100, 200 to 300 a day,” said Stone.

Volunteers say they enjoy providing a sense of family and support to those who call on them to ensure no Marine gets left behind any day of the year.

“It’s a good feeling to do something for them because they do so much for us,” said Mike McCormack, of Sun City Palm Desert.

“It’s great they take time out of their days and money to fill up their gas to pick us up,” said Pickles.

For a ride or how to volunteer, go to www.sosride.org