During Cpl. Armondo Ellis's second tour with the Marines, this one in Iraq, Brownie Troop 40125 out of Lincoln Avenue adopted him.
The girls, who were Daisies at the time, collected three boxes of items to send him, including wipes, toothbrushes, shaving cream, razors and a Yankees t-shirt. And, of course, Girl Scout cookies.
Last week Ellis came to Pearl River to meet the Troop 40125, answering the girls' questions, playing games with them and expressing his gratitude for their support.
"I've been wanting to show my appreciation," Ellis said. "It was really cool. I tried to express to them how much it really meant to get a care package from home. They sent a whole package of stuff to me and the guys in my platoon. It is always good to get stuff like that when you are so far from home.
"It was so good to just meet them in person."
"It was truly an experience of a lifetime for these girls -- one they will never forget," said Troop Leader Caroline Reichert.
Ellis is a reservist stationed out of Brooklyn with the Sixth Communications Battalion. He had also served a tour in Afghanistan before the one in Iraq and continues to train. He is also a New York City Firefighter in the Bronx with Ladder 29. He serves there with Anthony Gazzara, the husband of Troop Co-Leader Doreen Gazzara.
Ellis brought Navy officer Tim Austin, who works with NYFD Engine 83 (the same house as Ellis). They explained their different roles in the military.
"They asked me stuff like where I get my uniforms. Is it comfortable?" Ellis said. "What is the difference between the Marine Corps and the Navy. What was my job in the military."
Ellis is a driver in the Marines, operating a variety of trucks.
The girls presented Ellis with a Pearl River Pirates t-shirt and a coffee mug with a picture of their troop on it.
He said that just hearing from people back home is a big help when stationed in a place so different from the United States.
"You are so disconnected from your home environment, stuff you used to do," Ellis said. "To get in contact with somebody from home, who speaks the same language and can relate to things back home (means a lot)."
