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"The event is wonderful, it's great, and we wish that the troops could also be here," said Brian Gordon of Oakton, Va. "We salute them for standing up for America, putting their life and limbs in jeopardy."
He joined his grandson, Aden McGlynn, 6, and son-in-law, Matt McGlynn, a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, at the tent to participate in Operation Care Package, an effort to send more than 5,000 care packages to American military members deployed overseas.
The United Services Organization, Inc. (USO), a government-sanctioned nonprofit that has provided support to U.S. troops for nearly 70 years, and Lockheed Martin, a global security company headquartered in Bethesda with facilities in Gaithersburg, sponsored the effort.
Lockheed Martin, now in its second consecutive year as a corporate sponsor, joined the 2008 tournament three weeks before the event, said Tracey Carter Dougherty, spokeswoman. This year, aiming to create a presence and give back, the company hosted a military pavilion behind the course's third green, where military ticket holders could enjoy free snacks and beverages — and partnered with the USO on the care package effort.
"What we find is that citizens really want to do something to help men and women overseas," said Dougherty. "And this is a very small and tangible way for them to do something that matters to the folks that receive the packages."
Pete and Mary Jones of Montgomery Village sent care packages. All it took was two minutes.
On entering a special tent filled with supplies paid for by Lockheed, the couple received a large Ziploc-like plastic bag. They toured the tent, stopping at bins full of goodies from a camouflage travel kit filled with toiletries, to pre-moistened towelettes, titanium razors and Q-tips, to drink mixes and other sundries, including specially made red, white and blue USO SweetTarts.
"I'm a pro-military man," said Pete Jones, who grew up during the Vietnam War and said he was grateful that by and large U.S. troops are treated with dignity returning home from the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"One day, I'm going to be in the army," said 5-year-old Isiah Ramirez of Fairfax, Va. who drew a flag and soldier to accompany the note he planned to include in a care package. He attended the golf tournament with his father, Army Maj. Jose Ramirez, who works at the Pentagon, mother Maria and sister, Katia, 7. The Tiger Woods Foundation donated 30,000 free tournament tickets for military members and their families, allowing the Ramirezes to come, Maria Ramirez said.
Marine Capt. Andrew Snyder, who returned from a deployment to Iraq in April 2008 and is now stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Quantico, Va. said he watched tournament host Tiger Woods play several holes, then headed straight to "the chow tent" for snacks.
"It's generous of him," said Snyder, of Woods' decision to allow military members and children into the event free, adding "I'm not in the Marine Corps for free tickets…"
