Memorial Day is one day out of the year we honor those who have died in service to our country.
But a Midland County family is making sure their son's life that was lost in combat leaves a lasting impact year-round through care packages sent to soldiers overseas.
In 2011, Naval Corpsman Aaron Ullom's unit was ambushed in Afghanistan when he noticed his lieutenant had been injured. He ran to him, dragged the lieutenant into a trench and saved his life. Ullom, however, was killed in action.
In 2012, Ullom's family created a soldier care package service in his name called "Aaron's Gifts From Home". The family home was used to sort and pack donated items to send to soldiers overseas.
Aaron's father Kevin said he believes, through sending these packages, his son is still saving lives.
"A gentleman that we had sent a care package to, he sent us back a message that he was strongly contemplating suicide," Ullom explained. "When he saw that there were so many people that were sending things for him, that just made a total difference for him."
The goodie boxes are filled with personal care items, snacks, games or books and even Beanie Babies. Ullom said the soldiers sometimes make them their unit's mascot but most the time they use them to give to children they see overseas or to their own children when they return home.
After 13 years in operation, Aaron's Gifts From Home has grown so much, the family now gets help by volunteers to sort and stuff boxes.
With the expansion, the non-profit has now moved inside the Midland Mall.
"So far, we've sent out just under 16,000 care packages," Ullom said.
Ullom mentioned their next box stuffing event will be June 9 from 3-5 p.m. Donations can be dropped off at the Midland Mall.
Editor's note: If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
