Major Chuck Kilbride, as he has done for too many years to remember, was at the helm of this year's Toys for Tots kick off celebration held at the Oyster Bay Golf Course.

Dignitaries crowded the room to support the marvelous Marine program. To name just a few United States Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, New York State Lieutenant Governor Mary Donahue, New York State Senators Carl Marcellino and Kemp Hannon, Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell and Town of Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes.

However, the most poignant speech of the afternoon was delivered by the father of the Toys for Tots 2004 honoree lst Lt. Matthew Lynch, USMC, who was killed in action on Oct. 31 in Iraq.

He said that his son was a dedicated officer who put the lives of 'his boys' ahead of his own. His dad spoke about the fact that Lynch returned home, but when he heard that one of his fellow platoon leaders had been injured and could not continue leading his platoon, Matt returned to Iraq to take over his buddy's group. It was because of this kind of heroism that Matt was honored.

His dad added that he so loved children that it was only fitting that he be honored by a group of Marines that have given so much joy to so many children since 1947 when Toys for Tots was founded.

Major Kilbride turned to Matt's dad and said, "Matt will never be forgotten because Marines never forget."

Toys for Tots was started by Major Bill Hendricks in 1947, with the support of members of his Los Angeles Marine Corps unit, when he collected and distributed 5,000 toys for needy children. Hendricks program was so successful that in 1948 the Marine Corps adopted it and expanded it nationwide as the U. S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program. In the intervening years, Marines have conducted 57 successful campaigns, collecting and distributing more than 220,000,000 toys.

Marine Corps units located throughout the nation conduct toy collection and distribution campaigns in the communities near their centers. Last year, on Long Island alone, 500,000 toys were collected and distributed to needy children.

Major Kilbride also pointed out that local business leaders play a key role by allowing Marines to locate collection receptacles in their store by providing free warehouse space during Oct, Nov. and Dec. for sorting and storing toys; by providing vehicles to collect toys from collection sites; by sponsoring toys and fund raising events; and by helping Marines receive maximum media exposure for Toys for Tots.