BROOMFIELD, Colo. — A teenager in Broomfield offered his thanks to the military on Veteran’s Day by packing items familiar to American homes, and sending them to sailors overseas.
Aiden Carillo, 13, and his friends volunteered to box 150 care packages for sailors on board the USS Donald Cook.
Inside the Broomfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9565 building, they stuffed the boxes with everything from toiletries to Goldfish crackers.
"It actually makes me feel really good because it shows that people care and they want to do this for other people,” Carillo said.
His brother is currently serving with U.S. Navy in Spain. Carillo started sending packages two years ago as a way to thank his brother and others serving overseas.
“Most of my family has been in the military,” he said. “They've done great things. It's changed their lives. It just means a lot to me.”
In August, Denver7 talked with Carillo and his mother, Michell Carrillo, who said she is very proud of her youngest son.
“It makes my heart swell with pride because he's actually doing something to help people,” she said. “They don't get the recognition they need.”
As a member of the youth leadership group DeMolay, Carillo has inspired others to help out with this cause. Members, like Randy Rask, have also been caught up in Carillo’s mission.
”We’re lucky to be able to help the young men do what they need to do,” Rask said.
On Veteran's Day, Carillo said he wants to send a message to the men and women far from home defending our country.
"Thank you for your service, and you're not forgotten," he said.