A VERY IMPORTANT MISSION

Secret Agent Pepper Parker was curled up on a swing
at Beaufort Waterfront Park, catching a few rays and
enjoying a snooze when his pants started vibrating!
Being a quick-witted tomcat, he knew immediately that the
vibration in his pocket meant very good news or some very,
very bad news. Only his agent at Military Intelligence Center
(MICE) knew the number of his encrypted cell phone.

Pulling the phone out of his pocket, he hurried to an isolated
spot to take the call. He flipped it open and listened:

“Give me the code word,” the voice at the other end of the line
demanded. “Mickey Mouse,” replied the nervous tomcat.

“Okay, MICEMAN, here’s the situation.” the voice said. “We
have a crisis on our hands and it involves a critical group — the
children of the world!

1. Santa Claus has gotten so fat he can’t fit into the sleigh.
He fell off his roof while trying to fix his TV antenna and
now he’s afraid of heights.

2. The elves have been lazy and haven’t made any Christmas
toys. On top of that, their toy-making equipment is
broken.

3. The reindeer have gone absent without leave (AWOL)!

4. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is sick in quarters (SIQ).
Not a red nose in sight.

5. Santa’s sleigh is broken.

“The U.S. military is busy in other places and we’ve decided to
give this mission to you, MICEMAN; with the expectation that
you’ll get the job done. Is that a correct assumption?” The voice
asked. Secret Agent Parker said a prayer, took a deep breath
and purred “Roger that sir!”

The tomcat knew that he was going to need a lot of help if he
was going to save Christmas for the children. Where would
he begin? Who to call? What to do? The list got longer and
longer... the clock was already ticking...

At that very moment, Young Marine Private First Class Chester,
bulldog mascot of The Young Marines, was taking his morning
run through the park. He noticed Pepper was looking worried,
so he offered to help.

Pepper thought a moment and decided it would be alright
to tell Chester about the assignment because he was a very
important bulldog. After the tomcat revealed his mission,
Chester woofed, “No problem, little brother. I know just the
right people to help us out! Come with me.”

Pepper and Chester went straight to the Parris Island Young
Marines Unit Commander, Gunnery Sergeant Awesome

and told him about the mission. The gunny listened; his mouth
dropped open and he let out a low OOH-RAH!

“Why, that’s incredible!” he said. “Agent Parker if you need
the help of the Young Marines — we’re on board in a heart
beat! What can we do to help?”

Secret Agent Parker offered his paw to the gunny; Chester
added his paw and they began an incredible adventure.

YOUNG MARINES WOULD COME FROM THE NORTH
AND FROM THE SOUTH, FROM THE EAST AND FROM THE
WEST TO HELP SAVE CHRISTMAS!