From the commonwealth to the front lines, the necessities of war have arrived.
Tactical gear donated by Virginia law enforcement agencies and collected by Attorney General Jason Miyares has reached Israel, where it is being distributed to civilians and first responders near Gaza, according to Bob Marcellus, who helped organize efforts to gather and send the surplus equipment.
Tactical gear provided by Virginia law enforcement agencies is shown upon its arrival in Israel.
Around 12,000 pounds of tactical vests, helmets and other gear have “hit the ground,” Marcellus said, and are being handed out to “civilian first responders and … moms guarding (village) perimeters due to men being called up.”
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Those on the receiving end say the gear is already making a difference.
Jenilee Bader-Ben-Shimon, 69, a U.S. Navy veteran who was stationed in Virginia for decades before she retired from military service and took a job with the city of Virginia Beach, lives in one of the Israeli villages and confirmed to the Times-Dispatch that residents have started receiving shipments of the supplies earlier this week.
Tactical gear donated by Virginia law enforcement agencies is shown upon its arrival in Israel.
“Everyone was smiling,” Bader-Ben-Shimon said, adding that the community wanted to personally “thank Virginia,” Miyares and Marcellus for their work.
Some of the packages included personal letters from Virginia law enforcement officials expressing their solidarity with Israelis.
This letter, sent from the the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office to the recipients of a package containing tactical gear, wishes the recipients well in what it calls their “fight against evil.”
“Please accept these gifts from the Lancaster County … Sheriff’s Office,” read a note from Lancaster Sheriff Patrick McCranie. “May they provide comfort and protection as you go about serving your citizens during this most difficult time.”
The vests that Bader-Ben-Shimon’s community received came from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Marcellus said, emphasizing that the project is not just about supporting Israel, but also about supporting Virginians abroad.
It is “by Virginians, and for Virginians,” Marcellus said.
And Marcellus noted that the generosity has persisted. Southern Police Equipment in Midlothian has continued to donate entire pallets of equipment, Virginia Tech students have volunteered to shuttle the gear to and from locations across the state and cargo space on Israel-bound flights has been provided for free, Marcellus said.
This screenshot taken from a video taken outside an Israeli airport shows an IDF reservist and civilian first responder in charge of village security wearing a donated vest, with the words “Henry County Sheriff’s Office” written on the back.
He called the network of participants an “impressive global supply chain, from Virginia to the front lines.”
Marcellus also credited Miyares for reaching out to Virginia sheriffs and police departments, and for enlisting the help of other states. Due to Miyares’ efforts, Marcellus said, Nevada and other states had provided tactical vests for shipment to Israel.
“They’re all taking Jason (Miyares’) letter (requesting surplus tactical gear), and saying ‘lets do this,’” Marcellus said.
Tactical gear is shown after its arrival in Israel. Bob Marcellus said this stack was delivered to the village in which Jenilee Bader-Ben-Shimon, a former Virginia resident, lives and helps as a medic.
“Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Virginia’s law enforcement community, nonprofits, and Richmond’s local Jewish community, the shipments of excess protective equipment has arrived in Israel for distribution to civilian first responders and kibbutzim deemed the most in need,” Miyares said in a statement to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Israel and Hamas on Wednesday agreed to a four-day ceasefire meant to provide respite to civilians in Gaza and to facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt helped broker the deal, which also will allow for increased humanitarian aid to flow into war-stricken Gaza.
Gazan health officials have said more than 11,000 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes since Oct. 7, the day that Hamas militants killed at least 1,200 people in Israel and abducted around 240 people.
Israeli officials said the ceasefire is temporary, but can be extended by one day for every 10 hostages released by Hamas. The Israeli Defense Forces are expected to resume their Gaza campaign once the ceasefire ends, officials have said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.