May 17, 2009 – 5 East

Armed Forces Weekend

Brenda
and Jean had it ALL under control on Armed Forces Day weekend!

May
turned into one of “those” months with all kinds of Murphy’s
Law and Semper Gumbiness going on for ALL of us. I knew way in advance
that I wouldn’t be able to go to Bethesda this month, and then unexpected family
and work things came up for some of the other Crew members and they
couldn’t go either. Baby showers, weddings, funerals, last minute
out-of-town company, late night emergency room visits, unscheduled
calls in to work… So what do you do?

Adapt
and Overcome! OOH RAH!

Early
in the week Deb checked the supplies and made sure everything in
the supply box was good to go. Then she and Jean shopped a few days
ahead of time and ordered sandwich platters from Sam’s to be picked
up the evening before to save prep time. The gift bags were put
together by Jean, encouragement notes printed out by Gladys and
sent by way of Bob. Brenda borrowed her son’s truck since the SUV
and the wagon weren’t going, met Jean at her house, loaded it up
and headed out for theNavalHospital…

I’ll
let Brenda’s AAR take over from
here….

Well Jane you would be absolutely amazed!
I arrived at Jean’s about 8:20 am. YES, On Time! Having Kevin’s
truck made things so easy! With my anal-retentive packing,
we were able to load everything with no problem. We got
to Bethesda and set up with
no problem.

Bob and Jean are wonderful! I am
so scattered most times but they really kept me going. And
you’re right, Bob was fantastic taking on the Smoothies. Deb,
you’d be real proud!

Jean kept me as organized and on
task as one could possibly do and got things rolling. I
went to the nurses’ station to let them know when we were set up
and ready for the OIF/OEF families. Mike, I believe the head Dr.
or Nurse, was wonderful!!

We were able to enjoy the company of
a couple of wives who also were able to enjoy some companionship
with one another. One woman was with her in-laws whom I believe
are from Hawaii. Their son
was unable to come but we made sure they took plenty back to the
room for him and themselves. We gave the wife and mom a gift
bag, and Dad and Mom a t-shirt. The other wife was also given
a gift bag and I gave her the last quilt. I also helped her carry
the stuff back to the room.

The picture of the 3 flags outside the
room (California) was for a patient who was unable
to come up.

Actually there were several that couldn’t
come to the room so we made plates for them. One Dr. asked
us if we could and of course Jean and I were thrilled to do so.
We were really glad to know the Dr’s were making sure we knew they
were there.

After the patients and their families
were served, we invited non-combat patients, (retired Veterans or
their family members) and staff in, and I told Mike that it was
time for him to come get something to eat. He thanked me but
said he was fine. I believe Jean finally made him a plate.
It was about the time we were finished cleaning up that I went to
the station and told Mike we were leaving and that if he didn’t
start eating the plate of food Jean brought down to him I’d
have to start hand feeding him myself.

In my opinion, which may be different
than my two very organized and together partners, everything went
wonderful. Well, until I got lost trying to find my sons
truck!! Something we will not be telling him! (Uh oh, Brenda …)

As I finally came out of the garage I
saw Bob heading toward the garage for a Search and Rescue!
To my credit, I did warn them I would meet them out front as long
as I didn’t get lost! I did manage to get a couple of really
nice pics on my adventure so I think
it was all pre-arranged!

I love the National Navy Medical picture.

I should have taken a couple more pics of the box I made for Armed Forces Day.

The quilted Flag is in the day room across
the hall.

(Click on the picture to see a larger
version of it. It’s awesome!)

The Land of the Free flag was mine that I taped to the door, and I’m not
sure if you can make out my table cloth but it’s covered with
stars and angels holding flags.

The photo of all of us is to the left
of the nurses’ station. I wanted to get a picture of the frame behind
us. The next time we go I am going to take the time to write
down the words this young man wrote, a former patient. I told
Jean and Bob they had to read it! They, like me, got chills
when they read it! It’s incredible! Be sure to read
it when you go the next time.

Well that’s about it.

Blessings & Hugs,

Brenda

**********

The
framed picture behind Brenda, Jean and Bob has a sign that a wounded
Navy SEAL posted on his door when he was a patient at Bethesda Naval Hospital. I first saw it on BLACKFIVE in
November 2007 here
and there’s a picture of the orange poster that you can click on
to read what the SEAL wrote.

Many, many thanks to Deb, Jean, Brenda, Gladys and Bob for
their help with the May luncheon, and to the rest of the Crew for
your continued support, encouragement, suggestions and advice.

Thank
you’s and HUGE HUGS also go out to our
Wonderful Supporters – Karen, Ann and Friends, Judy and Friends,
Amy and Friends, Chris, MCL Choptank
Detachment and Friends, Bayside Quilters, Hooks and Needles for
Our Troops, Embroidery Friends, and so many others, and Elfs
across the country who help us do what we do. I’ll be updating the
Supporter’s page asap.

If
you would like to help out too, Marine Moms-Bethesda is holding
a quilt raffle to raise funds for future luncheons. We have luncheons
scheduled each month for the rest of the year and will be rotating
between 5 East and Mercy Hall. You can see Navy Wife Chris’ beautiful
handiwork and find out more about the raffle at the following link:

http://www.marinemoms-bethesda.org/quiltraffle/index.html

Continued prayers for our military and their families.

Thank
you for serving our country!

Until
next time,