Nov. 2009 – 5 East

We extend our deepest condolences to the
Soldiers and their families at Fort
Hood.

 

Operation
Homefront has established an “Emergency Tragedy Fund”
for the families of the injured and deceased Soldiers if you would
like to help.

===============================================================

 

 

 

Sally,
a friend of Deb and Robin’s and a new Luncheon Crew member, had been
on the waiting list since May to attend the November luncheon with
us. As the date got closer, she offered to host the food prep at her
house and Deb assured me that Sally’s kitchen would be the perfect
place to work in.

 

It was!
And when I saw the “thingamagig” plaque on her kitchen counter…. Well…
=)

 

After
we did the shopping, Robin met us at Sally’s and we knocked out the
food prep in a few hours, went out to eat, and then Sally and I stuffed
the gift bags when we got back.

 

 

 

 

 

We woke
up Sunday morning to an absolutely beautiful autumn day and the mouth-watering
smell (well, maybe not – it was 6 AM – kinda weird smelling barbecue
at 6 AM) of pulled pork barbecue in the crock pots and then… a little
later, Jim rescued the mac and cheese before the smoke alarm went
off.Okaaaay, so next time
we know that the two casseroles full are really three casseroles full.

 

======

 

A week
and a half before the luncheon a friend emailed me to say her neighbor’s
husband had been injured and might be at Bethesda
when we were there, could we keep an eye out for them?

 

About
midweek before the luncheon someone else sent me a list of names to
be on the lookout for.

 

=====

 

As we
pulled up in front of the hospital, a man was getting ready to walk
into the hospital. He asked us if we needed any help. He was most
definitely a civilian so I asked if he was the dad of a combat patient
there and he said yes. Turned out he was with the group of guys on
the list of names. He helped us take things up to 5 East. We met some
other family members of guys from that group, too.

 

April’s
friend came in to say hello to us quickly. She was on the way to…
a WEDDING! Yes!!! In the hospital chapel! Awesome! We wish the Bride
and Groom ALL the best!

 

=====

 

After
all of the times we have taken over Deb and Scott’s kitchen for the
weekend Scott joined us for the first time this month and saw firsthand
what the luncheons are all about.

 

He even
brought his guitar and played for a little bit. Sitting back in the
“cubby hole” made the music and his voice sounds really good… but
then he *always* sounds really good.

 

 

 

The really
nice thing about Scott being there was that we had someone who could
talk “guy talk” with the Marine from Maine
that Elizabeth and I had met in October…

 

AND… he
knew what channel the football game was on – fixed the one up in the
luncheon room to it and also the one in the day room.

 

We were
busy.

 

There
was lots of food.

 

 

 

When I
asked a Marine’s wife who has been at the hospital for quite awhile
with her husband, if there was anything they needed or that we could
do for them, she said that just having the food there was enough,
it was so nice to have “real” food, that a change from the that cafeteria
food and fast food is very much appreciated.

 

One of
the staff members came in towards the end and asked Sally for the
macaroni and cheese recipe, said it was almost like what her mom used
to make.

 

One of
the Dads said being there has opened his eyes to the support of different
organizations that help the wounded, and that once things settle down
he plans to become involved with some of them.

 

The smallest
show of appreciation and support is very much appreciated by these
families and their Loved Ones.

 

 

Someone
came into the room and said he could smell the food as soon as he
stepped off the elevator.

 

 

Robin’s
Chicken Chili. Good stuff!

 

Lots of
niftie gifties:

 

 

 

Thank
you Sally, Scott, Deb, and Robin for a really great luncheon!

 

Thank
you, Janet and the note writers, for the encouragement notes!

 

Thank
you to everyone who helps
make the luncheons happen!

 

We couldn’t do it without each and every one of you!

 

=====

 

We are
now gearing up for “Holiday
Cheer at Bethesda”!

 

=====

 

Until
next time, continued prayers for our military and their families,

and especially
for the families who will have an empty chair at their Thanksgiving
table this year and those who are so far away from home serving our
country.

 

http://www.cpmsglife2.org/MSG/Pres/td/td1.html

(Hat tip
Jan, Rick, and Jim.)

 

More below
my signature.

 

 

Love and
Hugs,

 

 

===========

 

Happy
News for us just in time for Christmas shopping!

 

Marine
Moms Bethesda has a new “Elf”.

 

Rich and
Sandy have a wonderfully delightful cookbook

 

Cooking
from the Farm to the City

 

If you
mention Marine Moms-Bethesda when ordering, Rich and Sandy Allison
will credit Marine Moms-Bethesda for the sale and we will receive
the sales commission from the book sale.

 

Jim told
me it was the best cookbook I would ever see and he was right!

 

I am sure
you will be pleased with this fine cookbook!

 


 

 

Thank
you SO much, Rich and Sandy!

 

====

 

Would
you like to support the troops?

 

Let’s Say Thanks!It’s free – let them know you care! (Hat tip
Robin.)

 

Or head
on over toSoldier’s Angels
and adopt a service member. Right now as I write, they have 1608 Heroes
awaiting adoption.

 

You could
also ask around among your co-workers and friends and family – they
may know someone deployed who would love some letters or care packages
from home.

Mail is
the biggest morale booster there is.

 

Or email
us a note of support for the combat wounded to take with us when we
go back to Mercy Hall on December 3rd.

We will need the emailed notes by Saturday night,
November 28, 2009.

 

notes4bethesda@marinemoms-bethesda.org

 

Thanks!

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