August 22, 2010 – 5 East

Thanksgiving

August?

Why not?!

Sunday’s crew members put together
a fabulous luncheon for the patients and families on 5 East!Turkey, ham, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes,
green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, biscuits and honey,
cornbread and jalapeño jelly, fresh fruit, chips and dip, cheese and
crackers, salad, cookies and cupcakes, smoothies, sodas, and bottled
water made for a great Thanksgiving meal in August!

Another group met us there
to help with the luncheon and pass out t-shirts so they filled the
pantry bags while Susie, Elizabeth, Lew and Stephanie were setting
up the buffet.

Pantry bags, cameras, pillowcases,
encouragement notes, and Logan’s
lollipops along with the t-shirts were handed out when the families
or patients came out of the room. Quilts from “Quilts of Valor” were
distributed by Susie. The girls made sure all of the patients were
given a t-shirt. Lots of smiles and “thank you’s”!

“T-shirts 4 Troops” came about
when NNMC Red Cross volunteers Lauren, Shavani and Karishma decided
they wanted to “bring some color” to the hospital wards at Bethesda. They raised the money to buy the shirts
and supplies and tie-died the shirts themselves.

Lauren’s Mom, Dad and brother
came along to help the girls hand

them out.

Once we began serving everyone
stayed very busy. This was Marine Mom Stephanie’s first visit with
us. She and Elizabeth took some take out boxes down to the Marines
in the Liaison office, went up to 7 East to invite the patients down
for lunch, and took the leftover pantry bags over to Mercy Hall for
the guys and gals there. Leftovers from the meal went into the pantry
on 5 East for families and patients to help themselves to after we
left.

We saw “old friends” – parents
and wives who have been there with their sons the last two or three
times we have been on 5 East. We made some new friends who will be
there when we go back again in September.

“Thanksgiving” doesn’t have
to be in November.

Every day brings the opportunity
to give thanks.

I’m thankful for the unconditional
support the volunteers and the “Elfs” who provide time and funds for
the luncheons, for the continuing recovery of the troops we meet,
and for our military who believe in our country enough to take the
Oath to defend it.

Sunday’s luncheon crew included
Elizabeth, Lew, Stephanie, Susie, Karishma, Lauren, Connie, Logan,
Rob, and Jane.

Thank you!

Job Well Done!

Marine Moms-Bethesda is gearing
up for “Holiday Cheer at Bethesda”.

We will be collecting Christmas
and holiday cards from across the country, local “Elfs” will be baking
cookies, and there will be stockings to hand out at our December “Holiday
Cheer” luncheon.

More information coming soon!

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

Love and Hugs,

The website the logo below is linked to
has good information on it for ALL branches of service and for wounded
Warriors, active duty, Reserves and Veterans and their families.

You do NOT have to have gone through the
military hospitals or the Wounded Warrior Regiments and Transition
units to use the resources at this site. From their website:

“WWCTP serves the needs of wounded, ill,
injured (WII) and transitioning
servicemembers by developing policy to ensure every WII servicemember
receives the best support possible and
every servicemember reintegrating to civilian life is prepared to succeed.” (Italics are mine.)