June 27, 2010 – 5 East

The “Elfs” are up to something…. They suggested I add
this to our Supporter’s page…. Dunno why just yet…. But I do know that I have
the deepest respect for what Mr. Skypeck does for disabled Veterans,
for his service to our country,

and I love his artwork!

http://www.skypeck.com/skybio.htm

GEORGE L. SKYPECK®

Combat Artist

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

One of our luncheon volunteers sent
this to me after Sunday’s luncheon on 5 East.

“Down but
not Defeated!”

A familiar slogan used by those
who have been wounded. They
are definitely not defeated!!! The
same strength, courage, determination, and drive they used while in
the battle field is what is use as they push their bodies in recovery
and rehabilitation.

One Wounded Marine wrote this
after a recent return visit at Bethesda.

“Got to visit my boys in Richmond
Veterans Hospital, the Naval
Hospital in Bethesda,
and those transferred to Walter Reed. It was awesome to see them doing good and to be in such high
spirits. They are my HEROES! Their courage is
an example and inspiration to push the fight and keep going no matter
how tough it gets.”

It truly is an honor and privilege to help serve
the luncheons at Bethesda
5 East. It’s such a little
thing, but bringing home-cooked food for the Wounded, their families,
and for the staff that tirelessly tends our Heroes gives them a break
from institutional food.

The aroma of BBQ chicken instantly
brought folks to the conference room. One Warrior’s mom told me that
her son was so happy to have BBQ chicken and ate two pieces – he hadn’t
been eating very much all.

“Susie’s Smoothies” corner was hopping! She poured over 50 cups. Our Wounded Warriors love these cool soothing
treats. One mom’s son stated,
“. . . it sure beats drinking an Ensure.”

As one who has been a luncheon
volunteer, and then a recipient of the delicious food, goodie bags,
and the outpouring of love while my son was a patient, I say
THANK YOU for supporting Marine Moms-Bethesda.

Lew’s BBQ chicken

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

Back in March,
the son of two of our luncheon volunteers was wounded in action in
‘stan. The March luncheon page
is about the day we were there at the hospital and they were with
us, on the schedule to help with the luncheon months before he was
wounded.

Leading up to the
day of the luncheon, they kept me posted with the progress of his
journey back to the States – field hospital (a surgery) to Bagram
(a surgery) to Kandahar (another surgery) to Landstuhl (another surgery)
and finally, to Bethesda (several surgeries there). All of this within
6 days.

Mom and Dad stayed
after we left and waited for the medical transport to bring their
son and the other patients in later that evening.

When something
happens to a friend, it hits home even harder. The March luncheon
was one of the most touching ones, in my opinion, that we have ever
done. Two of our volunteers, selflessly serving the families, patients
and staff, knowing their son would be there in a few hours.

Statue in the lobby at the NNMC.

At our April Mercy Hall luncheon,
we saw them again. They were at the hospital for follow-up appointments
after Lewis had been discharged the previous week to go home on convalescence
leave.

“Our” Marine is
doing well now. He is back at his stateside base in the Wounded Warrior
Regiment.

Lewis proposed
to his Sweetheart four weeks ago and in less than a week they were
married with their parents’ blessings. We wish them ALL the best and
a happy life together!

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

Paula, Kathy, and Wendy joined us for the first time.
We were very happy to have them as we were very busy!

Thank you Janet, Lew, Susie, Kathy, Wendy, Don, Barb,
and Paula for your help!

Job Well Done!!!

Thank You, Subway, for the sub donations!

Barbecue chicken, Subway subs, potato-leek soup, potato
salad, deviled eggs, garden salad, pasta salad, pickles, dip and chips,
scoops and salsa, cheese and pepperoni, watermelons, cantaloupes,
fresh strawberries, oranges, fresh cherries, angel food cake, butterscotch
brownies, cookies, smoothies, water, Gatorade, and assorted sodas
made up the menu. What little bit we had leftover, we took to the
pantry and the out-patient barracks.

We left coffee, creamer, sugar, Sweet n Low, and Girl
Scout cookies for the pantry. Gave out lots of pantry bags and lady
bags. Pantry bags have snack food – popcorn, pop tarts, Nutrigrain
bars, snack crackers, and other assorted food items.

The ladies’ bags are for the wives, moms, and sisters
and include travel size hand lotion, body lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste,
Kleenex, soap, shampoo.

We fixed up special bags for the names we had been asked
to look for, found them, and Susie, Wendy and Janet delivered them
along with well-wishes passed on from families whose sons had been
serving with them, still in the battle.

We gave out pillowcases, quilts, and receiving blankets
from Bayside Quilters. I love those ladies!!! The last two “These
Colors Don’t Run” t-shirts were handed out. They were a favorite.
The “I Served” stickers and phone cards were also popular.

***Thank you to our Supporters!!!***

Notes of encouragement and support were handed out,
too. “Notes 4

Bethesda”
is our program where we collect emailed notes of support and encouragement
to print out and hand deliver to the patients. You can send one if
you like by emailing it to notes4bethesda@marinemoms-bethesda.org

=====

Each one of us has stories to tell after a luncheon,
something that sticks in our minds from our visit there.

Jane,
I have to tell you a story… It made my heart melt!

Today
when I was helping one of the soldiers down to his room with his lunch
he asked me, “Are you a Marine’s mom” I said, “Well no I
am just a mom.” He said, “Well you’re a nice one,” and he
thanked me for lunch.

He
and all the ones that we visited and helped carry lunch to were so
sweet and thanked us so much. My only response to them was “Thank you so much~”

Don
and I so much appreciate the opportunity to give back to the
men and women who fight to keep us safe everyday!

Barb

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

Marine Moms-Bethesda held three luncheons between April
15^th and today’s luncheon.

Jean, Barb, Don, Sally, Susie, Jess, and Jane were at
Mercy Hall on May 5^th.

On May 23^rd, Gladys and Bob, Susie, Grace,
and Jane were on 5 East.

Then Jess, Susie, Grace, Lauren, and Jane were back
at Mercy Hall on

June 10^th.

Job Well Done, Ladies and Gents! Thank You!!!

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

Marine Moms-Bethesda’s quilt raffle ends August 1, 2010.
If you feel our mission is worthy, please consider helping us out
by entering to win the gorgeous “Maid of Honor” quilt donated to us
by Bayside Quilters. (Did I say how much I LOVE these ladies???) More
information here. Thank you!

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

Over Father’s Day weekend Marine Moms-Bethesda had a
table to sell raffle tickets at the Chesapeake Bay ACBS Chapter’s
Antique and Classic Boat Show at the

Maritime
Museum in St.
Michaels.

HUGE thanks to John
and Nancy Into, the vendor chairs, and to the Chesapeake ACBS Chapter for their
generous donation of the table space!

Great weekend, nice weather, and met some wonderful
people. Veterans from the Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army, and Coast
Guard — OIF, OEF, Gulf War,

Viet
Nam, Korean War, WWII Veterans, as
well as active duty and families with deployed loved ones stopped
to speak with us.

Julie bought a boat when she was helping out on Saturday.

Okay so she didn’t really buy it, but she can dream!

If Greta ever needs a First Mate, Julie’s available!

Gladys and Bob came over on Sunday to help.

Jim helped Friday and had so much fun that he came back
again Sunday and some of his friends joined us for few hours.

We met some of Marine Moms-Bethesda’s supporters in
person!

The local Coast Guard Auxiliary had a booth there.

And there was even a “Coastie” who stopped by and gave

Marine Moms-Bethesda a “thumb’s UP!”

A nice weekend hanging around with Patriots!

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

Wishing All aWonderful

Independence Day!

As you grill the dogs, steam
the crabs, watch the fireworks, and enjoy the company of your family
and friends, please take a moment to remember the sacrifices that
have been made to keep our country free.