August 16, 2012 – Mercy Hall

Oh YEAH we’re HOT!

Today was the annual BBQ and quilt raffle drawing at Mercy Hall!

Kathy and I were ready to ROLL! After she helped me clean the grill out, she headed inside to set up the buffet. To the couple of guys outside I spoke to – Beware! Next time I will VOLUNTEER you instead of asking nicely if you would like to flip burgers for us!

I put on my boxers and pretended I knew what I was doing, mumbling to myself, “This is a MAN”S job!!!” By the time I had figured this out, I was afraid to leave the grill and run inside to grab a Marine to help! Oh well, whatcha gonna do? Adapt and Overcome, right?

Heating up the grill.

Mmmm… yeah… I was really missing Big Don and his expertise in grilling with his monster hamburger flipper!

Brats and Burgers

Oh myyyyy, that first batch of burgers, brats and dawgs I did were crunchy! When I went inside with the second batch, the first batch was almost gone and there was a line. I apologized for burning the first batch and offered to switch with them and those sweet Marines, each one, said, “That’s okay M’am, I… kinda like them burnt. ” (Okay MOMS, 1.. 2…3…all together now – Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww…..) =)

While i was outside manning the grill (in my boxers), Kathy was inside, very busy, setting up the buffet and serving. She was great, so organized, even had time to snap a few pictures for us! This was her first Mercy Hall luncheon.

Potato salad, Pasta Salad, Green Beans in Vinaigrette, Cookies, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, and Fresh Fruit

Isn’t the tablecloth cheerful? It kind of reminds me of Poppies… a subtle tribute to Veterans of a past war.

Baked Beans, Hamburgers, Dawgs, and Brats, Fixin’s Platter and Condiments, and rolls

It was a good luncheon.

A great luncheon.

An awesome luncheon!

It was a whole bunch of “little things” that made it awesome.

Josh, one of the Sailors who works at Mercy Hall, was back after being gone close to two years, on a ship deployment and then at another building on the base. He took us, a few years back, to see one of the barracks rooms, and he’s always so upbeat and smiling!

A family and their Marine Katie knows was there for lunch so we were able to meet them. The Marine was in Katie’s son’s unit until he was injured. He’s planning to be at their homecoming in a few weeks – walking – and I have NO doubt that he will be!

We had “The Warrior Song – HARD CORPS” CDs and t-shirts from the Warrior Song Project, hand-knitted hats and slippers from Carole and the Castaways in Illinois (haven’t you felt autumn in the air?), and quilts from Bayside Quilters to give out. The guys loved them! And they loved the food! Thank you, MM-B “Elfs” and supporters!

When it came time to draw the ticket for the raffle, the guys and Kathy helped out. Kathy held the pillowcase with the ticket stubs and scrunched her eyes shut as Mark, a Marine we have known for quite awhile, drew the winning ticket. (Roy at MH – I thought you were in this picture! Sorry about that! Next time, okay?)

Drawing the winning ticket for the “Stars and Bars Forever” quilt raffle!

“AND THE WINNER IS…. Guy, from Maryland!” Congratulations, Guy!

Guy, a Veteran, has very generously gifted the quilt back to Marine Moms-Bethesda to re-raffle. Thank you SO much, Guy!

Information about “Stars and Bars Forever – Round Deux” will be coming out soon. The funds raised this time will be designated for “Holiday Cheer at Walter Reed and Richmond”.

The past month has been… difficult… for our military and their families. Or maybe it’s just me… A helicopter crash that killed 7 of our Nation’s finest. “Green on Blue” attacks. A higher military suicide rate than ever was reported for July… budget cuts to the defense budget… and time marches on…

One day at a time… keep smiling… To those who support the troops in whatever way, keep up your good work. It’s appreciated more than we may ever know.

Inside the lobby of Mercy Hall is this, a stained glass picture hanging in a window. Kathy took this picture.