About Us

Why do we do this?
Because we care and because we can.

We are Marine Moms. When each of our sons became a Recruit, completed The Crucible, and received his hard-earned Eagle, Globe and Anchor, we didn’t know it at the time, but we became a part of the United States Marine Corps Family. Eventually we connected to others in the Marine Family who, like us, supported their loved ones when they became One of the Few and the Proud.

Marines Take Care of Their Own, and we are Marine Moms taking care of our Sons by another Mother.

Our first visit to Bethesda Naval Hospital was in November 2005 during our sons’ second deployment to Iraq. We went to visit the Mom of a wounded Marine who was 3000 miles from home by her son’s side. We wanted to let her know we cared and to let her friends back home know that she was okay and that her son was receiving the best care possible - be their eyes for them since they couldn’t be there in person. We knew that but by the Grace of God, it could have been our son.

We made contact with this mom, made some cookies to take with us, fixed up some gift bags for her Marine and a few others we knew of who were there, a gift basket for her, and off we went. We had no idea what to expect. We rode the elevator up to the floor they were on, the doors opened, and as we entered the corridor, the first thing I felt were the prayers…. I felt like I had walked into a wall of prayers. Prayers being said by the families for their loved ones, prayers from people all over our country being said for these wounded Heroes… It is a feeling that I find extremely hard to describe with words to someone who has never been there. If you have been there, you know exactly what I am talking about. At first glance, calm and hushed… after a pause, there is the feeling of a quiet intensity going on, an undercurrent of prayers, of hope, of healing. And this is when I began to realize that Miracles Happen at Bethesda.

The strength and the bravery of the families and the Marines and Sailors we met that day made a lasting impression on us. We knew we wanted to do whatever we could to help the families during this stressful time and make their stay at Bethesda a little bit brighter. We wanted to let them know that they were not forgotten and that people cared.

We returned a few weeks later, this time with a meal for the patients and their families – lasagna, garlic bread, salad, fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, desserts, letters and cards of encouragement - all donated or made possible by family, co-workers, and friends from across the country, and much appreciated by all who were there. To our delight, the young men we had met on our first visit were steadily progressing in the recovery from their wounds.

One thing we have noticed is how much a small show of appreciation and caring means to the families and to the patients. We have visited a number of times now to do luncheons. They are amazed that people they have never met would think of them, bring a meal, give them gift baskets full of goodies, and donate items for their sons. Our hearts have gone out to these families and their wounded Heroes whose lives are forever changed. We have lost touch with most of the folks we have met, but sometimes we hear through the grapevine how some of these young men are doing. We celebrate in their recovery and we wish them all the best. We have seen first hand how Miracles Happen at Bethesda.

More ABOUT US

What began as “pop in” visits by Marine Moms Jane and Janelle at Bethesda  National Naval Medical Center in October 2005 to visit their friends who were there with their combat wounded sons, and then shortly after, to visit their sons’ friends who were wounded in action, became

“Marine Moms-Bethesda” in June 2007.

Marine Moms-Bethesda is a loosely-knit group of caring volunteers who support the wounded, injured and ill combat troops, all service branches, and their families, on the hospital ward and at the out-patient barracks at the NNMC.

Monthly luncheons, pantry items, notes of encouragement, and gift bags are provided with the help and support of individuals, businesses, and organizations across the country.

Many of our volunteers “were drafted” into the Marines, Navy or Army when our sons, daughters, or brothers joined the military. These volunteers’ "Stars" proudly shine Blue, Silver, and Gold!

Their sons, daughters, and brothers are active duty, waiting for their medical discharge, IRR, have completed their contracts, or “gave their all”,

with many tours to Iraq and Afghanistan between them.

Many of our volunteers are patriotic Troop Supporters who were raised in the military or who have no immediate family connections to the military. Others are Veterans who have served our country and are now supporting their “younger Brothers” through Marine Moms-Bethesda.

The one connection our volunteers have in common is that we care deeply about our combat wounded, injured, and ill Warriors and their families, and feel that Marine Moms-Bethesda is a worthy way of showing our appreciation, a small way of “giving back” to them, for the commitment and dedication these brave HEROES have given to our country, at great sacrifice to themselves.

For more about us and how we do what we do please click here