We learned that Lists are nice. You don’t have to think ‘cause you’ve already done the thinking when things weren’t hectic, just check everything off before you walk out the door, therefore you do not forget anything. GPS is nice, too. Then you don’t take the wrong exit off the beltway. Sunday’s luncheon was relaxed. Football theme. Chili, cornbread, wings, subs, pasta salad, taco dip, chips, dip, crackers, cookies, fruit, and that chocolate chocolate cake again, and I probably forgot something. Did you know Ritz makes football shaped crackers? Yep they do. I had been given the head’s up a few days before to be on the lookout for someone who was there. I met his Mom and she invited me back to meet him. I passed on well-wishes to him from his group, then got the word back to the group that he was on the road to recovery and had lots of family with him. The stories I hear about our warriors are all about honor, courage, and bravery. The Navy Supply Guy was there again. We
first met him back in April.
Brats Unite! Carrie was there from Operation Santa to help us out and there is a little more about her fantastic project below. Robin joined us for the shopping, prep and luncheon – another Air Force Brat, and that made three of us. Another AF Brat was there with us in spirit, Lee, who I knew when our Dads were stationed at Misawa AFB in Japan many, many years ago. He and his wife were one of our sponsors for this luncheon.
When Janelle and I began going to Bethesda almost 2 years ago, the walls in the hallways were bare. Now there are cards, wall hangings, posters, and banners covering them. Here are a few samples. The pictures don’t do the cards and the wall hanging justice.
Special visitors were on the ward visiting the guys Sunday.
Conan O’Brian was there, too. When
I was looking at the Woodruffs’ site this afternoon
I saw this. As our visit came to an end, we wrapped
the leftovers and put them in the fridge along with food
we bought for the pantry. We like to leave it as full as
we can for those late night snacks. We had a lot encouragement
messages to leave for the guys, too, along with gift bags.
We enjoyed meeting everyone Sunday. And
then there’s more…. Operation Santa started in 2004 when Deb
and Connie wanted to send some Christmas cheer to their
sons' units in Iraq. It grew over the weeks and they ended
up shipping over 6,000 stuffed stockings. From there, it
has taken on a life of its own. Last year, Operation Santa
shipped 17,000 stockings to deployed Marines and 300 to
deployed National Guard units. Marine Corps Moms and the
Marine Corps Family Foundation addresses are found here:
Here’s a link to an interview that
Marine Mom Mary Lou did about Operation Santa in another
state. Santa’s Helpers are everywhere. :)
WA State Operation Thank You has their new
website up and running. Looks nice! They have helped us
out since our very first visit to Bethesda.
Are you a Stampaholic? Air Force Mom Deb drew this Angel picture a few years back, shared it on her groups, and many of us have used it in different ways to support the troops and their families. To me, her drawing captures the essence of what so many of us Military Moms wish and hope for, that our sons and daughters are held in the wings of an Angel who protects the while they are deployed. Deb’s picture that you see below has
now been made into a stamp! You can read more about the
stamp plate at the link and order one if you want. By “plate”
I mean that it is the rubber sheet of stamps. You have to
cut it out and adhere it to a block of wood or something
to stamp with it.
Deb asked me to let you know she would like
to share her picture with you so you can use it if you want
to.
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