Category Archives: Luncheons

January 13, 2007 ~ 5th Floor

January 2007 rolled around.

We had visited the hospital several times between our visit with Nate and this visit, but within this time period, we both had some changes in our lives.

We now have a third person helping us. Deb has a family member who spent time as a patient at Bethesda on the same wing we visit. My son returned home with his wife and an honorable discharge after serving in the Corps for four years. And my dear friend, Janelle, had become a Gold Star Mom.

Corporal Justin James Watts will be forever in our hearts.

JustinWatts1

We will never forget the sacrifices our men and women have made in their service to our country.

Whether they return home safely, or wounded, or as a Fallen Hero,

We will never forget.

And we will never forget the sacrifices made by those who have served before them, in other wars.

Thank You For Your Service!

Loading up

 

Rain was forecast for this January day, but for some reason the sun shined down brightly on us. I think it was because a certain Marine Angel was smiling down on his Momma. The three of us met at the halfway point, loaded the SUV and the car up, and headed to the hospital.

We arrived at Bethesda a little ahead of schedule, found our escort, unloaded, and headed up to the ward. The Liaison office had posted flyers in the hallways with the time and place in advance to give everyone the heads up that there would be lunch for them this afternoon.

buffet Jan 13, 2007

 

Lunch was ham and turkey lunch meat with all the sandwich makings, potato salad, macaroni salad, assorted chips, cheese and crackers, olives and pickles, fresh fruit, Entenmanns’s pastries, and assorted juice drinks.

We also filled the pantry for the families. All of this was made possible by private donations and Operation Thank You.

 

The patients and families are treated very well and want for nothing, but little touches of home are always nice. Marine Moms-Bethesda tries to bring those little touches of home to them.

Jane and Deb Jan 13_2007

~ Jane

A Visit with Nate, November 2005, 5th Floor

A Visit with Nate and His Family

On our third visit to Bethesda, we met Nate and his family. Nate was in our sons’ battalion. He was a gracious host and after meeting his parents, I know where he learned that from.  I could also understand why my Marine has such high regards for him.  He talked with us for quite awhile, answered our questions, and we felt as if in a way, we were spending time with our sons.

Nate and Morgan

Generous donations from family, friends and co-workers enabled us to take dinner for the ward – teriyaki chicken, salad, garlic bread, noodles, fried rice, cookies, brownies, pies, oranges, and muffins.

Pies and desserts

We also had Christmas stockings for Nate, Morgan, and the other Marines we knew there, a gift basket for his parents, and cards from well-wishers.

Janelle's trunk was full!
Janelle’s trunk was full of “niftie gifties!”

As we were setting up, another couple arrived with food – chicken, doughnuts, and rice. They also knew injured Marines from their son’s battalion and had the same idea we had…

Main dishes on the buffet table.

We were taking care of our own.

Toward the end of our visit with Nate someone else stopped by to say hello to him.  He was there visiting the wounded Warriors on the hospital ward.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Nate, Nov. 2005

Nate’s Mom and his girlfriend sent us a thank you note not long after our visit and with their permission I am sharing some of what they said.

From his Mom:

I want to thank both of you for brightening our afternoon yesterday. It felt like we were in someone’s home and had a party. . . . It was so relaxed and the food soooo good and filling!!! I appreciate the gifts, cards and love that came with it. It felt like a little Christmas party 🙂

. . . . I have confidence that God will provide for our needs at all times. I am so richly blessed to know this family and feel warmth and comfort in my heart. When you go thru stuff like this it really makes you aware WHAT counts in life and what is important. I want to give you all a BIG (((((((HUG)))))) and thank you for the love and prayer support.

JANELLE…JANE…AND THE OTHERS THAT CAME…..YOU ARE AWESOME AND MADE OUR DAY!!!!!!

From his girlfriend:

Thank you soo much for coming out to see us, I had a great day yesterday thanks to you and Janelle. You ladies both know how to brighten peoples days and show that you truly care about our Marines!! Thank you!!!  And the stocking and presents made me feel like I was at home again celebrating Christmas. – It was incredible!!  I felt like a huge sense of reality * For the first time in a long time*

THANK YOU!!!

Nate is making good progress in his recovery and he and his Sweetie are planning a wedding!

~ Jane