Tag Archives: 5 East

2010, Blog, Luncheons

August 22, 2010 – 5 East: Thanksgiving in August? Why not?

Thanksgiving in AugustSunday’s crew members put together a fabulous luncheon for the patients and families on 5 East!  Turkey, ham, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, biscuits and honey, cornbread and jalapeño jelly, fresh fruit, chips and dip, cheese and crackers, salad, cookies and cupcakes, smoothies, sodas, and bottled water made for a great Thanksgiving meal in August!

pantry bags and t-shirts cartAnother group met us there to help with the luncheon and pass out t-shirts so they filled the pantry bags while Susie, Elizabeth, Lew and Stephanie were setting up the buffet.

Pantry bags, cameras, pillowcases, encouragement notes, and Logan’s lollipops along with the t-shirts were handed out when the families or patients came out of the room. Quilts from “Quilts of Valor” were distributed by Susie. The girls made sure all of the patients were given a t-shirt. Lots of smiles and “thank you’s”!

T-shirt Crew August 2010

“T-shirts 4 Troops” came about when NNMC Red Cross volunteers Lauren, Shavani and Karishma decided they wanted to “bring some color” to the hospital wards at Bethesda. Continue reading August 22, 2010 – 5 East: Thanksgiving in August? Why not? →

2010, Blog, Luncheons

July 25, 2010 – 5th Floor: Red, White, and Beautiful

shopping for the luncheonIt must have been the hottest day of the year when Robin, Jean, Sally and I met to shop for Sunday’s luncheon. With Deb’s beforehand help scoping out Sam’s and figuring out quantities, we were able to be in and out in less than two hours.

Good thing we had the three cars. What didn’t fit in Sally’s SUV went into Robin and Jean’s vehicles.

$842.00 worth of stuff for the luncheon, pantry bags, and a much needed stock-up of serving supplies.  It used to be $350.00 tops for a luncheon. Yes… the hospital is very busy now.

The ERA box was empty and filled with smaller things. What you see doesn’t include what was in my car or at Deb’s or the flowers that would fill Robin’s car the next morning.

Back to Sally’s for the food prep, dinner, and filling the pantry bags.

Bayside Quilters had given us some cloth bags they made for the “ladies bags” we usually take. Because of the number we would be serving, I decided to skip the lady bags and use the cloth bags for the pantry gift bags. They worked out beautifully, were very cheery, and can be used over again by the families for something else.

Priorities are – luncheon food and supplies, Continue reading July 25, 2010 – 5th Floor: Red, White, and Beautiful →

2010, Blog, Luncheons

June 27, 2010 – 5th Floor: Down but not defeated!

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!

skypeckGEORGE L. SKYPECK®
Combat Artist

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

Lewis and friends
Photo courtesy of Janet Skerry

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: Continue reading June 27, 2010 – 5th Floor: Down but not defeated! →

2010, Blog, Luncheons

March 28, 2010 – 5 East: Some days you just need chocolate.

chocolate chocolate brownies

 

 

 

 

And those aren’t just plain ol’ brownies – they are brownies with chocolate fudge icing.  Can you smell the mint in them?

There are so many who help in the background during the days leading up to a patient’s arrival at Bethesda. If you don’t know who MaryAnn from Soldiers Angels-Germany is, you should.

Once at Bethesda, the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund does wonderful work on behalf of combat wounded/injured/ill Marines and those serving “boots on the ground” with them.

The professionalism of the Marine Liaison staff Continue reading March 28, 2010 – 5 East: Some days you just need chocolate. →

2010, Blog, Luncheons

January 24, 2010 – 5th Floor: Happy New Year, I hope you feel better!

I hope you feel better_Snowman Jan 2010Too Cute!!! Just one of many Snowmen that Debra and Co. in New York sent us for the patients of 5 East to include in their encouragement note packets!

*************************************************************

I didn’t attend the January luncheon so this is the AAR I sent out to the luncheon crew after hearing from Deb, Susie, and Barb.

*****
Yesterday was our first luncheon of 2010 on 5 East and I hear it went really well.

Thankfully, the number of combat patients on 5 East was down considerably compared to the past several 5 East luncheons. Continue reading January 24, 2010 – 5th Floor: Happy New Year, I hope you feel better! →

2009, Blog, Holiday Cheer, Holidays

Holiday Cheer at Bethesda 2009 “Elfs”

Holiday Cheer 2009 cookies and stockingsMade possible by “Elfs” across the country!

Thank you so much for being an “Elf” and bringing “Holiday Cheer” to Bethesda Naval Hospital.

AAR:
Stockings

2009 holiday cheer stockings

Stockings made by Bayside Quilters of the Eastern Shore,  MD.

Stocking stuffers were sent from: Continue reading Holiday Cheer at Bethesda 2009 “Elfs” →

2009, Blog, Luncheons

November 8, 2009 – 5th Floor: My mind…

We extend our deepest condolences to the Soldiers and their families at Fort Hood.

Operation Homefront has established an “Emergency Tragedy Fund” for the families of the injured and deceased Soldiers if you would like to help.

**************************************************************************

Sally, a friend of Deb and Robin’s and a new Luncheon Crew member, had been on the waiting list since May to attend the November luncheon with us. As the date got closer, she offered to host the food prep at her house and Deb assured me that Sally’s kitchen would be the perfect place to work in.

My Mind is like a steel thingamajig It was! And when I saw the “thingamagig” plaque on her kitchen counter… Well… =)

We shopped, Robin met us at Sally’s, we knocked out the food prep in a few hours, went out to eat, and then Sally and I stuffed the gift bags when we got back.

gift bags We woke up Sunday morning to an absolutely beautiful autumn day and the mouth-watering smell (well, maybe not – it was 6 AM – kinda weird smelling barbecue at 6 AM) of pulled pork barbecue in the crock pots and then… Continue reading November 8, 2009 – 5th Floor: My mind… →

2009, Blog, Luncheons

October 18, 2009 – 5th Floor

Welcome OEF and OIF Patients and Families

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The online community of Marine Moms spreads far and wide across the country and every once in awhile things work out and we are able to meet our online sisters, our sons’ “other mothers”, in person and that’s what happened at this luncheon.

October 18, 2009 - 5th floor: ali, Deb, Ellen-Alisa, Scott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ellen-Alisa was out here visiting Ali, and they were able to join us.

When Janet offered her help with encouragement notes I quickly took her up on her offer and asked her to join us so she could see first hand what Marine Moms-Bethesda is all about. Continue reading October 18, 2009 – 5th Floor →

2009, Blog, Luncheons

September 13, 2009 – 5th Floor: In the company of Heroes

In the company of Heroes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heroes.

Former Marine Oliver North defined the word “HERO”:

“Heroes are people who overcome evil by doing good at great personal risk. Through self-sacrifice, fortitude and action — whether they succeed or fail — heroes provide a moral and ethical framework — and inspiration — for the rest of us.”

Wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, cousins.
Just a few of the family members we met today on 5 East.
Some had been there 5 weeks; some arrived just two days ago.
Some travel back and forth from their home state to the hospital, as they can.
Others have stayed so long that their sons are telling them, “It’s okay to go home now, Mom. I’ll be fine.” Continue reading September 13, 2009 – 5th Floor: In the company of Heroes →

2009, Blog, Luncheons

July 12, 2009 – 5th Floor: What’s better than watermelon on a hot summer day?

Watermelon

 

 

 

 

Gate Roster: Gladys, Bob, Janelle, and Jane

Arrived at Gladys’ around 2 PM Saturday.  Went over shopping list, supplies list, and to-do list with Gladys and Bob.

Left Gladys’ at 2:30 to shop. Went to Sam’s, Wal-Mart, and Dollar Store.

Left Bob in charge of chicken baking in the oven and the job of putting together the encouragement note packets which included emailed notes, handwritten notes, an MM-B comb, and a special “Star”.. (Thank you Chris, Florida G.S Troop 681, Linda and Larry, Jan, Maria, Gramma Pam, Marcia, Teresa and Family, Miller Family, Nathan and George the Kitten, Shawn and Family, and someone who didn’t sign their name.)

Arrived back from shopping at 5:00 PM, had dinner, relaxed a little bit, Gladys got busy; Jane and Bob relaxed a little more then joined her; finished up, relaxed some more and at midnight, turned the crockpots on and went to bed. Continue reading July 12, 2009 – 5th Floor: What’s better than watermelon on a hot summer day? →