Category Archives: 2010

2010, Blog, Holiday Cheer, Holidays, Luncheons

December 2, 2010 – Mercy Hall: “Holiday Cheer at Mercy Hall”

HC 2010 logo“Elfs”, Cookies, Stockings, Cards, and a Holiday Meal!

Here’s our AAR for Holiday Cheer 2010. Thank you to everyone who made it a wonderful success!  You are SO appreciated!!!

“The Elfs”

Some “Elfs” sent gift cards, some sent stocking stuffers and ornaments, and others sent checks to help with the Santa shopping.  They also helped by getting the word out about “Holiday Cheer at Bethesda” by posting on Facebook or on their websites and blogs.

Saying “Thank you” for your unconditional support of our wounded, injured, and ill service members seems inadequate to me. I have difficulty finding words strong enough to express the appreciation and gratitude that comes from the troops and their families when we gave them the stockings, cookies, cards, and food that they weren’t expecting.

So many people have given their time, money, and hearts to help with our event and each one of you have touched many people in extraordinarily wonderful ways that we will never know.

Thank you. We appreciate you.

Cookies:

Thank you to the “Cookie Elfs” – Kate, Barb, Don, Robin, Janelle, Aunt Jeanne and Mr. Russell, Alice, Catherine, Chris and her ladies from Bayside Quilters – Barb C. Kris S., and Marlene, and Grace. Thanks also to Delmarva Blue Star Mothers for helping to fund the cookie tins.

cookie elfs 2010

Jeanne, Janelle, Barb, Don. and Katie gathered together to sort the cookies into cheery tins. Each tin held a dozen assorted cookies.

 

 

 

 

Just a few of the delicious cookies the Cookie “Elfs” made. Continue reading December 2, 2010 – Mercy Hall: “Holiday Cheer at Mercy Hall” →

2010, Blog, Holidays, Luncheons

November 14, 2010 – 5 East: Marine Moms Have a Saying…

Janet and Shirley“My Son by another Mother.”

Some of us Marine Moms and Dads have known each other since boot camp, others since our sons’ first deployment.  Maybe our kids grew up together in the same neighborhood and joined the Marine Corps together. Still others we have met along the way through one support group or another, whether it is from the MarineParents.com site, a Yahoo group, or from homecomings, local events, a Blue Star Mothers chapter, or, yes,  even chasing down a car in town with a USMC sticker on it!  We are everywhere. It’s just the hooking up with each other that may difficult sometimes.

One thing we have in common is we claim every Marine we meet as our own, and we do our best to “fill in” for the parents who can’t be there for their son or daughter.

My hope is that every military family is connected to another military family. It really does help with the roller coaster ride.

The friendships you make will last a lifetime.
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Sunday’s luncheon had a very special feeling surrounding it.  Continue reading November 14, 2010 – 5 East: Marine Moms Have a Saying… →

2010, Blog, Holidays, Luncheons

October 28, 2010 – Mercy Hall: “Retreat Hell! We just got here!”

“Retreat Hell! We’ve just got here!”

Well… not really… it was October 2005 when Janelle and I first visited Bethesda.  I often wonder how Shawn is doing.  Now I know, found his “Alive Day” video on You Tube.  God is Good.

Another Marine we met on one of our first visits just received his final paperwork and is officially medically retired.  It took 5 years.

Then there is the Marine from Massachusetts, the only survivor out of his group of nine.

The Corpsman who was awarded a Bronze Star.

There was a Lieutenant who was in a wheelchair being pushed by his Dad and was so polite to Janelle and me, asking us about our sons.

The Marine in his Santa hat with the little Purple Heart pin on it; the hat was covering the surgical scars  from the head injury from an IED blast.  Continue reading October 28, 2010 – Mercy Hall: “Retreat Hell! We just got here!” →

2010, Blog, Luncheons

September 26 – 5th Floor: Welcome OEF/OIF Patients and Families!

 

Welcome OEF and OIF Patients and Families

 

 

 

Britt stopped by a few days before the luncheon to pick up the “must have” supplies to pass on to Deb for the food prep. Early Sunday morning Barb and Don swung by to pick up the quilts, the notes, pantry bags, and the rest of the supplies.

I stayed home and from all reports I have heard, the luncheon was great! Deb and Barb both checked in afterwards and said it was very busy. The Vitamix even over-heated from all the smoothies Deb was making. It worked fine again after it cooled down. Continue reading September 26 – 5th Floor: Welcome OEF/OIF Patients and Families! →

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

August 19, 2010 – Mercy Hall: A perfect day for a BBQ!

grillin' and chillin' on the patio at Mercy Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I told the butcher I was going to wipe him out of steaks he asked me why. “We’re having a barbecue for the guys wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan tomorrow at Bethesda.”

“Would you like me to cut them fresh for you? It won’t take long, 10 minutes or so.”

“Sure!”

They were just gorgeous and even better, they were on sale!

We arrived at the hospital, unloaded, and while Jess, Susie and Jeanne were setting up inside I was outside showing Wayne and Russell the huge tub of steaks, Continue reading August 19, 2010 – Mercy Hall: A perfect day for a BBQ! →

2010, Blog, Luncheons

July 29, 2010 – Mercy Hall: Marine Moms-Bethesda Luncheon Today!

entryway to Mercy Hall This is what people saw when they walked into Mercy Hall on the day of our luncheon. A welcoming entryway…a pretty flower arrangement… a poster.

Cool poster, eh? One of our “Elfs” had it made up for us using pictures we have taken over the years. Thank You!
Sometimes even the best laid plans have to be revised. The storm that hit the D.C. area on Sunday as we were leaving the hospital after our 5 East luncheon, affected our volunteers who were coordinating the Thursday luncheon at Mercy Hall. Electricity went out in parts of the area for several days, and food was lost in homes and stores.

Elizabeth had to work at the last minute and couldn’t come. Susie enlisted Lauren and they scampered around gathering things together. Then there was an early morning meet up in rush hour traffic so Elizabeth could pass on something to Susie.

Everything worked out fine.  We have Plans A, B, C, and if needed, Plan D!

I don’t think people realize how scattered Marine Moms-Bethesda’s volunteers are.  Continue reading July 29, 2010 – Mercy Hall: Marine Moms-Bethesda Luncheon Today! →

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

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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! →