Tag Archives: Choptank Marine Corps League Detachment

AAR – “Holiday Cheer 2016”

gift

Being far from home in a hospital over the Holidays is no fun.

We were grateful to once again have the opportunity to bring some “Holiday Cheer” to recovering Marines at the hospital.

On December 7, 2016 Marine Moms-Bethesda delivered gifts and cards to the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Battalion-East Detachment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. This was our 10th year bringing cheer to patients!

The car is packed and ready to head over to Walter Reed!
The car is packed and ready to head over to Walter Reed!

With so few combat patients on the hospital ward, we focused our “Holiday Cheer” efforts on our annual card campaign and adopting three recovering Marines.
Continue reading AAR – “Holiday Cheer 2016”

Choptank MCL Detachment’s 241st USMC Birthday Party

Every year on November 10th, United States Marines all over the world gather to celebrate their Birthday.

From the Continental Marines in 1775 to the Marine Corps of today, their rich history and Warrior ethos binds them together.

“Once a Marine, always a Marine.”

Choptank Marine Corps League Detachment 439 celebrated their Brotherhood and Birthday Thursday evening at the VFW Post in Easton, MD. Marines from WW II thru the current missions were represented.

Check In! The Ladies checked everyone in, gave out door prize tickets and sold raffle tickets for the 50/50.

the-ladies

The Easton High School JROTC presented the Colors.

presenting-the-colors

After the opening ceremony and formalities,  Wayne and the Gunny told a few “sea stories”.  We won’t try to re-tell them here because no one tells a sea story like a Marine. You had to be there.

There were mentions of Belleau Wood,  “OohRahs”, “UrrrrRahs”, and even a “HooRah”, and someone saying, “When I was in, we used to say “Gung Ho!”

Wayne, the Detachment’s Commandant, said, “The one thing we all have in common is Boot Camp. ”  Comments about “sand fleas”, “alligators”, and oh… “Hollywood Marines” were heard.  All good-natured, connections they all have.

the-gunny-telling-sea-stories

The Brotherhood is there no matter where they went to Boot Camp, what their MOS was, or where they served.

After the buffet prepared by the VFW Ladies – wings, meatballs, pulled pork, rolls, cole slaw, baked beans, veggie tray, chips and dip, it was time to cut the cake.

Two cakes, one chocolate and one yellow.

the-cakes

Marine Corps tradition is to have the oldest and the youngest Marine in the room cut the cake. This represents the passing of the honor, experience and heart of the Corps to the next generation of Marines to carry on.

This year’s oldest Marine is 91 years young, and fought on Okinawa in WWII and the youngest Marine is 27 years old.

2016 Cake Cutting Ceremony

It was a nice evening in the company of Heroes.

They signed cards for us to give to the combat patients at Walter Reed, and presented Marine Moms-Bethesda with a very generous donation toward our 2016 Holiday Cheer project of adopting two single Marines and a Marine family living in the out-patient barracks at the hospital. We are very grateful for their support over the years. Thank you, Marines!

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Choptank Marine Corps League Detachment, we can hook you up with one of them for more information, just let us know.  They currently meet the 4th Thursday of the month in Easton, MD and would love new members.

Happy 241st Birthday, MARINES!

Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Robert B. Neller’s 241st Birthday Message can be read HERE.

And a video is here:

241st Marine Corps Birthday Message

Commandant of the US Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller and Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green speak to Marines and sailors about the importance of reunions and staying connected. (US Marine corps courtesy motion imagery/Released)

“The Few and The Proud.”

There’s a reason for this.

With Respect,

Jane

Happy 240th Birthday, United States Marines!

 

Happy 240th Birthday, Marines!

This evening, November 10, all over the country and beyond, Marines are celebrating their birthday. They weren’t born under a cabbage leaf, you know.  They were born in a tavern.  Tun Tavern.

And ever since, for 240 years, they’ve been Defending Freedom.

Choptank MCL Detachment's Banner

I had the pleasure of attending Choptank Marine Corps League Detachment’s Marine Corps Birthday Party at the VFW in Easton, MD tonight.  The Detachment adopted Marine Moms-Bethesda back in 2009, supporting our mission at Bethesda, then Walter Reed after the two hospitals combined.

Signing in
Guests signed in as they came through the door, were given a raffle ticket for the door prizes, had raffle tickets available to purchase for the 50/50, and there was a table to sign cards to be given to the patients at Walter Reed during our December 6th luncheon.

Continue reading Happy 240th Birthday, United States Marines!

December 1, 2011: “Holiday Cheer at Bethesda 2011”

Marine Moms-Bethesda Holiday Cheer 2011 logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Holiday Cheer” is one of our favorite events of the year! 

Thinking about all of the “Elfs” involved, from our hands-on volunteers to the “Elfs” across the country who help make the event possible, it is overwhelming.  Your support and help is deeply appreciated by those who are the recipients of your kindness.

The past several years we have held “Holiday Cheer” at Mercy Hall.  However since the transition of Walter Reed to Bethesda, the dynamics at Mercy Hall have changed and we thought we could better serve our mission by hosting the luncheon on 4 Center, the 4th floor surgical ward, received permission to do so, and forward we went.

Chafing dishes from an "Elf".To our delight and complete surprise an Elf said, “Janie, pick up two chaffing dishes, a popcorn popper, two 6′ portable tables and a 4′ table.  A check’s on the way to cover the cost.”  When I  opened the boxes to wash the chaffing dishes, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven.  A very welcome addition to MM-B’s “Stash of Stuff” for the luncheons!!!  Thank you SO much!!!

Plans for “Holiday Cheer” began this fall when the holiday card collection began.  Information was sent out in our newsletter and on our Facebook page.

Many of our card “Elfs” send year after year.   We begin receiving inquiries about them in August.  Cards started coming in from all over the country in October.  Lots and lots of cards from Florida this year thanks to Jan and her Florida “Elfs” getting the word out.  sorting-the-cards

 

 

 

 

Always love the cards from “Our Lady of Victory School” in Baltimore – pre-K through 4th grade and their Girl Scout Troop.  This is the third year they have participated in the card collection.  cards-all-tied-up-in-ribbon

 

 

 

 

 

One group of cards came to us from Iowa; and there must have been 25 signatures from different people in each card, each signature with a different message to the troops.  Screening the cards is one of my favorite things to do during “Holiday Cheer”.  The messages are very heartwarming.  Each card bundle had approximately 22 to 25 cards.

Once again, Chris and the Bayside Quilters’ Outreach Ladies made the stockings (and sent cards).   Elf Jess did the shopping and with the help of Elf Bobbi and the crew from “Covers and Soles”, wrapped and filled them.

stocking stuffers

Stockings all stuffed

 

 

 

 

Continue reading December 1, 2011: “Holiday Cheer at Bethesda 2011”

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”

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!

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”

“Holiday Cheer at Bethesda” – Mercy Hall, December 3, 2009

mercy hall 2009 stockings cookies and cards

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Holiday Cheer at Bethesda 2009” at Mercy Hall was an incredible success!

The food was great, the stockings were fun, the cookies were delicious and the cards were the icing on the cake!

”Elfs” across the country helped us fill 65 homemade stockings, sent us over 1000 Christmas cards, and the local “Elfs” baked 100 dozen scrumptious cookies for “Holiday Cheer”.

Our December Luncheon Crew and the Choptank Marine Corps League Detachment served up a full holiday meal including turkey, ham, and all the sides!

Heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made “Holiday Cheer at Bethesda 2009” possible!

Before the Luncheon:

Our goal was to fill 60 stockings, fill 60 containers of cookies with a dozen cookies in each, Continue reading “Holiday Cheer at Bethesda” – Mercy Hall, December 3, 2009

June 4, 2009 – Mercy Hall: It’s a BBQ!

smoothiesBack in January when I mentioned a BBQ to the Sgt., she pointed out there were three charcoal grills out on the patio.  I was riding home with Jack from that luncheon and mentioned a cook-out to him, and he wondered if maybe his MCL detachment might enjoy helping with one.
They talked about it among themselves and decided they would so that’s what we did this month. The detachment funded it and the MM-B Crew prepped it, we all set it up together and had a great luncheon for the guys!

One thing I forgot to do was check the Farmer’s Almanac for the weather forecast before I asked for this date way in advance. Continue reading June 4, 2009 – Mercy Hall: It’s a BBQ!