September 2009 Guam

This month we had 28 sailor in Guam stationed on the USS Frank Cole

They found us directly from our website, and were the first to request support.

We were so excited that the troops found a way to find us.

YEAH

We tried to theme it Football in Guam

considering it was the start of American football season.

Along with sending the general things they need or could use.

August 2009 USS Crommelin (FFG 37)

This month we did a frigate the USS Crommelin with 252 on board. (somewhere in the ocean)
They are home ported in Hawaii so we sent them a Luau.
We sent 293 boxes for the sailors themselves, 37 boxes of a Luau, Heads at Ease came threw with a pillowcase for everyone, and we had 252 personalized shirts that said the ships name and year. Unfortunately approx. 150 were stolen out of the back of someones car all packaged and ready to send.
The 252 were donated by a Florida company prographix. (thank you to them)
We had 2 Florida state packing parties, one held at the Bunker --a Vietnam vet memorial hall. (thanks to them also)
A Washington Packing party
A Colorado packing party
And of course moms from all over the Great nation of ours packing and sending things to our sailors.

MAS Special Hugs

We started a new sub group of Mollys Adopt A Sailor (MAS) called Special Hugs
This room is devoted to helping those active duty/reserves who have been injured or taken ill, and the Gold Star moms & family's.
We send cards and letters to the VA they are in, or to the home of the service member.
We have been able to have a few moms go into the VA and do visits also. they bring them a milkshake or DVDs,or just someone to talk with.
Its a great project, and one that is needed.
Hopefully soon we will have the funds to buy them easy to dress clothes (sweats, big t-shirts) as this is just a work in progress we are learning as we go.
I want to thank Brenda for being the Special Hugs mom and coordinating all these names and address's.
If you know someone that needs a special hug --please contact us through the website,and we will have someone get back to you.
God Bless our troops

Our 1 year birthday party

We went to the land & sea with 61 Marines on the ocean and 55 Sailors in Iraq.
We sent the essentials along with something birthday themed in each box or letter sent.
Our Marines were having a few babies born while away and so we sent them baby things and cards for THEM to send home.
Our Sailors had requested some official PT gear. So we hustled up and was able to purchase those for them (A BIG thank you to the NEX for allowing that )

And of course *heads at ease * stepped up with their pillowcases again for all the guys.

What we consider essentials you ask
Hygene items –---soaps, foot sprays, chapstick, lotion, things like that the everyday things we take for granted
Snacks ----- things that don’t melt, cakes in a jar, power bars, flavored water crystals. We try to get them things that are homey feeling.
Things that cure the boredom ----- Dvd’s, books, hand held games, you get the idea just things you may like.

So just in case you wonder how do I support the troops
There is just a little list of things ---its just that easy.
And never ever forget letters mean the world ---because once all those goodies from the box are gone , that letter is still there.
Will talk to you again next month with new adventures.
God Bless Our Troops ~Molly

4th of July in Afghanistan

These are a few pictures of things we sent to our 4th of July group. We have sent something from every state. Even Govenors got involved.

We hope this finds them safe, and that they return home soon.

We would be nothing without our military.

You don't need a huge crowd to say Thank you! just one person can make a military member feel special.

My self and another mom wanted to tell our 1 lone ship coming in for fleet week thank you. So we made up signs brought balloons and a flag.

We sat by the bridge and waited for the ship. Along came a mom who was all alone from Ohio who was there to see her son. She had not seen him in over a year.

Then another mom from the area called and said she was going to make and bring a banner.

We sat and waited-people started coming up and asking what we were doing. I kept saying thanking the Navy.

They stared sitting with us on the grass and waiting for the ship.

When the ship came in We Cheered and yelled and screamed Welcome to Portland.

And by gosh so did the crowd of maybe 50 at this time.

We went down by where they were docked and held our signs and clapped for them.

Here is the amazing part --- the commanders of that ship came right to where we were and thanked us ?? Thanked us for thanking them.

We live free everyday, we have the opportunity's to do anything we want at any time because of our men and women in the services. And they say thank you to us ?

Though it was nice, it made me a little sad --because they should never be surprised when people thank them. that's should be a daily thing IT SHOULD BE A REQUIREMENT !!

The reason I told this story is so that people can see ---you don't need a huge group to thank the military. You can do it alone and you may just find people will join in ?

And if not ---doesn't matter ! You will still let them know how special they are to us !!

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY

Free Navy Mom Hugs

People ask me how the Free Navy Mom Hugs picture came about.

We started this group at Adopt A Sailor in July 2008 with 10 moms. By the time Dec 2008 rolled around we were up to aprox. 150 moms from all over the country.

We decided that Decembers group was going to be a whole ship,with the idea that we wanted to send a international phone card to each sailor on board. And some x-mas cards also.

It took us 6 weeks to gather up all we needed for the 253 on board and might I say we did it big and were able to gather 750 $10.00 international phone cards and and over 3000 cards and letters, along with boxes of goodies and a scrapbook for the CMC ! This was just moms with the help of schools and churches and friends.

When that ship came home some of us were there to welcome the sailors. We had food for those who had duty and could not leave the ship. And banners to welcome them home.

We also decided to hold signs for those sailors that may not have family to welcome them home and give hugs. How better to get a hug from a stranger then to start with a laugh :)

Plus really ---whats better then a mom hug ?