AUGUST IS FOR THE ATTACK SQUADRON THE SHADOWHAWKS

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

 The Shadowhawks are an Electronic Attack Squadron & are deployed on the Bush aircraft carrier in the Gulf.

 

There are 216 sailors assigned to the Shadowhawks -- 190 men and 26 women.  They received pillowcases when they arrived on the ship, so no need to worry about pillowcases for this adoption.

 

I received this sweet message from our POC:  “…it is so hot out here.  But it seems wrong to ask for anything.  Whatever you do will be received well by our Sailors.  And, thank you for what you are doing, not just for us, but for every Sailor life you are touching.”  He went on to say that our ideas for them would be far better than anything he could think of & he didn’t want to ask others for input as he wants this to be a huge & total surprise.

 

So, Moms we have our work cut out for us …  One thing I thought we should keep in mind is that they will be receiving their boxes right around  9/11 – the reason they are deployed & still fighting this war on terror that the other side started 10 years ago.  Let’s make certain that our sailors know:

                         “We Will Never Forget.”

 

Many will have sad memories of that day – NYC, DC & PA, let’s do our best to put a positive spin on things. I was thinking for a theme - “Picnic in Central Park”.  Central Park is a GREAT place for a picnic!

 

And, August is ‘National Picnic Month.’  In Central Park, people read, play ball, throw Frisbees, children blow bubbles & draw pictures with sidewalk chalk. There are artists painting & drawing, people writing or talking.  Of course, we can’t do anything about walking a dog (& pooper-scooping), but people jog, do yoga & catch some rays while playing in the fountains.  And, of course, eat!!!  (So we need food/snack items.)

Perhaps items can be red, white & blue to acknowledge American endurance on the 10^th Anniversary of 9/11.

Shipping will be August 22 – 27^th.

 

These are just my thoughts.  So, let the discussions begin … !!!!

 

MESSAGE JUST RECEIVED THAT THE FEMALE SAILORS ARE BEING TAKEN ON.  If someone wants to help in some way, contact Lauren.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

That is just wonderful!!! It just makes your heart smile :)

[carols_kitchen]

Indiana packing party just got note # 4 --whoop whoop for my first time packers!  So proud of you and your families for all the work you did.

 

Hello,

My name is Alex Hxxxxxxxx, I am with VAQ-141 on deployment. I just wanted to share my appreciation for all you are doing for my follow sailors and I. We all are grateful for all your support and we hope to be home soon with our families! Again thank you and God bless you!

---

[carols_kitchen]

Indiana--this one's for you.  Thank you # 5.  This has NEVER happened before!  We can go months without hearing from anyone, and you have gotten thank you # 5!!!  I'm amazed and ....well, amazed.  Here you go:

 

                My name is AEAN Matt Rxxxxx. I am currently deployed on board the USS George H. W. Bush. Ever since I learned of the Molly’s Adopt a Sailor Program, I have been a huge fan. I just want y’all to know that you didn’t adopt just one sailor. You and your family brightened the lives and boosted the moral of an entire shop full of Aviation Electricians and Trouble Shooters. That’s right, with one box, you brought smiles to the faces of fifteen different people.

                I read that your son went to boot camp in June of 08. I went to boot camp at the exact same time. I graduated in August of 08 and went to A school in Pensacola, FL and C school in Oceana, VA. I meet my wife while in C school. She is from Virginia Beach and teaches first grade. Isn’t that cute! Now, being from South Georgia, I was taught to always be honest and to appreciate the little things in life. So, honestly, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

 

Sincerely,

AEAN Matt Rxxxxx

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

HOLY COW -------------this is so flipping amazing !! tee hee hee WOW and WOW and a few tears too

[Kaye S.]

Carol,

I've just now read all the thank you notes and looked at all the pix... makes me so proud to be able to make them happy, and so humble that they are so grateful (it's not much, is it?).  Reminds me of what is truly important in this life:  family, folks who'll take time to do a kindness, and the gifts of comfort and health.  Hmm, think I need to get a tissue now.  Love all my N4M pals so much, k.

[Proud Navy/NYPD Mom (Donna)]

I just got my very first note from an adopted sailor!!  So exciting.  But she also made me cry too.  Here's her note:

 

Donna,

 

I want to give you a picture of what it looked like to sit in our ready room on the ship where the females of our squadron waited to be told about this meeting. All of a sudden, we saw our fellow shipmates come in one after another with boxes. We were confused, excited and intrigued by the boxes that were stacked before us. When we were told what it was, that those were for us, it became like a Christmas morning for all of us. When the box of scrubs & body washes were opened I think that’s when everything just went to an overload of joy.

 

Some of us were tired after working all night but just doing that, with the gifts and thoughts from the cards letting us know that people cared sent our spirits high, and especially mine. I stopped what I was doing and gathered the letters that were in the box that sat in my lap and began to take my time to read it. Yours just happened to be the first.

 

I was already pretty emotional because of the past days and the letter you wrote drove me into overdrive. I knew I had to write you back as soon as I could. So Let me take this moment in telling you about me.

 

My name is Cxxx (as you can see on the email) and I’m in a squadron here attached to the ship. I have a husband and a son who’s turning two in October. I miss him terribly and my rack in the berthing is covered with his pictures. Attached is a picture of him J. I’ve been in the navy for almost four years and re-enlisting on my birthday.(November 8^th) I am an E-5(Petty Officer Second Class) and I enjoy my time with my shipmates. It’s always good to enjoy the people you work with. My sister is getting married, my mom’s helping watch over my son while I’m away, and I stare at my background (of my computer which is of my son) and I’m reminded why I’m here, and why I do so much.

 

It’s my family that drives me, the support that you and many others give me and the pride it gives me and knowledge that I’m making a difference, no matter how small. You brought joy with your words, and I hope to hear from you again. Blessings upon you.

Cxxxxx

She also included a picture of her son, but I'm not sure how to copy and paste it, but I can tell you he is the cutest little boy - blonde hair and enormous blue eyes.  Except for the hair color he looks like he could be related to my litte g'daughter!  I know I will write to her again  :)

[Pat L. in IL]

Donna, Thanks for sharing!! Can't you just see them all sitting there nervous and apprehensive about the meeting. And then BOOM.......Christmas morning!!! I just love what we do!!!!!

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

WOW ---seriously amazing

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

OMG!!! Thank you for sharing!! This is why we do what we do! Even if we only made her feel better, it has all been worth it!!!

[Denise (Dee)]

My sister got this email on 9/22 (this was her 1st packing party):

Ellen,
Thank you so much for the package. it really lifted our spirits. It’s greatly appreciated, knowing that we make a difference in peoples lives definitely encourages our motivation. God Bless, thank you again Ellen.


Sincerely,
Anthony xxxxxx, and the whole VAQ-141 Aviation Ordnance shop.

[Susan mom to Niko]

Isn't it fun to hear what fun the command is having passing out those boxes... making sure that each part of the squadron is having a chance to receive some of the fun and joy!!  You can sense the apprehension and tension they must all feel at being sat down for a meeting... then it turns into Christmas morning!!  Love, love, love that!!

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

Just returned home after almost three weeks away.  Susan, I thought of you a dozen times when we were in Seattle, but we were always doing something!  We didn't even get to Bremerton!  We went to the Boeing factory and Museum of Flight, the Pike Street Market (I know you were so close!), Underground Seattle tour, Klondike Gold Rush National Park, walked around the space needle and Pioneer Square, explored Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, ate at Elliott's on the bay (twice!), Pike Brewing Company once, and rode the monorail and the Ducks!  AND my hubby's Army buddy from Portland and his wife came to see us.  It's been 29 years!  We'll be back.  My husband fell in love with Seattle just like I did several years ago. 

So now I'm wondering--I'm sure our 60 boxes made it to the ship, but I've not heard a word from anyone.  At least I hope they made it!