Project Darkhorse

[DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor]

 

 

"Darkhorse" is the name given to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, the most highly decorated regiment in the Marines.  These young men are currently serving in Afghanistan.  There are five companies in this battalion and this represents a large number of Marines who would appreciate any love we can send their way.

 

Weapons Company received several care packages in December and then HAE moved on to Lima Company.  When all have finished up mailing their boxes, Lima Company will be put to "bed."  The next, and probably last company, we will do is Kilo Company.  There are about 170 Marines in this group, all males.  The mailing date for Kilo Company is February 7.   This should give us enough time to get sufficient pillowcases ready for mailing.  As with every project, we need to have sufficient pillowcases for each Marine in the company to receive one.

 

For OPSEC reasons, I would appreciate your letting me know via PM (make me a friend on N4M if I am not already one) the number of pillowcases you will send in your box.

 

Sue sent me this "Semper Fi" poster.  I watched the video about the Marines in Bethesda.  The attitude of the Marines who have suffered terrible injuries is absolutely amazing.  Here is a link with a video of Kilo Company.

 

[Birdie]

Here are 40 of the 50 pc's for H&S. I'm going to add 10 from my stash. Not sure which ones yet.

 

 

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

Birdie, I love seeing that fabric being used!  thank you for making these.  they look great.

[Birdie]

Thanks!

Unfortunately, the blue striped fabric had a big section where the threads are torn and it looks like the weave of the material is goofy. I'll try to make that into sashes for other pc's.

[DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor]

Great photos, Birdie.  I recognize some of that fabric .. I have used the same patterns.  I have eyed the lightening fabric several times because I really like it ... I just don't like the price.

[D~W~G]

just curious what you are doing with this?

[D~W~G]

Hi sewers. I just wnated to network with you all. Have you sent these packages out yet? Would love to know more about what you are doing. I love to quilt.

[DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor]

D-W-G, Most of the sewers are mailing H&S on Tuesday.  Fear not, there will be more groups, there always are more.

[D~W~G]

sounds like a great project. G-who responded to me. I can not find your message and not sure how this thread is arranged but I am making pillow cases for ME and Sue for USS George Bush and hoping to make some for my sons ship too later after George bush is done. I just wanted to connect with other sewers too. what are you working on? oh what is H&S?

[DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor]

D-W-G, in December concern was expressed about a unit of Marines in the mountains of Afghanistan because they had suffered a number of losses.  After a little research, we decided to do as much as we could for the companies (five of them) in 3/5 Marines, better known as Darkhorse.  The first mailing date was January 7 to Lima Company but several moms wanted to do something sooner.  We had just finished helping the Lincoln moms and it was Christmas time, so we decided to send care packages to Weapons Company.  This is the first and only time that we have sent only care packages.  We mailed to Kilo Company on February 7 and Sue and Michele mailed to India Company last week.  This left only H&S Company.  it is the largest company in this battalion but we had several moms who could mail a significant number of pillowcases and we were able to cover most of H&S Company.  Sue will be making up the difference for this company.  

 

This is the first battalion of Marines that we have adopted and it represents one of the largest units that we have done.  Both the USS Lincoln and USS Bush, which represent many more sailors, really came out of projects by the moms of those ships.  Sue is both a Lincoln mom and the leader of HAE and Maryellen is both a Bush mom and a very active member of HAE.  They both asked if the HAE moms could help out some with their projects.

 

You ask "what are you working on."  I assume you are referring to the Project Darkhorse so I hope this explains what we are doing.  If you are referring to me, when HAE finishes up this project and I am heading off to Japan for a couple weeks to visit my g'daughter.  She is with a squadron that is permanently stationed in Japan and is assigned to the George Washington when it deploys.  Because she goes in and out of Japan, we don't get to see her often.  She did return in January for a visit with us but that will probably be her only visit while she is in Japan.  My oldest g'son is a Marine who is stationed in Afghanistan.  He is with MALS-40 (Marine aviation logistical support).  I have a nephew who is also a Marine and he just returned from Afghanistan.

[D~W~G]

Thank you so very much for the very eloquent and heartful explaination of everything. Exactly what I was asking. Now I have a better understanding of things and what all you guys do.. God Blessed the Navy with  all of you!!! what amazing people you are.

 I hope for all of your support when I try to arrange something for my sons ships.

 I was thinking actually of maybe setting up a little store that would have the pillows but also other small things too. We could get people to donate to the ship store and everything would be free.

I heard of another ship doing that. I think the clergy managed it? What do you think?

Regardless I am here to sew and feel very honored to be among you all.

 

[DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor]

D-W-G, I suspect that HAE wouldn't be involved with your ship store idea.  While it is a good idea, we are kept quite busy with the pillowcases.  It always seems that there are far more worthy recipients than time and money to provide sufficient pillowcases.

 

Both the Lincoln and Bush are air craft carriers so doing a project like those is quite an undertaking.  Both of those projects came out of the "moms" of those two ships and HAE only provided a small portion of the total number of pillowcases required.  Also the logistics of doing pillowcases for a ship is far more complex than one would think.  If the moms of the sailors on your son's ship want to consider doing the ship, you need to talk to Maryellen and Sue about what is involved.  On the other hand, HAE has adopted a squadron on a ship and this is quite doable.  I would imagine adopting your son's unit might also be a doable thing.

 

It's great to have you join us.  We can always use more sewers!!

[D~W~G]

Thank you so much for your responces, yes these tasks you all accomplish are just amazing. 5000 plus at a time. Quite a feat (sp) My only goal about being involved is to boost moral. whatever it takes are men/women deserve our efforts. We are spread thin and I know life intervenes preventing many from a commitment. I totally can appreciate. I am blessed to for once in my life (past 2 years) to be a stay at home mom. My time at home and what I accomplish is important. Of course watching every little thing my young son does is number one and supporting my sailor`but I have the perfect opportunity to give and giving and working hard at giving makes me feel so good.