A Thank you from the USS Rodney M. Davis...

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Mary and Molly,
I wanted to say on behalf of all RODNEY M. DAVIS Sailors, THANK YOU for ALL of the cards.

I know that you told me before they arrived of the quantity, but I know that I really did not realize the quality. The cards arrived onboard on 24 December as we arrived inport Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Panama. I had called away an All Hands working party to bring the mail and other stores (food and parts) onboard. The first truck on the pier to unload was the mail. The bags started to get unloaded and continued to be unloaded. Then the fun started onboard the ship with our Mail Petty Officers sorting the mail into stacks. As I walked by one of the Mail Petty Officers told me that I must be very popular because I had a lot of boxes in the mail. I took a look at one of the boxes and saw the address. I knew from the address that we had received the cards that you said were in route to us and they had arrived in time for Christmas. I got some help and took the boxes to the Chief's Mess for further sorting.

When I opened the first box, all I said was WOW! I sorted the cards into piles of with and without phone cards so that I could distribute out further and make sure all got phone cards. Then I found the candy canes and other sweets sent. I had to get a big bowl from our galley so that I could put all of the wrapped sweets out on the chow line for the Sailors to help themselves. Of course I saved some special samplings for the Officers and the Chiefs.

After I got all of the boxes to the Mess and the two piles, I called my elves (other Chiefs) to start distributing throughout the ship. They started out by only counting out just enough for their Sailors, but that did not make a dent in either pile. I had to call them back several times to take more cards and this was only the ones that were delivered in boxes. Little did I know what still awaited me when they called Mail Call for the individual sent letters. When I went to pick up my letter mail, the Mail Petty Officers handed me one of the large mail tubes overflowing with letters. Yes, it was more cards from you and your elves. Back to sorting these out to add to the piles that I already had and get my elves even busier to spread this Christmas cheer. We have almost distributed all of the cards just a few left.

I did get a special feeling of warmth when I noticed the special cards and package addressed to me. I was not able to open these up till later that night and enjoyed reading them. The scrapbook is extra special and I will be cherishing that for the rest of my days. It really caught me off guard when I received the picture and saw it again in the scrapbook of all my ships. Thank you and your elves.

I can not thank you enough for your efforts in making this Christmas special for all of my Sailors. For some of my Sailors, your cards were the only cards that they received for the holidays. I know that reading the personal notes in some of the cards really lifted our spirits and brought us closer to you. Some of the cards and personal notes are hanging different places throughout the ship. Some of my Sailors are planning on writing back to some that sent cards. I had to let my family know about some of the cards received because they were from my home state, Colorado. My family all lives in Colorado Springs, CO. I had to ask my family if anyone knew where Dinosaur was located and of course my Mom replied back with a simple map with its location.

I hope that you share this with all of your elves so that everyone will know how special you made our Christmas. You are also free to share my email address with them as well.

Sincerely with a very hearty Thank you,

Command Master Chief
USS RODNEY M. DAVIS (FFG 60)

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

I cried all the way thru his email, Thank YOU of you for your wonderful support during the holiday season to these Sailor! Let's go make some IAs in Afganistan smile now!!! xx0x0x00x

[Florence, Adam's Mom]

That it a lettler from the heart and I am so happy I got share in this project. How touching to know if we had not sent those cards some of those sailors would not have gotten anything for Christmas.

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

Thats the part that killed me and still has tears rolling down my face ------ we touched a sailor who otherwise would not have gotten anything for christmas.
Ohhhhhhhh those dear sweet sailors, needed a mom and we came through :)
HUGS to you all - you are wonderful !!

PS Colorado Moms ( I guess they got the snow) LOL LOL LOL

[Jenny...CBmom "CAN DO"]

What a great way to kick off the new year! To know our little project meant so much is a great feeling. Godd call on the scrap book Staci!

[carols_kitchen]

I did ok until the second to last paragraph. When have I ever had so many goosebumps and misty eyes as I have with my shared sisterhood of the N4Ms? Thanks for sharing this great letter from the USS RMD!
To the most wonderful experiences yet to come.......and the story continues.

[Brenda Sue]

So glad to know that we made a light shine somewhere for Christmas!!
Thanks for sharing and for allowing everyone to participate in this!!!
sniff, sniff!!

[DCSARSMOM]

A blubbering mess....
yeah Molly, I guess they got the snow!~ I knew this project just "felt right" for me to get involved in...and then to see the CMC's family lives right here in C.S. - how cool is that?
I'm so happy we provided some Mama love to those sailors that might have missed out....
...that's all I gotta say - going to go hug my sailor while I have the chance....

[Lois C T(momma T)]

Hi, I am a mom of a Seabee, who is in Iraq, Getting through Christmas without him being home, was very difficult for us, but much more so for him! I can't even imagine a soldier/sailor not receiving any mail ever, not just at the holidays! I know how much he looks forward to letters from home(he told me I repeat myself, but tha'ts ok, just don't stop mailing letters!) So, I would like to help

[shell]

Great to have you on board Lois! Your expierence is going to be invaluable to the group. Here is the January sailors, click here
And here is the main board of the group click here
Look forward to getting to know you and hearing about your sailor :)

[Dianne (Drew's Mom)]

What a wonderful letter! It's great to know how much it lifted their spirits, especially those who would not have received anything. What great timing, for it to get there on Christmas Eve!! :)

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

We couldnt have planned it better -------- tee hee -----------OH wait we did plan it !! LOL LOL LOL
Well it worked !!

[Jackie]

AWESOME, AWESOME ,AWESOME! We did good! So good to hear from him. Thanks for sharing this letter with us.