October Adoption: Giving Thanks for the USS Forrest Sherman DDG98

[valeriejean]

Giving thanks to the USS FORREST SHERMAN (DDG 98)

This month’s adoption is the USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98). She is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for Admiral Forrest Sherman, and is the second US Navy ship to bear the name.

Their requests are simple: Beef jerky, 5 hr energy drinks, gum, hard candy, mints, sunflower seeds, trail mix, hot sauce, single serve drink packets (the kind you place in a bottle of water), tootsie rolls, “hot tamale” candy, sour patch kids and air fresheners. DVDs are ok. Don’t forget the cards and letters too!

The theme for this month’s adoption is Thanksgiving. Our contact said they would love to have some decorations hanging around the ship. “It might make this place seem a little less like a cold steel vessel, and more like home”. So ladies, let’s send them lots of love from home for the Thanksgiving holiday!

Pillowcases are a “go”. It would be fantastic if we can send enough pillowcases so everyone gets one. There are 214 males and 70 females.

When I asked how they would like the boxes shipped (i.e. one box one sailor or one box to be divided by a group) he said “there are a lot of single kids that don’t get anything so a package for them would be great.” My suggestion is for those of you that can send "individual" boxes, that would be great; mark them as individual. For those that send for a “group” (i.e. lots of one or two things in a box) mark as group. If you send just decoration, please mark the box as decorations so they can pull those separately.

Shipping dates: Oct 19th through 23rd.

I asked for anymore info they could give me on the USS Forrest Sherman, and here is what they were able to share:

USS FORREST SHERMAN deployed on 3 JUL 2012 for a 7 month deployment to the SIXTH Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea.  We have been conducting training and operations with our allies in the region.  We had a chance to visit Rota, Spain, Augusta Bay, Italy, Souda Bay, Greece, and Haifa,
Israel.

We have approximately 300 Sailors onboard - including an Air department that flies our helicopter, a chaplain, and a college instructor to teach us college courses underway.

FORREST SHERMAN is named in honor of ADM Forrest Sherman - the 12th CNO from 1949 -1951.  He commanded the USS WASP in 1942 during the Battle of Guadalcanal.  In the famous picture of ADM Nimitz signing for the surrender of the Japanese aboard USS MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay on Sep 2, 1946, ADM Sherman is standing behind ADM Nimitz.

[Susan mom to Niko]

Sometimes you have to think 'outside the box' for Thanksgiving decorations... at home I use gourds, indian corn (what do you call it these days??), scarecrows, pumpkins... you can find the styrofoam pumpkins on sale now at michaels and joannes... they can cut them in half and tape up to the walls along with raffia tied in bows... 

Another thing we always did at home was to cut a large tree out of brown paper then lots of leaves cut from fall colors... everyday at dinner time we would write something we were thankful for on a leaf and tape it up to the tree...  maybe they could do something like that?? Does someone have access to brown butcher paper to cut a large tree??  If you would do so then glue it to another piece of butcher paper, I would be happy to cut leaves out and send those with my pillowcases.

Mostly they are missing the season of Fall... so anything that gives them those fall colors!!

[Lorraine]

It's true you can find many fall color items and harvest items. Thanks for all the good ideas Susan. I bought some 2" x 12' ribbon with metallic leaves on them in pretty colors that I'm sending. They can figure out how to use it :-) Sorry I can't help with the tree...not that talented.

[valeriejean]

Unfortunately I tend to be an "inside the box" kind of thinker...great idea about the tree, wish I had more talent....I did find leaves that I am going to send....and some fall colored stuff!

[eljac913 (Ship 12 Div 053)]

I found some decorations.  I have some small statues of Pilgrams.  I also found some tiny baskets filled with pumpkins and gords.  I bought fall leaves and fall garland.     

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

I just returned from Norfolk and traveling for two weeks.  Went to Norfolk to see our son, the July POC, who just returned from Afghanistan.  So good to see him!  He was very sick for the first week and even ended up at Portsmouth Hospital for an evening because he was so severely dehydrated, running a fever, flu symptoms, but he's doing great now.

So I just checked the October adoption and was pleasantly surprised.  The POC was a recruiter here and I know him, am in contact with his wife. I can't let this adoption go by without doing something since I'm the one who made him aware of MAS!.

Do you still need pillowcases?  A Legion Auxiliary member has made 24 to send.  I'd love to send them this month since they're coming from "home."  The auxiliary agreed to support adoptions, so I'll go shopping today for individual boxes. 

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Ruth, the pillowcases are accounted for but I respect that you would like to send them this month! Go ahead and have her send them and I will deduct them from mine or have another mom deduct from hers.

I am happy you were able to see your son, even if he was sick. I'm sure having you close was a comfort for him!

My sailor is home right now. We hadn't seen him in 11 months. His 3 1/2 year old daughter and I took him on a 4+ hour Amtrak trip and then to a water park for a couple days. It was wonderful seeing them get to know each other again. Watching them was such a blessing! It will be hard for him to say goodbye to her again in the next 10 days but he will have her all the time he is home except for the couple days she will go to the mothers day out that her mom has her enrolled in.

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

Kim, thanks for understanding!  I just found MIO like drink mix at Aldi's for $2.69!  The chief's wife is very excited to know these sailors are adopted!

 

As far as my son and taking care of him, I didn't have to do anything!  He has a wonderful fiancee who took him to medical and then the hospital, sat with him, cares for him.  He didn't want us near him to begin with for fear what he had might be contagious, so she did it all.  We stayed a few extra days when he asked us to, and he was feeling better.  She just posted a new picture of him on facebook.  He looks thinner than we're used to, but he's smiling and happy!  He's found a keeper.

[valeriejean]

Hi Ruth -  I am so glad you were able to see your son and that he is feeling better!  Sounds like he has indeed found a "keeper"!!

Thanks for the pillowcases, they will be appreciated!  Kim thanks for being flexible!  Things for "home" will mean even more to them!  Thank you!

[carols_kitchen]

I can hold some back.  Was down doe 31--just let me know so I don't overpack like we all do for vacations-- ha ha

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Thanks carol! Sheryl said she would send 5 dozen do I've asked her if she wants to hold some back. As soon as I know I'll let you know.

[carols_kitchen]

I love "good" problems--like too many pillowcases, some of us can save for the next shipment.  I'll be in touch with you, Kim.  If so, just gives me more room for Tootsie Rolls and those great snacks from our food co-op (wasabie peas seem to be a hit.)  :)

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

It's a great problem to have! Sheryl said she would cut back on hers. So please send all of yours! Thank you very much!