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.

[Lorraine]

Mary, I use click n ship all the time to save money. Military addresses are unusual. I sometimes have to use the "company" line and I try to avoid the apartment line. If I put two sections of the address on the same line, I separate it with a comma. I find that with the online customs forms I can avoid filling out two regular forms because I lump like items on each line, i.e. hard & soft candy/gum/mints. Plus the online customs form gives you 5 lines instead of the four you find on the hard copy form.

[valeriejean]

Thanks Mary!  And as a couple of people have said, click and ship is great!  I LOVE where you schedule a pick-up so you don't even have to go to the post office!

[eljac913 (Ship 12 Div 053)]

My boxes are packed and ready to go.  I will be sending them out tomorrow.  One girl, one boy and a decorations box.  Loved being a part of this.   

[valeriejean]

Thank you!  I know there will two VERY happy sailors and the ship will look more like home!

[MomByHeart]

Local Cub Scouts had a packing party last Thurs. They didn't have a whole of stuff, but they had a whole lot of fun! :)  They loved hearing about the ship, where it is, and how much longer till it comes home..."you mean waaaaay after Christmas??"

 

[Pat L. in IL]

So cute!! Start them early in appreciating our military!!!!

[valeriejean]

Great pictures!  Thank you for sharing!  They sure look like they are having fun!

[MJ~ Erik's mom]

Planning to send 10 -12 individual boxes. Getting together this Sunday with a local area synagogue. The students are fulfiiling a volunteer effort for the benefit of the military. They are going to decorate some pillowcases, make cards,and fill boxes with goodies. They also wanted to decorate a small inspirational stone for them to place in their pockets(their idea).

Will try to get things from the requested items. Also, have some shampoos and toiletries for the females that could go into a group box or two.

Thanks for being the mom of the month!

[valeriejean]

Thank you  MJ - those boxes will make several sailors very happy!

[eljac913 (Ship 12 Div 053)]

Hi everyone,

I sent my boxes today.  Enjoyed being a part of this.  Thank you to Valeriejean and Pat for all your advice and help for my first time.  I will continue to volunteer my services.     

[Pat L. in IL]

@eljac, Thank YOU for joining us. Wait til you see the Christmas adoption!!!!! LOL!!

[valeriejean]

Thank you eljac for help us!  I am happy to hear you will continue.  It really is kind of fun (even being the "mom of the month" once I got over my fear) and knowing that you are bringing a smile to a military member who is far from home and loved ones makes it even more special!