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.

[Kat (MM Nuke)]

Received this lovely email from one of the sailors that I sent an individual box for.  So heartwarming.

Dear XXXXXX Family,

Thank you so much for the care package that you sent. It really was a surprise when I received it because it was unexpected. I have to say you guys really know how to pack a box! A lot of the People in my division got jealous when I went through it (not to worry I shared with everyone as much as I could). But the most important thing is about your care package is that it reminded me that there are people back home that care about us out here, and it gives us the strength to care on. So I want to thank you, and in my mind you guys are truly heroes. I wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season.

            Very Respectfully,

            XXXXXXXXXXXX

[Pat L. in IL]

LOVE it! Thanks for sharing Kat!!

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Thank you for sharing! It just puts things in perspective that what we do DOES make a difference!

[valeriejean]

Thanks for sharing your emails ladies!  I am so glad we were able to help them!