January Adoption USS Gonzalez

[PAM (GM MOM)]

 

 

Our adoption this month is the USS Gonzalez a guided missile destroyer.  The ship is named for Sgt. Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez a Medal of Honor recipient in the Vietnam War.  The Gonzalez is a small ship with a crew of 270 ( 180 males and 90 females ).

My POC has informed me that because of their mission they will not see many port visits.  Supplies are only replenished once a month and the ship store is very tiny.  Also because of the way in which they receive shipments boxes may take a beating.  so we need to use plenty of tape and bag items that could be damaged if they were to get wet.

 

     The ship's chaplain has requested greeting cards that the sailors can send home to Moms, Dads, Wives and kids.  They really need Birthday cards for kids of all ages.  Cards of all sorts are helpful.  In addition the Chaplain has also asked for childrens books.  The ship runs a program called United through Reading that allows sailors to record videos of them reading books to be sent home.  Childrens books for all ages are needed.

 

     Their wish list consist of the following

 

dried fruit

granola bars

energy bars

water flavor packs

coffee!!!!!!!!!!

any and all snacks

candy and gum

chips of all kinds

beef jerky

microwavable meals/soups/mac&cheese/popcorn

cookies/brownies

magazines/puzzle books

any toilertries

 

Pillow cases are ok

 

     My POC would like to have Mardi Gras decorations!!!

 

     So come on Navy Moms lets give them a MARDI GRAS PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     I'm thinking mask and beads and whatever our Navy Moms minds can come up with!!!!!!

     We will be shipping the week of the 21st

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Great job! I agree, they are very pretty girls!

[carols_kitchen]

A Bravo Zulu to them!

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

PAM, I just mailed 4 boxes. one was pillowcases and the other three where micro meals, mac-n-cheese cups, individual cups of peanut butter, granola bars, drink mix, gum, applesauce (in ziploc bags) 10 or so books for the United Thru Reading program, PopTarts, crackers and I stuck in a box of lense wipes.

[PAM (GM MOM)]

Thanks Kim and I agree very pretty girls.  Great job on the pillowcases!!!!!!!!

[Gulf Coast Mom]

Mailed a box out this morning. Had gum,sour gummies, puzzle books with pens and pencils several packs of note cards and quite a few birthday cards and 12 rolls of mentos.

[carols_kitchen]

How did my 2 boxes turn in to 4?  Let the POC know that my books when media rate--quite a sizable box for only $9.75.   Would have taken 2 flat rate boxes to hold them.  But it is s-l-o-w to go media rate.

[NJ Navy Mom Ship 03 Div 115]

i sent a box of childrens books, hot chocolate and a ton of snacks

[Pat L. in IL]

Nice job, ladies!! Thank you!

[valeriejean]

Box with pillowcases and 4 other boxes with candy, snacks, blank cards, mardi gras bead shipped yesterday

[PAM (GM MOM)]

Great ladies, thank yhou so much, I'm sure thet will have a great Mardi Gras party.

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

Tissue Alert!

First of all let me say that when I send care packages I never expect to get anything in return but OH MY GOODNESS did I get a blessing this morning! I received this email and I have not quit tearing up thinking about all those out there who need our momma love!

 

Kim,

First, thank you for sending your email address so that I could drop you a note of thanks electronically.   I gave your package to our Navigator, who did not receive anything in this mail call.  You got to take care of the guy who makes sure you don't get lost in the middle of the Ocean. That is a pretty big job for a 24 year old.

I had about 50 packages stacked up in a pile for me from Molly's.  And as Sailors walked by they would comment "Someone must really love you". I would ask them if they got anything in the mail, many times the answer was No.   And then I would hand them a package and say "Someone at home loves you"
 
Thank you for making that possible!   May you find unexpected blessings for your generous spirit and your devotion to these young men and women.

PS.  I was one of the Sailors that did not get mail this time. My husband is caring for our three children (10,7,2) and often times he doesn't have time to send packages in his day. So, you brightened my day too!

Very Respectfully,

XXXXXXXX ,
USN

USS GONZALEZ DDG 66

"If you tell the truth, you have infinite power supporting you; but if not, you have infinite power against you"
-Charles Gordon

 

[carols_kitchen]

I have a group of Scouts who have been helping out every year with at least one adoption.  they have been disappointed that they have not received any letters.  This time, they got 6 thank yous from the ship, one from the Chaplin, and then this from the Commander.  They are really impressed.  I will have a pix of some of the group at a later date when I present them their letter and challenge coin!  Whoop whoop for our future leaders of all kinds who emerge from our Scouting programs :)