Military moms have plenty of 'care' to spare

Sometimes, a little ray of happiness shines on your day unexpectedly; like this email I got from Marine Mom Janice who described the last homecoming for HMM 166:

“Another Marine Mom, Sarah, with a son on the Bonhomme Richard sent me the link to your blog & 'A Son's Story' slide show. She said I should check it out because she saw my son's name listed on the board & she knew my son was in the same unit as
Daniel. Not only are they in the same unit/squadron, but they are very goodfriends. Since Daniel & Ashley had Andrew over for BBQ's & other dinners & they'hang out' together, I wanted to meet him.

I had arrived at the hangar at 7:30am and watched as all their gear was unloaded. Since Andrew was arriving by bus with his Dad, (he was on the Tiger Cruise) I had a l-o-n-g wait & spent quite a bit of time looking at all the names on the gear. I was looking for Andrew's but found out later he had it with him.

I located Daniel's and after the squadron arrived for their homecoming, I kept checking to see if they were still there. My heart sank when I saw they were gone the last time I checked. I thought I had missed meeting him. Then I looked over by the wall & saw his pack. He had moved it over there & had taken his sea bag out to his vehicle. So I stood right by it & waited. I introduced myself & gave him a welcome home hug. I could tell they were in a hurry but asked if I could take their picture before they left. Andrew and his Dad arrived later, after almost everyone else was gone.

And now they are gone again.”

Thank you, Janice, for caring. But there will be another homecoming, and this time, I will be looking for her son’s sea bag.

--Tiffany

Photos from Janice:


Last year's ball, Daniel on left, Andrew on right, not sure in the middle!

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From Proud Navy Mom, Sandee:

Here's a pic of Micah re-enlisting for another 4 years on Sunday, October 18, 2009. Re-enlistment was aboard the USS Harry S. Truman by his Lieutenant.

Congratulations, Micah!

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Around the military:
courtesy of the DoD, click for the weekly slideshow

U.S. Army paratroopers prepare to load into a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during an air-assault mission to detain a known militant in the Bermel district of Paktika province, Afghanistan, Oct. 13, 2009. The paratroopers are assigned the 25th Infantry Division's Company B, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Andrya Hill

U.S. Army Spc. Slagle Justin returns to Forward Operating Base Lane in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter after an air assault mission in Tacome valley in Zabul province, Afghanistan, Oct. 15, 2009. Justin is asiigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Tia P. Sokimson


A U.S. Marine with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit fast-ropes out a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter onto the flight deck of the dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) underway in the Pacific Ocean on Oct. 14, 2009. The Rushmore, part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, is transiting through the U.S. Seventh Fleet area of operations and reports to the Commander, Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sarah E. Bitter, U.S. Navy. (Released)