| |
| |
| Fit to Fight |
| Support our Troops |
|
|
| |
| |
| Having a reliable, portable, safe supply of food for our troops is as valuable a weapon as the weapons they carry for protection. Some say the outcome of the U.S. Civil War was in part decided by which side could adequately feed and supply their troops. The North had the advantage as their soldiers on the march were provided with condensed milk and canned vegetables. However the Confederates had plenty of fresh produce, grains and meat from Southern farms, but did not have an easy way to transport these items to the battle sites once railroads were destroyed. |
| |
| So what about our troops today who are deployed to Afghanistan and other dangerous, remote areas of the world where conditions are harsh and austere? These troops are provided with two MREs (Meals-Ready-to-Eat) a day and bottled water. With no running water, electricity, food markets or pharmacies, our troops often go without the things we take for granted. The energy and calories they consume in their duties exceed the protein and calories in an MRE. Aside from eating healthy it is essential that they drink an ample amount of water to stay hydrated which is especially important with the HOT summer months. An article in the Chicago Tribune stated that Marines on foot patrols in Afghanistan had lost as much as 40 pounds each on a diet of just MREs. |
| |
| Some of the food items most requested by our troops are shown below. Small individual packets or cans are requested for ease in transporting on missions. |
| |
| Beef Jerky |
| Peanut Butter/Cheese Crackers |
| Tuna/Chicken Packets |
| Sugarless gum |
| Nuts, Sunflower Seeds |
| Protein Bars (GNC) |
| Trail Mix |
| Electrolyte powdered drink mix(Individual size Gatorade, Emergen-C & Propel) |
| Canned Fruit |
| |
| You can help make a difference in the life of our military! Please join us in our "Fit to Fight" protein food drive. Contact us today and let us know if your organization, school or business would like to join us in this effort. The drive is on-going until they all come home. For more information please contact one of our Moms. |
| |
| Drop off sites include: |
| |
| KVF Car Audio |
| 2311 Shaver St |
| Pasadena,TX |
|
| |
| Harley-Davidson of the Woodlands |
| 25545 I-45 North |
| The Woodlands, TX 77380 |
| |
| Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center |
| 16225 Lexington Blvd. |
| Sugar Land, TX 77479 |
| |
| Churchill's Sports Bar and Grill |
| 16687 W. Airport Blvd. |
| Sugar Land, TX 77498 |
| |
| Sugar Land City Hall |
| 2700 Town Center Blvd. North |
| Sugar Land, TX 77479 |
| |
| First Tire Automotive-Greatwood-281-343-5666 |
| 20015 Southwest Fwy |
| Sugar Land,TX |
|
| |
| First Tire Automotive-First Colony-281-980-2666 |
| 2303 Williams Trace Blvd |
| Sugar Land,TX |
|
| |
| First Tire Automotive-Eldridge-281-313-2886 |
| 960 eldridge Rd |
| Sugar Land,TX |
|
| Until they all come home, |
| Houston Marine Moms |
| |
|
| |
| OPERATION: SOCK IT TO 'EM |
| |
|
|
| |
| Drop off locations for DARK socks (no white socks please, they are not allowed): |
| |
| Katy Budget Books |
| 2450 Fry Rd |
| Houston, TX 77084 |
| |
| Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center |
| 16225 Lexington Blvd |
| Sugar Land, TX 77479 |
| |
| Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex |
| 8220 Willow Place Drive North |
| Houston, TX 77070 |
| |
| Churchill's Bar and Grill |
| 16687 West Airport Blvd |
| Sugar Land, TX 77498 |
| |
| Don McGill Toyota |
| 21555 Katy Frwy |
| Katy, TX 77450 |
| |
| Don McGill Toyota |
| 11800 Old Katy Rd. |
| Houston, TX 77079 |
| |
| Wilson Mohr |
| 12610 W. Airport Blvd. #100 |
| Sugarland, TX 77478 |
| |
| First Tire Automotive-Greatwood-281-343-5666 |
| 20015 Southwest Fwy |
| Sugar Land,TX |
|
| |
| First Tire Automotive-First Colony-281-980-2666 |
| 2303 Williams Trace Blvd |
| Sugar Land,TX |
|
| |
| First Tire Automotive-Eldridge-281-313-2886 |
| 960 eldridge Rd |
| Sugar Land,TX |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| You can make a difference in a life today. |
| Along with collecting donations of supplies, we also offer the opportunity to adopt a care package. |
| For $20 you can adopt a care package to help pay for the postage. We also encourage each donor to include a note that we will put inside one of the care packages that we send to our Deployed Troops. |
| We also have 91st Psalms bandanas if you would like to sponsor one to be sent to our deployed troops. |
| |
| |
| List of Items Most Requested |
| |
| Letters From Home |
| |
| Food Items – High Protein (No Pork) |
| Beef Jerky/Slim Jims |
| Tuna/Chicken Packets/Protein |
| Powdered Protein Drink Mix (“On the go” type, Single Servings) |
| High Power Bars |
| Tubes of Peanut butter (no large jars please) |
| Cheese Crackers/Nuts |
| |
| Personal Care Items |
| Adult Disposable Wash Cloths (has soap that does not need to be rinsed off) |
| Hand Sanitizer (small) |
| Dark Cotton Tube/Crew Socks |
| Gold Bond Foot Powder (small/travel) |
| Sunscreen (small/travel) |
| Lip Balm |
| Mach 3 Razors |
| |
| |
Letters and donations can be mailed to:
Pasadena South Rotary/Houston Marine Moms
PO Box 5743
Pasadena, TX 77508 |
| |
| God Bless America. Please continue to pray for the safe return of our Troops, |
| Until they ALL come home. |
| |
| Houston Marine Moms |
| (For more information please contact one of our Moms) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
|
Through the Eyes of a Houston Marine Mom
|
| |
|
Amid the Marine Corp flags flying from neighborhood yards and Army stickers affixed to automobiles, there lays a bond unspoken by mothers around the world. We stand in solidarity with our troops and we become ever more committed to rallying support for them and their missions
|
| |
|
Not a day goes by without thoughts of concern, pride, uncertainty, heartache, joy and remembering our sons and daughters. Houston Marine Moms describe below in their own words, what it means to be a Houston Marine Mom and the mother of a young man or woman serving in the U. S. Military.
|
| |
|
God Bless them until they ALL come home.
|
| |
|
PROUD TO BE FROM TEXAS
|
|
|
|
| |
Sanity is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of what the Houston Marine Mom organization has meant to me. I joined this organization right after my youngest son left for Boot Camp not really knowing what to expect. I think back on how I felt at that particular time in my life and I really was a mess. I got up every morning and some how got through the day, but all I could think of was my son and how broken hearted I felt not to have him home, to hear his voice, to just hold him and not ever let him go. I remember going into his room and getting his cologne and spraying it through the house just to have the smell of him around me. I began to read the emails from this group and realize that I was not alone in this fight. There were other Mothers and Fathers going through the same thing that I was going through. I began to take on this incredible sense of pride in what my son was doing for his country. I remember counting down the days to graduation, day by day I marked off the Matrix. I was supported, comforted, and loved by the wonderful people of this group. I could not wait to get back from graduation and share my experience and feelings of those two unbelievable days with all the Moms that had got me through those long twelve weeks of Boot Camp. The day that I saw by baby boy turn into a lean, proud, strong United States Marine will be one of the highlights of my life. I owe so much to this organization and the many wonderful people that I have met here. My son who is now a Corporal is stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. He is a husband, proud father of a beautiful baby girl and a very proud Marine. We have been blessed so far in the fact that he has not been deployed. I pray every day that he is not sent over to Iraq or Afghanistan. I pray every day for all the sons and daughters of this group and everyone else in this crazy war that their children will come home safely, both physically and mentally. I thank everyone in the Houston Marine Moms that have supported the new comers, the Mothers who feel like their hearts have been ripped out of their bodies because their children have decided to make this decision that not only affects their lives but everyone that loves them.
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR YOUR LOVE, YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR MANY COUNTLESS HOURS OF WORK TO SUPPORT OUR BELOVED YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN.,
I am indeed proud to be a part of the Houston Marine Moms.
|
| |
Lucy
VPMM of Cpl Zach
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
Well it is an opportunity for me to be with a group of well supported sisters who ALL know what each other is going through, where we can cry, laugh, smile, work together for a common goal. GET OUR CHILDREN HOME AND SAFE. Being able to unite to help each other and support each other. We are a force to be reckoned with. Nothing can stop us. A organization where we make new friends and life long new family members. Thank you for organizating this Group.
We now have a place to belong.
|
| |
Karan M.
VPM-
Donald K.- Marine- Camp Pendleton, CA
Jamila M.- Army – IRAQ
Maurice X.
|
| |
|
| |
|
When I first joined HMMO, my first Marine was in boot camp and I whined and cried in the midst of a million questions. I saw these beautiful strong, proud women and wondered how they did it. But with time and support from them, I began to understand a little more. These women never judged me or thought I was silly, even though my son was just in boot camp and later stationed stateside. Many of them had sons in or that had been in Iraq. They just encouraged me, supported me, cried with me, laughed with me (or was that at me??), answered my million questions and understood my feelings when no one else could. Being alone was one thing, but I did not have anyone around me to understand the feelings of a mom whose children became Marines. People told me to be proud, and I was. They said my boys would be ok, which I knew and wanted to believe. But the HMMO knew what I was feeling and let me know it was ok to feel it.
|
| |
|
Now, I get so much strength from this group. Being a single parent and a homeschooling mom of 6 kids, I poured my life into my kids. When my youngest, identical twins, became Marines in 2005, they left me with an empty nest and no one to care for. It was a difficult adjustment to make, made more difficult by them becoming Marines. HMMO has given me an outlet for all those feelings. When I work for and with HMMO, I am caring for my sons and for everyone else’s children too.
|
| |
|
It has been an honor to meet and become one of these strong women and to support our military. The day I stood in the recruiter’s office, yelling at him for recruiting my sons, I thank God he stood and handed me the HMMO card with Becky Williams name on it. He just wanted me to shut up and leave, but that card changed my world. Now the recruiting office has my cards. OOOH RAH Houston Marine Moms!! Semper Fi!!!
|
| |
Judy Burns
VPMM LCpl Eric
VPMM LCpl Erin
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
The HMMS have given me an outlet in which to help our servicemen and women in a much greater capacity than trying to do so single handed. The feeling of helplessness for a mom during their son's deployments can be daunting; but through packings and fund raising, donations and relationship building, this organization has proven itself to be very effective in bringing out the best, the core strength, and the courage in our members. It has given us an outlet for our energies and our need to help. It has proven to be a Godsend to those who are left at home, and to those who serve. In reading the thank-you notes from those who have received a box, it is clear to see that the HMMs have provided, and will continue to provide a much welcomed "piece of home" to those who have sworn to protect and defend.
|
| |
|
The HMMs have been my dearest friends and sisters for about 4 years now. They've carried me through my son's 2 deployments to Iraq, and through 2 extremely difficult funerals for his Marine brothers in arms. This organization has worked me to death on a few occasions, given me the extreme courage to meet my own fears head on, caused me to make a total fool of myself with reckless abandon, and has made me laugh until I cried hundreds of times. The emotional bond that I feel with the other members is something that is beyond words. Just a hug or a simple note from someone that had been down that same trail before, or one that was walking that trail with me now – it has meant the difference between a day lost in tears and fears, or a day full of courage and faith. Just as our sons and daughters watch each other's backs, defend each other, and take care of each other . . .so do the Houston Marine Moms. We leave no one behind, and will carry our sisters in our hearts, in our prayers, and if needed, in our arms for as long as is necessary. Just as our sons are a Band of Brothers, we ARE a Band of Mothers.
|
| |
|
God's grace to you all. I am blessed to have you in my life.
|
| |
-Kathi
VPMM Cpl Garrett
Coronado Naval Base
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Being the mother of a Marine and a member of the Houston Marine Moms organization go hand in hand and both exhibit a pride that few will ever understand or come to know.
|
| |
|
Happiest Moment: Standing on the grounds of Pearl Harbor along with my friend Kathi waving the Texas Flag and wearing our Houston Marine Mom t-shirts as the USS Duluth arrived bringing my son Josh and Kathi’s son Garrett home from their first tour in Iraq.
|
| |
|
Second Happiest Moment: Greeting Josh and Garrett once again but this time at Camp Pendleton as they arrived home from their second tour in Iraq. Of course Kathi and I were there once again to wave the Texas Flag, receive the first hugs and share that first shot of Tequila with so many brave young men.
|
| |
|
Saddest Moments: They say that “no news is good news”. Well, that saying doesn’t make it any easier when you wait hours, days and weeks before you get that long awaited call home from Iraq and finally hear the words “Hi Mom”. I’ve found that it doesn’t get any easier whether it is the first tour or the third tour…..you still need the comfort that only another Marine Mom can give. She alone will understand when no one else can because you have lived it together.
|
| |
|
To those who have a son or daughter serving…..God bless them and keep them safe. For those who need a helping hand or shoulder to lean on….a Houston Marine Mom is the answer.
|
| |
Sandy Lee
Proud Mother of Cpl James Joshua
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
To my Military family,
|
| |
|
My dad was a former Marine with the 1st Marine Divison, served in the Korean War and earned his Purple Heart at the Chosin Reservoir Campaign, serving under Chesty Puller. It was a campaign where the conditions were so severe, thousands of Marines died, not only from enemy fire, but from the cold as well, and a small number (relatively) survived. He was one of the “Chosin Few”, as the survivors came to be known as. Your Marines will know all about it, it was drilled into them in boot camp. When Travis found out my dad was a Chosin survivor, he was greatly disappointed that he would never be able to meet him. You see, my dad passed away in August, 2000.
|
| |
|
When my mom was preparing for his funeral, she wanted an Honor Guard to stand at my dad’s side. She was told they have to come out of California and, as the funeral was in Texas, that was going to be difficult. As a last resort, she called the local Marine Recruiter’s office, told him about my dad and asked if there was anything they could do. Coincidentally, there was a young Marine, passing through town from California who, when he heard about my dad, thought it an honor to delay his trip and offered to “stand guard” at my dad’s side. When he came and presented the flag to my mother, he had placed on top of it a “not yet released” Korean War medal he was taking to a relative. He wanted her to have it. After the service, when my mother thanked him for standing guard, his response was, “Oh no, Ma’am, it was my honor, we take care of our own.”
|
| |
|
After Dad died, my Mom received countless calls, emails and letters from other retired Marines checking on her and offering care and support. They were “taking care of their own”. Dad loved the Marine Corps. After he got out, which he always regretted, he held a civilian job for many years until God called Him to be a Pastor for the last 30 years of his life. He often compared the Marine Corps to God’s family and always said the Church should be more like the Marine Corps because “they take care of their own”. I have seen this evidenced time, after time, after time. |
| |
|
I can’t tell you how special you all have made me feel here over the past few years. You all made me feel like part of the family even though I was just a Marine mother-in-law at the time and even now, as an “Air Force” Mom. Working with you all, side by side sending out packages of love to our deployed servicemen/women, seeing the support from our wonderful Houstonians, welcoming returning Marines home from war, and honoring those who have given their all, will be a time in my life I will never forget. As, over the years, I have attended the funerals of our fallen Marines, I was often reminded, over and over again, the Marine family “takes care of their own”. It changed me forever. At a time when my children were in that stage of life moving into adulthood and starting their own lives, I needed “family” and you all were there for me. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful organization and for being my “family” all these years.
|
| |
Most humbly,
Becky
|
| |
|
| |
|
My very first meeting with the Houston Marine Moms was at the Starbucks in early 2003. My son was soon to be deploying to Kuwait and await the Presidents orders to enter Iraq. Up until this point, I had only the support of my husband, also a former Marine and my mom, a former Army wife. I was brought up as an Army brat but being the daughter of a military man is very different than being a MOM ! When I was a kid, I saw my mom glued to the TV as she watched the news stories about Viet Nam. I wrote letters to Daddy, and talked into the cassette tapes Mom sent to him to update him with our daily news. But none of this prepared me for the aching and gaping hole that I would feel in my heart when my son went to Iraq for two tours in 2003 and 2004. I thought boot camp was bad, but when he went to war I could not eat, drink or sleep. I just sat in front of the tv watching the news day and night. My husband tried to reassure me that he was trained the best from the USMC and that he was doing what he wanted to do. How he would go and join up, if he were not too old to do so, said with a smile. In my mind, I knew he was right, but in my heart, I was scared too death. |
| |
The HMM welcomed me with open arms, gave me a place to vent my fears and share my news when the letters came and really celebrate when a phone call came! Each day I can hop online, read the daily news of the other Moms and their Marines. Monthly meetings ,sending packages, walking in the Veterans Day Parade all give us ways to connect with the other Moms. When my son came home on leave, I take him with me to the meetings to share his experiences and to give and receive all the hugs from the Moms. Friends and family try to be supportive, but I know these Moms and Dads really know what I am going thru. They understand the anxiety , the highs and the lows. They are always ready with a smile, a hug, a wink, and the sense of pride we all have for our Marines!
Thank you Jay and Kay! |
| |
Debra
Proud Marine Mom of Sgt Dan
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
We are the Vietnam generation. Our brothers, sisters, cousins and friends fought and were forever changed by a war that aroused strong feelings on both sides. Now our children are the ones in the trenches, and we will not allow what happened to our generation to happen to our children. They are all volunteers. They are supported and loved and welcomed home with signs and hugs and cheers. No more sneaking back into town to be reviled, spat upon and called names. I don’t know what changed things (9-11 perhaps, but I am not so sure that that is all of it) but the world of military parents is much bigger than it was back then. The advent of the internet has brought together people from all backgrounds, education levels, economic levels and ethnic groups into communities who share and support. We laugh, cry, celebrate and mourn together, often without ever meeting face to face. We have members who regale us with wonderfully written stories that everyone looks forward to, and we have ‘lurkers’ who read every day, send birthday cards, letters of support and condolences but don’t write much.
|
| |
|
Our children volunteered, but we were drafted. We deal with it the best way we can, and we deal with it together. I was ready for a padded room when my daughter left for boot camp – 3 days after her high school graduation. If I hadn’t found the Houston Marine Moms, I don’t know how I would have done it. Then, my son announced that he, too, was joining up right out of high school. The Moms have been there with me every step of the way. My daughter is now out, but my son is looking at his first deployment. I thank God every day that I have this group of strong, resilient women to turn to. Come later this summer, I will need them more than ever.
|
| |
Vicki B
Proud Marine Mom of (former LCpl)Alexandra and Cpl Ned
|
| |
|
| |
H -Heaven must really be missing some angels, as the song goes...
O -Outstanding women, they all really are.
U -Utmost caring and loving is what I can always sense,
S -Sweet and compassionate, in every little way.
T -Trials and tests come to each one of these dames…
O -Overly protective...they all are, so don’t mess with them.
N -Noble gals, you will see..once you get to know them, even me!
|
| |
M -Magical are their ways in coming up with ideas for anything…
A -Awesome are their wits and thoughts, if I may say.
R -Rally behind you, is what they will always do…
I -Intelligent and strong women, just what the world needs, and so do you.
N -Nurturing women, especially to those who are very new to this kind of roller-coaster ride,
E -Emotion filled emails starts...and ends their busy, but fulfilling day, as they glide.
|
| |
M -Mischievous in some ways, but that’s where the fun begins…
O -Outrageous!!! As one mom always says…and I say, bring it all in.
M -Military life, we will always have...as mothers, wives, sisters, aunts or just friends….
S -Steadfast we will always be…till they all come home…or till time ends.
|
| |
Misty :)
VPMM of Cpl Jed, OIF
|
| |
|
| |
|
