Major Knitter

Welcome Back Veterans!

BF and I are watching baseball tonight; the Mets just beat the Phillies.  Yeah Fernando Tatis!!!  Way to go.  Then we watched a bit of the Braves, then the Yankees vs Red Sox.  It's been great for my knitting.  The best part of all (even better than the Mets win) was seeing this amazing ad that was just launched in conjunction with Major League Baseball, the Ad Council and spokesperson Tom Hanks called Welcome Back Veterans!  Go check it out yourself.  It's very moving.

"A new generation of veterans is coming home. Make a difference for them at WelcomeBackVeterans.org." Tom Hanks

Please, whatever your personal views, please be supportive of our veterans as they return from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Veterans risk their lives to ensure that we enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.  Go ahead, hug a Marine!  (or any Veteran, for that matter).  You'll be glad you did.

Thanks Tom Hanks, MLB and the Ad Society for such a moving tribute.

Knit for Your Favorite Marine!

My Marine Corps buddy Linda sent me THIS GREAT LINK with a pattern to knit a wool helmet liner for Marines.  Remember the Red Cross knitting campaigns of days gone past?  Are you feeling a bit nostalgic?  Are you feeling a bit patriotic?  If you want to do some charity knitting that will really be appreciated, think about knitting for the Marines.

Here's the FREE PATTERN for this helmet liner.  You can knit a liner in tan, brown, black or charcoal, but Marines prefer tan.  These helmet liners will go to Marines stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

What are you waiting for!  Get your 100% wool out and start knitting your part today.

Nothing Could Be Finer Than to Be in Carolina

This weekend BF and I went to New Bern, North Carolina - specifically to the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point for a dear friend's Change of Command Ceremony

The General, Pam, Pete and Jennifer - reunited after nearly fourteen years!

Pam & Dan's southern hospitality - FRESH fish and shrimp from their front yard, plus the rest of the fixin's.

Pam framed a piece of hand-crocheted lace from each grandmother and put a little brass plate at the bottom with Grandma's name.  I thought this was a brilliant way to immortalize and honor grandma's handiwork.  Have you turned a family handicraft into an heirloom work of art on the wall?

As we left New Bern we discovered something new.  Pepsi was born in New Bern.  Who knew?  It's also home to Bosch and Moen in addition to the Marine Corps. 

You gotta love an airport that has rocking chairs in its waiting area.  The hand carved "Air Bear" is watching over my progress on my Argyle Socks.  Next time I will probably drive to Cherry Point from Connecticut as I was stuck in Atlanta overnight on Thursday night (in a hotel, fortunately) on my way to the Change of Command.  On the way home, BF and I narrowly escaped sleeping on the floor of the Atlanta, GA airport due to a wee bit of snow on the ground.  All the hotels in town were full to overflowing due to the fact that Nascar was in town.  I can't tell you enough how thrilled I was when we just managed to squeeze through the gate on the last flight headed to the Northeast for the night.  We got home by 0200 (2:00 a.m.!)  I'm pretty certain we would have been home before midnight if we had driven.  And we would have had dinner, too.

Have a Merry Christmas - That's a Direct Order

My good friend and knitting buddy (not to mention fellow Marine) - Julie - posted the best military OpOrders (Operational Orders) ordering all to have a Very Merry Christmas.  You'll have to pop on over to her blog to check it out for yourself.  Look for the post from 18 Dec 2007 at 0637.

M.E.R.R.Y...C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S!!!

Happy 231st Birthday Marines!

Today is the 231st birthday of the United States Marine Corps.  I really can't say it better than my good buddy Julie, so hop on over to her blog to get an idea why we all think that Marines are the best.

Semper fidelis!

Thank You Mommy!

This month, my son's class is bringing parents into the classroom to talk about family rituals, holiday celebrations and careers.  I asked secundo-geniture if he wanted me to talk about a) baking, b) being a Cub Scout and Boy Scout Mom, c) working on Wall Street, d) being a Mom, e) volunteering with the Westport Young Woman's League, f) knitting and blogging, or g) being a Marine.  Guess what he chose?

Today was my big day at the school.  I let the other parents go first.  They talked about being a lawyer, therapist, celebrating Hannukah and Christmas.  Cool stuff.  Fifteen minutes before the end of the day, I marched in the classroom.  I had the entire class standing at attention, marching to Marine Corps cadence (Left - left - left - right - left), saluting, looking at Marine Corps pictures, and identifying the parts of a MRE (Meal-Ready-to-East). Many of secundo-geniture's classmates were heard saying things like "Your Mom has the coolest job!"  I think he really liked that.  It was a lot of fun.

 

Happy 230th Birthday, Marines!

 

Today is the Marine Corps' 230th Birthday.  Founded in 1775, the Marine Corps has truly fought in every clime and place for 230 years defending this country's freedom.  Every year on the birthday, Marines around the world greet each other with a loud and cheerful "Happy Birthday" and with the onset of the Internet, motivational quotes, sayings, stories and greetings are passed along as well.  Here's an excerpt of one such motivational email I received today from LtCol Maureen Basham, USMC (retired).  It's a story by an anonymous U.S. Marine.  I hope you like it.

"I recently attended a Kansas City Chiefs football game at Arrowhead Stadium. It was their annual Veteran's Day tribute so members of all the services were asked to participate in the festivities.  A color guard for the National Anthem was provided by the Buffalo Soldiers Association. They looked very sharp in their 1800s-era US Army Cavalry uniforms.

Following that, the Navy parachute team put on an impressive display that brought cheers from the 78,000 football fans in attendance. Shortly thereafter, we were treated to the truly awesome sight of an Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flyover as well as a few other aircraft.  All of these sights -- but especially the B-2 -- were truly appreciated by the crowd who let it be known by their cheers.

I expected that was all we would see of the US Military that day.  I thought we would see a high school or college marching band during half-time. Few watch those shows anyway because they have to go to the head or grab another beer during the intermission.

Shortly before half-time, however, I looked down on the sidelines near the end zone and saw the Marine Corps' Silent Drill Team forming up.  As the half-time show started, the players left the field and the announcer came on the public address system to advise us of the Drill Team's performance.  Many of us Marines have seen these performances in the past and they're always awe-inspiring. I didn't  expect that the large civilian crowd of football fans would be as appreciative of the Drill Team as they
had been of the high-tech B-2 or the daring of the Navy parachute team.  However, I was on the edge of my seat.  As the Drill Team marched onto the field, the crowd grew noticeably quieter.  Soon, the team was fully into their demonstration. The stadium was absolutely silent.

From high in the stands' upper reaches where my seats were, I was able to hear the "snap" and "pop" of hands striking rifles.  Both big screen "Jumbotron" scoreboards displayed close ups of the Marines as they went through their routine. As they completed their demonstration and lined up for the inspection, the crowd began cheering as the Marines twirled their rifles in impossible fashion.  Then came the inspection.  Again, the crowd fell silent and watched intently as rifles were thrown, caught, twirled, inspected and thrown some more. Each well-practiced feat brought a "wow" or "did you see that?" from those sitting around me.

I sat there in silent pride as I watched my brother Marines exit the field.  A young girl behind me asked her mother a question about how the Marines learn to do the things they just did. The mother replied, "They practice long and hard and they're Marines; they're the best."

Semper Fidelis and Happy 230th Birthday!

For another great Marine Corps birthday message - sent to me by GySgt Jolynn Owens, click here.

Major Dollar News!

Look what a friend of mine, retired Sergeant Major Ron Genet, sent me today.  It's great news from the US Mint to honor all Marines - past and present.

This year, the United States proudly honors the Marine Corps and all Marines who have sacrificed and contributed in our Nation’s service. Public Law 108-291, signed August 6, 2004, authorizes the minting of a Silver Dollar to commemorate the 230th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.

On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the raising of two battalions of American Marines, thereby creating the legendary institution today known as the United States Marine Corps. From the Nation’s birth to the present day, the Marines represent a proud culture of service and contribution in defense of the values and freedoms at the heart of the American experience.

According to the United States Marine Corps Hymn, Marines have "fought in ev’ry clime and place" throughout our Nation’s history. The story of the Marine Corps is the personification of American military history beginning with the American Revolution. The flag raising at Iwo Jima, represented at the Marine Corps War Memorial, is ingrained in the public mind as perhaps the enduring image of World War II.

Today, the Marines continue to exemplify the warrior ethos that has made it a fighting force of international repute. The philosophy of the Corps—and of the hundreds of thousands of individuals who have earned the title "Marine" over the last 230 years—is simply stated in its core values: Honor. Courage. Commitment.

Coins offered in both proof and uncirculated condition may be issued under this Act only during the one-year period beginning January 1, 2005.

Surcharges from the sale of each coin are authorized for the creation of the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia, which is being developed as a partnership of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and the United States Marine Corps.

Coins are tentatively scheduled to be released in summer 2005.

Happy 229th Birthday, Marine Corps!

On this date in 1775 the United States Marine Corps was born.  Won't you please join me is wishing every Marine a happy birthday? 

Happy Birthday Marines!

God bless and godspeed to all Americans serving in Iraq and Afghanistan at this time. 

Semper fidelis!