Major Knitter

Christmas with the Marines

This weekend was a fabulous holiday extravaganza.  After a late night in the city, I woke up very early to prepare for my annual Toys for Tots Christmas Party with the ladies from the Women Marines Association.  We meet in East Hartford several times a year and it's another one of the highlights of my year. 

This year I made each member her very own Toy Marine out of a wooden clothespin.

Dottie (93), Aggie (93), Carolyn, Adele, Rosena, Rita, Jane, Donna and Jennifer with our Toys for Tots collections for children in Connecticut.  

While many people are familiar with Toys for Tots, few people know that it's a Marine Corps Reserve program.

But the best gift of all was this surprise visit from Helen (95) who came by to say Merry Christmas and drop off her donation for Toys for Tots.  Check out this amazing group of WWII Marines.  What a treasure!

Helen, Aggie and Dottie are true treasures.  Semper fidelis ladies.  Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday Baby!

For BF's birthday each year we try to take a road trip and watch the Mets play somewhere fun and exciting.  It's great fun and we really get to see parts of the country by way of a road trip that we wouldn't otherwise discover.  This year the Mets played the Orioles in nearby Baltimore, Maryland, so our road trip was not the big pilgrimage like other years.  So instead of the "Great American Road Trip" ("GART") as I've dubbed the last few year's trips, this was more of a one night "Good American Road Trip" - but it was great just the same.  Even though we were only gone for two days, we really enjoyed Baltimore's inner harbor.  We got up early in the morning and drove six hours (with stops, of course) to Baltimore, checked into our hotel and walked around the inner harbor and explored Baltimore.  

BF is not much of a seaman, so we avoided all the wonderful museums aboard ships.  They look like great fun - and I would definitely put them on a list for touring for those who do not get seasick just hearing the word "water" - so instead of a ship museum, we meandered down the street and chose to visit the Star Spangled Banner Flag House where the huge flag was sewn and flown over Fort McHenry in 1814 (oddly enough, during the Battle of 1812) which inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the lyrics to our National Anthem.

Here's a great view of the Pickersgill Flag House and the museum in the background.  You can read more about it on the Baltimore Heritage site.  We got there late in the day but had a wonderful time watching the brief film, touring the house (I *love* historic old houses!) and learning about a bit of Americana.  BF even noted that I somehow managed to wrap a "textile, historical, military, and gun stop with a strong female lead" on our mini-GART.  

 After a little rest, we walked to the Oriole Park at Camden Yards early so we could walk around, see everything, and eat before the game.  I learned that this ballpark was the first to really think outside the box and create a pleasing downtown stadium, blending the old and the new, creating an ambience for fans with shops and restaurants for a full game experience.  BF and I go to a lot of ballgames and I think that this is my favorite ballpark to date.  Additionally we had great seats (not amazing - but great) and they did not cost a fortune.  That's the way a ball game should be.  You should be able to take the family and root for your favorite team without breaking the bank.

The game was very exciting from the very first inning.  We stayed until the bitter end when the Orioles hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th to win the game.  Disappointing -- yes.  Great game -- that too.

But the best part of all was stopping to visit friends on the way home.  We stopped in Media, Pennsylvania to see a dear friend from BF's college days.  We arrived early - as usual - so we walked around a bit and stumbled upon the Pennsylvania Veteran's Museum in the old Armory (and underneath Trader Joe's).   It was very well done and it even had some great representation of Women in the Military.  I especially loved the female Sergeant Major's uniform (with a more current photo attached on the lapel).  Who was this woman?  I'd like to know.  

Some have suggested it was SgtMaj Grace Carle.  I think that would be pretty darned cool.  Unfortunately, the uniform wasn't identified on the display - just this photo dangling from a lapel pin with no name.  Of course, I didn't think to look on the inside collar of the uniform.  Maybe if I thought I could have gotten away with it, I would have!

After our visit in Media, we drove to downtown Philadelphia to meet with BF's 4th grade teacher.  So.much.fun.  We shared stories and memories and had a great time.  We were also very fortunate to avoid the rainstorms as we were walking around during the day.  I took some great pictures of the visits, but BF's rule is "no pictures of BF on the blog" so you'll just have to trust me that everyone looked wonderful.  It was a fantastic, albeit brief, Great American Road Trip.  I can't wait to find out where the Mets will be playing next year.  I'm quietly rooting for a game against the Atlanta Braves or the Florida Marlins next August so we can plan a week-long Southern US trip.  Scratch that.  We could fill in a two-week long trip to stop and visit everyone and everything I want to see from Florida to Philadelphia!  

Let's Go Mets!



 

 

Chicken Soup. It's What's for Breakfast.

Drat.  Today is Veteran's Day and a day I look forward to each year.  Our local middle school invites all the local veterans to come speak to the 8th grade class.  Unfortunately, yesterday I came down with a bad cold/flu (OK - I can never really tell the difference).  I've been on a round the clock regimen of Kleenex, hot tea with honey, lots of citrus, homemade chicken dumpling soup, lots of sleep, NyQuil and DayQuil... and yet I still need to stay home today.

In fact, I'm even having homemade chicken soup for breakfast.  

I'm so disappointed that I can't make the Veterans Day festivities at the middle school, especially because I've been working so hard to recruit other female veterans to join me.  I sent them a message letting them know I can't make it.  But I'm still really bummed.  I hope they'll still have fun and do a great job.  I was the first female veteran to speak when I went my first time three years ago.  I know the young girls enjoyed hearing from a female veteran.  I know they'll love hearing from Carolyn and Melinda.

So now I'm going back to bed to beat this cold and flu bug.  

Happy Veterans Day to all my fellow Marines, Sailors, Airmen, Soldiers and Coasties.  I love seeing everyone's photos on Facebook... especially those that post pictures of their parents or grandparents (and especially grandmothers) in uniform from days of old.  Thank you all for serving our country.  It's what makes us such a great nation.

Band of Sisters

This year I joined the Women Marines Association.  Yesterday was my second meeting.  We have a small chapter, but size doesn't matter.  The camaraderie, stories and history these ladies possess is worth more than gold.

These ladies served in the Marine Corps in the 1940s (yes, that's correct!) 60s and 70s then there's me who served in the 90s and 00s.  

I'm trying to reach out to new members.  If you are interested in learning more - please contact me and I'll put you in touch with the right people.  If you're in Connecticut, I'm especially interested to know you as I'd like to increase our membership in our local chapter.

Semper fidelis ladies.  I am proud to call you sisters.

Bruised for a Good Cause

Yesterday I went to a unique fundraiser for our local Connecticut Yankee Council Boy Scouts.  It was a Clay Shooting Sports event.  I tried to get a foursome of ladies to partcipate, but no luck.  There were 3 ladies shooting at the event.  

I've never been to a clay shooting sports event.  I've done the shotgun shooting merit badge with the Scouts before and tried my hand at it.  But as my partner for the day yesterday pointed out to me, "You hold the shotgun like it's an M-16"  Well, yes, all my training with firearms has been in the Marine Corps, so that would make perfect sense.  Another Range Safety Officer, and fellow Marine, at one of the stations pointed out that I needed to keep both eyes open for shotgun shooting.  That made a huge difference.  

This is my brother-at-arms, Leo and me.  Two Marines at the shooting clays event.  Look at that elbow nice and high.

This was my best station with the first clay coming over my left shoulder and the second clay coming from the right.  It was great fun.

It was empowering to see the clays being shattered to smithereens.

I must confess, I'm not much of a shotgun shooter.  In fact, I don't actually own a gun.  I borrowed my friend and one of the event organizer's 12-gauge shotgun (it was a beauty!) and got tips from each station's range safety officer.  I didn't win any prizes for my shotgun skills (or lack thereof), nor did I win any of the incredible raffle prizes, but I had a fabulous time, enjoyed a gorgeous day outdoors in Connecticut and came away with this little beauty...

 

Ain't she a beauty?  Oddly enough, I had the butt of the shotgun tucked so hard into my shoulder groove that it's aching quite a bit today... but no bruising.
 

The date is already reserved for next year's Clay Shooting Sports - Friday, September 18, 2015.  If you'd like to join me, just say the word.  

 

Fleet Week 2014

Today I took Cub Scout Pack 925 and Troop 88 on a behind the scenes tour of Fleet Week - New York.  We left Connecticut at zero-dark-thirty to arrive in Manhattan at Pier 94 by 7:30 a.m.  It's good that we arrived early because there is always a bit of confusion and it gave us time to work out all the kinks.  We were FIRST in line to enter the event.  The weather was not very cooperative and it was overcast and rainy all the way into the city.  But... as soon as we parked the car, the rain stopped and the rest of the day was actually quite beautiful.  We had the added benefit of this gray early morning weather scaring away the fair-weather friends. We pretty much had the ships to ourself for about an hour.

Here's a picture of the USS Oak Hill from aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Campbell.  Nice view!

The Secretary of the Navy issued an order to New Yorkers, "Take a Selfie with a Sailor" - which I automatically modified to "Take a Selfie with a Marine."  Here is GySgt Best with me aboard the USS Oak Hill.  The Boy Scouts loved climbing aboard the various Marine Corps vehicles and trying out the different weapons the Marines had as static displays.

I took this selfie with a Marine who is also an Eagle Scout.  He was fabulously engaging with all the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and reminisced about his days as a Scout.  All in all, we ran into about five servicemen who were Eagle Scouts.  They loved seeing 50 Scouts aboard their ship.

We took a group photo from the deck of the Coast Guard Cutter Campbell with the USS Oak Hill in the background.

The Scouts were in heaven with all the tactical vehicle static displays.  Bigger boys with bigger toys.  That's what I always say.

We got a peak at the Osprey and everyone got to climb in to experience what it's like to be on the inside of this Marine helo.

The adults enjoyed some down time in the seats chatting with this Marine.

The boys got to try on all sorts of gear - including flak jackets, comm gear.

They got to handle some of the weapons - the MK19 was a favorite.  The Marines loved showing the Scouts their stations.

Sailors gave demos, too.  The boys loved it all. (Moms and dads, too.)  What's not to like.

The pull-up bar became a popular activity for all the Scouts.  It was a Navy station... but there were two gungho Marines who were helping everyone get up and over the bar.  Some youth didn't need any help at all. They were naturals.

Here's a view of AAVs, LAVs and even some hovercraft.  It was pretty cool stuff to see.

Hi Everyone!  Hope you can join us next time.  This is great stuff.  It really is the perfect way to celebrate Memorial Day.  Remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms - and undestand and appreciate a little bit of what it means to be a member of today's Armed Forces.

After our tour, we pulled out my cases of MREs for lunch.  

The Scouts had fun choosing their lunch or souvenir based on flavor.  

And in true Marine Corps fashion the Scouts found their seats on the concrete jungle oustide Pier 94 and had their lunches.  After they were done, we policed the area and didn't leave a trace.

Thank you to all the Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who helped us celebrate Memorial Day this weekend.  We salute you for your service - and all who have gone before you.

 

 

 

 

Happy Memorial Day

It's a great weekend filled with memories, tributes, families, BBQs, and parades.  But how many of us really remember the reason for this holiday?  It's about remembering those men and women who have given their lives in defense of our country.  This is not to be confused with Veterans Day, but the two are often intertwined.  Veterans groups often march in the parades and give a special nod to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.  I've been marching nearly every year for the past eleven years with the Boy Scouts in our town's local parade.

Last weekend's meeting with the ladies of the Women Marines Association (and especially the WWII veteran) has made me very nostalgic to find my sisters in arms - those who went through Officer Candidate School with me in the summer of 1990.  I found my photo albums and snapped photos of some of my favorite photos.  It's easier than scanning even though it sounds a bit silly.

Can you spot me in this photo?  Leave me a comment and let me know where you think I am.

I don't think any of these officer candidates other than yours truly accepted their commissions after successfully completing OCS.  In the days before FB, I lost touch with them.  They were good friends for ten weeks that summer.

The expert female seamstress from the Marine Corps uniform shop posed for a picture with our senior Drill Instructor, GySgt Burley.  She was the best DI.

The day before we graduated, we got to let our hair down, literally and figuratively.  We had fun line dancing in our squad bay.  I loved those red shorts.  Everything now is green-on-green.

I was selected to be the rifleman in the color guard.  That's me on the very far right next to the Marine Corps flag.

After graduation, those of us who were getting commissioned changed into our Service "C" uniform and went to our commissioning ceremony.  Those who were going back to finish college departed for home.

Perhaps being a veteran gives us a greater understanding for what it means to make the ultimate sacrifice.  I know what these men and women have undergone as Marines. I know what to expect from anyone who has ever earned the title of Marine.  They know what to expect of me.  And I think about those who have gone before us.  Those who have made the ultimate sacrifce.

 

The Marines' Hymn

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.


Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job --
The United States Marines.


Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

 

Semper fidelis to my brothers and sisters at arms.  Please be sure you take a moment during the three-day weekend to make a silent thank you to those who gave their life for future generations of Americans.

 

Women Marines Association

Earlier this year I joined the Women Marines Association.  Sunday I went to my very first Connecticut chapter meeting and met other ladies who are Marine Corps veterans.  Most of the chapter members are in their 80s and 90s so I was thrilled to pieces.

Two of us were coming straight from Boy Scout campouts.  Can you guess which two?

I really enjoyed meeting these sisters at arms and look forward to our next quarterly get together.  Oh the stories they can tell.

If you know a female Marine, I highly encourage you to have her join the WMA.  There's a WMA Facebook group that is quite active and enlightening.  

Semper fidelis ladies!

Happy Veterans Day!

This year I returned to our local middle school for their Veterans Day Celebration.  The social studies teachers, along with the PTA, have coordinated an effort every year to have the local veterans come speak to the 8th grade class about their experiences in the military.  

I took some Thank You notes from a local Cub Scout Pack to distribute to the Veterans.

There were veterans there from today all the way back to WWII.  

Four of us are involved in Boy Scouts.  I think that says a great deal about the service to others that goes hand-in-hand with military service.  

I met some old friends and brought some new friends to share the day.

Monica and I were the only female veterans.  I met her last month and invited her to come.  She was the youngest person present and the 8th graders really connected with her.

Ed, Jack and I were panelists for one classroom.  It was great to meet these polite, curious young men and women at our local middle school.  They asked interesting questions.  

Thanks to the middle school and the PTA for making such a special day!

Happy Veterans Day to all my military friends.

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day to all who gave their lives for our country; to all who served; and to all who are currently serving.  

 

Please remember them this Memorial Day.