THE WOUNDED WARRIOR MARINE CORPS BALL NOVEMBER 2013

THE WOUNDED WARRIOR MARINE CORPS BALL  NOVEMBER 2013

An invitation to the Wounded Warrior Marine Corps Ball that was held last week had to be one of the highlights of my life!   Having been to the ball two years ago, I knew what to expect.   There is nothing like military tradition, and the Marine Corps does it best.

As you know, my life pretty much revolves around our Marines through care packages and precious time spent with some of our wounded warriors and their families at Walter Reed.   One of those families, the Burketts, you have read about in previous articles.   It was the Burketts who invited me to attend the ball with them this year, Major Burkett, his wife Melissa and their two oldest children Keenan, 10 and Josilyn 7.  

Of course the preparation starts weeks in advance, including shopping for formal attire and hair and nail appointments for the ladies.
Thankfully I did not have to shop for something to wear, as I have an outfit that has served me well over the years and since I rarely have a need for something formal I make do with what I have.  But that is not the case for the ladies of Walter Reed, the wives, mothers and girlfriends.   They do not come to the hospital prepared for such occasions.   The hard work of one woman, Jodi Bouck Warshel made the ball gown selection miraculous by locating sources that were willing to donate magnificent gowns and accessories.... and it was an enormous success.  Dozens of them....brand new with the tags still on them were sent to the hospital for a gown event for any of the women who would need them.....and they came in all sizes and colors......many of the ladies are in varying degrees of pregnancy.    They all found exactly what they needed.   What huge hearts the donors have and one store supplied the majority of the gowns!

I wanted to find a way to contribute something to the ladies for this special evening.   I was blessed to locate two hair salons in our area with hairdressers who were more than willing to donate their time to give our ladies the fancy hairdos required for a Ball.   They outdid themselves.   Thirteen ladies signed up for appointments and I knew only three of them.   However I did get to meet them on our way to the ball, and each of them looked exceptionally beautiful.   The hairdressers who volunteered to style the lady's hair were so thankful to be asked.........so willing to participate in making the night special in any way they could.    We just don't realize how many folks are out there who want to contribute and simply need to be asked!!!

The highlight of the evening was our guest of honor,   Medal of Honor recipient Sgt Dakota Meyer.  I had a brief moment to shake his had and thank him for his outstanding actions in Afghanistan, but of course he had little time to spend with any one person.   I also reunited with an old friend, LtCol Mike Corrado, singer/wongwriter of "Still in the Fight" and we had lots of news to catch up on.  For me, the most moving aspect of the evening was being surrounded by wounded warriors.   A ballroom filled with Marines in their dress uniforms, many in wheelchairs, but all of them sharing a night to remember.  For many it was their first ball and for many it would be their last as they would be discharged before the ball next year.  

The most beautiful tradition is the cutting of the elaborately decorated Marine Corps Birthday cake.   Cutting the cake with a sword,  the first piece is presented to the guest of honor,  the second piece presented to the oldest Marine present and the third to the youngest, signifying the passing on of years of experience from the eldest Marine to the youngest.   Then everyone enjoyed a piece of the birthday cake and the party began....lots of music and dancing.   Nothing can match the sight of Marines in their wheelchairs or with crutches on the dance floor with their ladies.  The determination and sheer will of a Marine will not allow them to sit on the sidelines when there is action on the dance floor.   And let me tell you, they can dance!   Not being much of a dancer myself,  I thoroughly enjoyed taking it all in, and also watching Major Burkett and Melissa dance a few slow numbers.   It truly did my heart good to be in the presence of such great Americans who would never consider missing a Ball due to their injuries.   However, there were many who could not attend because their injuries would not allow them to be with us, but the chaplain remembered them and their fallen brothers  in prayer when the ceremony began.   Of course all good things must come to an end, at by eleven it was time to head back to the hospital with many new memories etched in my heart for a lifetime.

Again, I wonder at the path my life has taken.   Each and every person, event, situation, is all mapped out by God and I am merely following His lead.   Again I look back at the last eleven years of involvement with our Marine Corps and I am in awe of how the Lord has arranged my life and all that it has become.   I am blessed......and so very thankful.   And speaking of thankful, this is the month of thanksgiving.......so I am giving thanks and I would like to wish all of you a blessed and plentiful Thanksgiving.   May God be with you always as He has been with me.
  

THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL AND HONOR FLIGHTS

THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL AND HONOR FLIGHTS


My friends Lyn Braedon-Reed and Jennifer Magerer and I decided that the
best way to spend the day was to head downtown to the WWII Memorial, the
weekend after the government shutdown.   Watching Veterans break through
barricades after flying long distances to visit their memorial this was
a beautiful sight, to see them move freely around the magnificent
monument built to honor them and their fallen brothers.   We came
knowing that there would be three Honor Flights visiting and we wanted
to be a part of that experience.

In case you are not familiar with Honor Flights they are a nonprofit
that funds flights to bring our veterans to Wash DC from all over the
country, while they are still able to travel.   This requires volunteers
to care for the veterans who need constant care, knowing that this may
be the last journey of their lives.  Many of the volunteers are from our
area and sign up to assist the veterans through their visit, on and off
the planes and the buses.     The emotions that this and other War
memorials evoke is difficult to put into words but each is hallowed
ground to be sure.   Our elder veterans walked or were pushed in
wheelchairs.....and you could see they truly felt the spirit of the
monument that payed homage to their service and sacrifice.    There was
no way to be there and not feel the sense of love and appreciation in
the air from the many thankful Americans who greeted these visitors with
enormous rounds of applause and cheers while waving American flags.
The patriotism was palpable.....the air was filled with honor and
respect for those who fought for the freedoms we hold dear today.

Before we headed downtown I was reminded to bring with me the oval black
on white stickers that say "I Served WWII" or "I Served KOREA" and what
a blessing that reminder proved to be.   It was a rather frantic
afternoon with a very threatening sky and chilly winds.   No
matter.....the weather would not deter  anyone.   Three flights arrived
in buses and as the veterans disembarked we welcomed them with open arms
and stickers. The three of us, along with Jennifer's friend Brandi,
approached each of the veterans shaking hands, sharing hugs and
conversation while I handed them the appropriate sticker(s).  Some had
served in both wars, some even three, including Vietnam...... I had
those stickers as well.   Many humbly asked if they could have more than
one  because they had served in more than one war.   Oh my gosh!!
They were so incredibly thankful for the stickers, cherishing them as if
they were extremely valuable.   So often it is the simple little things
that hold so much meaning.

By now you know me......I am all about Patriotism and not good at
holding back tears when it comes to those who have served our country,
past or present.   I cannot sing the Star Spangled Banner without tears
flowing.   This was by far one of the most exceptional events I can
remember.   On Veterans Day, Monday November 11, there are Honor Flights
coming in.  What better day to be there to greet them once again with
our hugs and stickers and flags.   We will repeat this experience as
often as our schedules allow.   There are never enough ways to honor our
war veterans......especially the 'greatest generation.'    This is the
least we can do and I can't wait to be there again and again.