Saturday, December 22, 2012

Jo, Scott amd Mark at VA  hsopital
He got VIP parking !
Hill AFB personnel, and VA friends delivering letters

A few weeks ago, Marky came into the kitchen and said to me,

"Mom, I'd like to write Christmas letters to all the wounded warriors laying up in the Veteran's Hospital."

I said, "Really?"

He said, "Yeah, I remember when I spent Christmas in Primary Children's Hospital...I think it would be nice if all those guys got letters to let them know we care about them."

So he planned a 'letter writing' party.  He and Jonah delivered flyers to lots of neighbors inviting them for the event AND Root beer floats.

Close to 50 of Marky's closest friends showed up that day !

Three local heroes showed up in military uniform to encourage the writers.

You shouldv seen the looks on the kids' faces when those soldiers walked in!   Mouths dropped open and a lot of "wow's" and "awesome's" could be heard!

119 letters, a flag, and a Dollar bill in a Baggie....
All produced that day by these wonderful friends!

All total, 150 letters were written, then rolled up and stuffed in a gift bag with a set of hand warmers and chocolate (of course!)

Marky and Jonah handled the assembling of the gift bags, with some "assistance" from Sammy! (refer to picture below of Sam sitting in the crate, throwing the bags out as fast as the guys put em in)

Then on Tues the 18th, Mark, Jo, Scott, Ma and Pa and Uncle Colonel Kendude presented them at the VA hospital!

Such a neat experience!  The VA staff welcomed him like a ROCK STAR! , toured them through the halls talking to "A Few Good Men" and giving out his letter bags. 

How many people were affected by this valiant "Little Warrior"? ....Hard to say.

I'll tell you this Mom couldve never been more touched by this "Little Warrior's" generous heart. 

Jonah was quoted as telling his proud mom..."That was the coolest thing I've done all year...besides going to Sams Down's Syndrome Christmas party!"  ( by the way, Jonah also told his mom he wanted to take all the special needs kids home after the party!)

Long post, I know....making up for lost time!

But, this story deserves to be told.

Merry Christmas to all our loved ones!  

ALL TOGETHER THAT DAY: 119 LETTERS, 1 FLAG AND A DOLLAR BILL IN A BAGGIE !
MARK GETTING READY FOR THE LETTER WRITING PARTY!

PLAYING ON THE JEEP
LOCAL HEROES

SWINGIN

THE PARTY WAS SO FUN, THE GUESTS WOULDNT LEAVE! THIS ONE HAD TO BE CARRIED OUT !

SAM HELPING STUFF THE GIFT BAGS
CAPT MARK HOLDING ALL THE LETTERS WRITTEN

LOCAL HEROES CAME TO ENCOURAGE THE LETTER WRITERS!


Markys letter writing party

MARKYS REAL BRONZE STAR, ISSUED BY HIS ENLISTING OFFICER
LETTER WRITING ABOUT TO BEGIN!

LETTER WRITERS GATHER FROM ALL OVER THE NEIGHBORHOOD

PRECIOUS FRIENDS
MORE PRECIOUS FRIENDS
PROUD LETTER WRITER!