Dear Marine Parents,

I would like to say Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Oh my gosh, what an evening we had Thursday Night, Sept 24th - we had a full house, filled with Marines, Army and Navy Wounded Warriors! We had well over 30 Army soldiers attend. All the extra tables were set up, every chair was taken and the guys spilled out to every seating space available throughout the Liberty Center! Barbecued Ribs from Fat Ivor's in Valley Center are always a popular dinner and so good! We had over 300 large beef ribs, two to a plate along with potato salad, coleslaw, beans and rolls, and tons of desserts the volunteers made. The only thing left at the end of the evening was a little coleslaw and a few cookies!

Mr. T, Manager of the Liberty Room, Balboa

Mr. T, manager of the Liberty Room, was there and said that MarineParents.com is one of the most popular attended events held at the Liberty Center every month. A Major who had flown over from Hawaii to visit his Marines came downstairs looking for them. He was so impressed by the love and care the volunteers showed all of the wounded. The Captain and 1st Sgt from the Army Command have joined their men for the last two dinners and they are so appreciative of being included in the evening.

We have developed many personal relationships with our Wounded Warriors over the past year. Some are there for only a short while, but many spend over a year at the Wounded Warriors Barracks, getting their prosthetics, going through physical therapy, etc. These young men know they can count on us, and they know we love them as our own sons. They share their stories with us, their hopes, their dreams - we've laughed, we've cried, we go and visit them in the hospital when they have surgeries or procedures. They proudly bring in their parents, wives and girlfriends when they are in town to introduce us. Not one of them has ever asked for anything. It is only through careful listening that we are able to discern their needs, whether it be a TV, a laptop, helping package stuff to send to their kids, a ride to a store, groceries for their rooms, special dietary needs, a mattress cover, a piano, or just someone to talk to. Each one is an individual, and each has something special that adds to our group. It is because of MarineParents.com that we have been able to be there for these heroes and we are so thankful that you support us. We are so proud to be a part of this great organization!

We have one of our Marines leaving next week, A J (2/7 Marine), whom has captured every one of our hearts in the year we have known him. He is going to be starting a new career in New Hampshire, and he will finally be with his beautiful wife Crystal. He is one of the most mischievous, fun loving, orneriest Marines I have ever met. He's always giving us a hard time and loves harassing all of us. At the same time, he embodies everything the Marine Corps stands for - Honor, Courage and Commitment. He showed up by himself at the Remembering the Brave Ceremony, where 24 Gold Star families were honored. He sat through the evening in a great deal of pain (no complaints from him, I could tell by his eyes). He could have left after the dinner, but he said it was too important to miss. We'll be holding a going away party for him Tuesday night at the Outback Steak House. As much as this is what we truly look forward to, that he is healing and can go out into the world and make it on his own, we will miss him dearly and he is leaving a huge hole in our hearts. Hopefully we will be able to hold the tears until we get out of the restaurant. A J is the reason we started taking homemade dinners. When he was first injured his Mom had been busy at the Fischer House cooking homemade meals for our 2/7 boys and when she left, we continued.

There are two Naval Corpsmen we have grown very fond of in the past few months. They brought each of us a bouquet of red, white and blue flowers to thank us for the dinners. They will be graduating as Physicians Assistants this morning and going out to be with our Marines in Afghanistan. May God use them where they are needed best, may he protect them and give them wisdom to heal our boys. We are honored to know them. They are two very special men whom we will be keeping contact with, and we want to continue supporting them in whatever way we can.

My hope and prayer is that we continue to get donations from all our members to fund our Purple Heart Family Support dinners, both at Balboa and Bethesda, and that we continue to expand our services. This is such a worthwhile endeavor. It is not just a dinner, but a way to reach out to our Wounded Warriors, get them out of their rooms and socializing, and bring a touch of home into the barracks. It is a way to let them know Marine Parents all over this great country have not forgotten them, and that they are loved and appreciated. If your son or daughter is ever brought to Balboa for any reason, you can rest assured (s)he will have the best of care and there is a group of strong, dedicated volunteers sponsored by MarineParents.com and standing by to help you and your Marine.

Hugs,
Joyce Orrell
Purple Heart Family Support Manager, West Coast