The experience of watching the graduation was absolutely incredible...I don't think I've ever been more proud in my life. He was awarded Most Improved in Physical Fitness....he was presented with 2 coins that he says he will treasure for ever. And he has decided that he wants to serve as Company Commander so that he can do for other recruits what his CC did for him. "Inspire them to greatness and to be the best version of themselves that they can be" (his words not mine).
I enjoyed meeting his CC and his fellow recruits. My Son told me that he has made real friendships during his time at Cape May and when I asked him...with what he knows now, if he could go back in time would he still go through with joining the USCG...he said with so much passion that it blew me away..." Hell yes!!!"
The Quebec hotel was amazing, and Roger was so nice and helpful with helping with direction's to the base and also advice on where to eat. If I can ever go back up there and I am hoping I will because it's beautiful there I will definitely be staying there again...I will be eternally grateful to you all for helping me get to his graduation...

Words cannot express how grateful I am to the USCG Mom in Need Fund. When my son left for boot camp, my husband and I were so proud of him and the decision he made to join. At the same time, we were saddened to know that due to financial reasons, we would not be able to be there for him at his graduation. I was heartbroken. I saw the USCG Mom in Need Fund on Facebook. I applied and I prayed. A short time later I received an email telling me that my application had been approved and I was going to Cape May. I will never forget this moment. My prayers had been answered. I had just received the greatest gift of my life. I cried the happiest tears and was so thankful that I had been given this opportunity. The USCG Mom in Need Fund provided me with my travel arrangements and I was ready to go. The whole experience was amazing. I departed for New Jersey and stayed at a lovely hotel near the beautiful Wildwood boardwalk. I arrived at Cape May with so much happiness and excitement. As I sat on the bleachers waiting for the Graduation to begin, the tears began to flow because I never thought I would have the opportunity to be sitting there. I was overwhelmed with so much emotion. The moment I saw my son and the big smile he had on his face when he saw me was so priceless. Being able to hug him after graduation and to be there to support him is something I will forever be grateful for. My son was so thankful I was there. We both cried more happy tears. Without the USCG Mom in Need Fund, my son would have been alone at his graduation. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me and providing me with these memories. I will never forget the gift you gave me and I will pay it forward in the future. Blessings to you. You have made such an impact in my life and I am so proud to be a part of the USCG family. 

​

​I wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without your help, this young man wails have had to graduate alone. He was so thankful to see me. I am eternally grateful! I plan to give back, pay it forward. This service you provide is so powerful!!
Thank you again.

​Your assistance with my travel expenses were greatly appreciated! Without your help I would not have been able to experience these precious moments that I will cherish for a lifetime. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and I will always be grateful to the United States Coast Guard Mom In Need Fund.



​

​Just want to encourage you all to be a part of this amazing fund, https://www.uscgminf.com 
I was laid off 2 months ago, and although I just started another job, I got so far behind and didn't know how I was going to get to my 2nd CG sons Boot Camp graduation in December. I finally got the nerve to apply and was just told today I was approved to have my flight paid by the Fund to see my baby boy graduate. I can't begin to tell you how much this means to me and my son and how totally thrilled and thankful I am. I will forever be a cheer leader and fund raiser for this amazing group. Love all my sisters in Coastie Motherhood. God bless you and your brave heroes and patriots.

This was truely one of the best experience we have ever had if it wasn't for the help of all the USCG moms and donations we probably wouldn't have been able to make it to graduation but with lots of prayers and hope we did! I got to finally see my new COAST GUARDSMAN and how much he has changed over the past 8 weeks I was in tears no words could ever say how grateful and happy and proud I am.  Every mom should truly experience this and with all your support another mom can make it to see her son or daughter graduate and know how wonderful this journey of worries and fears and sadness and happiness was and now we are off to start another journey in Alaska! Thank you moms in need you all have given me the greatest gift of all by sending me and my family to Cape May ​

The trip to Cape May was quite an adventure! I flew out at 6:15 AM Portland, Oregon time and arrived in Philadelphia about 5:00.  I got to the hotel that was provided by the mom in need fund it was very nice and clean hotel and they recommended a  delicious dinner only one block away and gave me a token for a free drink.
The next morning I woke early and walked on the Wildwood Board Walk. Later I arrived at a toll bridge with no change, they would not accept a credit card.  The guy on the toll bridge gave me a free pass!  The Coast Guard greeted me at the gates and checked my ID and name of my son. I was then guided each step of the way with a Graduation program and directions to parking.  A cart picked us up from the parking lot and delivered us to Breakfast at the Hall. After breakfast, we went to see a boot camp film that was quite informative and entertaining. We also received a pep talk on how to be a lifeline for our Coasties. Then on to a very proper graduation.  At 2:00 we drove back to Philly made it down to Geno's and had a famous Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, returned the rental car, and caught my 7 PM flight to Denver and then changed planes and back to Portland. I had never experienced this before.  It was a lovely time and I will never forget the help of your group.  May God bless you and your endeavors.

​

​I decided to share my post here so I could share one of the blessings that you awesome ladies make possible when you donate items, money or your time to the US Coast Guard Mom in Need Fund.
 In April of this year my husband the bread winner of our family was involved in a serious car wreck. He broke his neck and back in several places and a later MRI showed a cerebral aneurysm behind his right eye which he later had surgery for. I have had to be his 24/7 caregiver since this occurred. In October my oldest son, my second Coastie, left for boot camp to follow his dreams. Even though I tried I couldn't overcome our financial obstacles and was afraid I would miss his graduation. A fellow Coastie mom encouraged me to apply for assistance through the US Coast Guard Mom in Need Fund. I was hesitant as it was difficult for me to swallow my pride and ask for help. Nevertheless the day he called and gave us his orders in his 5th week I knew from hearing the excitement in his voice that I had to at least apply.  I said a prayer and filled out the application. When I received the email that told me congratulations you’re going to graduation tears of joy streamed down my face. I will never be able to repay the blessing that I received today thanks to the US Coast Guard Mom in Need Fund and all of its donors.  To our surprise, my daughter, my first Coastie, had made arrangements with my sons CC to surprise her brother by presenting him his certificate at graduation. I will never forget the feeling and the look on his face when he first saw her. Tears streamed down all of our faces. With 1 exception It was the first time I had all of my kids together in almost 4 years. If it wasn't for the US Coast Guard MINF and all of its contributors and volunteers I would have missed the absolutely most proudest moment I have ever felt as a Mom. I would like to thank everyone who has ever made a donation to the US Coast Guard Mom in Need Fund whether large or small. Each donation makes blessings such as these possible for our future Coasties and their Mom. Thank you seems inadequate but THANK YOU!!


Semper Paratus!!!!

​I want to thank the Mom in Need Fund for giving me the opportunity to be there to watch my son graduate from Boot Camp. When Cody left nine weeks ago to start his journey at Cape May, I kept telling him I will see you at Graduation. I knew in my heart I was making a promise to my son that I couldn’t keep and I felt like the worse mom on earth! My husband and I both work full time jobs but we both have Oilfield related jobs and the oilfield has been so slow and has affected my husbands income tremendously. His income has been reduced by well over 60%, so it’s been a challenge just paying our monthly bills. We don’t do anything extra like we used to, no more going out to dinner, no more shopping for things we don’t absolutely need and no more vacations...just the absolute necessities. So I knew there was no possible way we could afford for all of us to attend graduation, we couldn’t afford for even one of us to be able to go, and I was beyond heartbroken. They always say their is a light at the end of the tunnel, the Mom in Need Fund was my light!! I filled out an application and submitted it, I really didn’t think I would get approved because things like this just never happen for us but thought it won’t hurt to try. A few days later I received an email saying I was going to my son’s graduation-I was approved!!!! Omg!!! I can’t even find the words the describe the emotions I felt, I cried tears of happiness and was just overwhelmingly grateful. 
KILO 195 graduated yesterday and because of the hard work and generosity of each and every one who works tirelessly to raise money for the Mom in Need Fund I was able to attend!!! One of the best days ever!!!!! I am so thankful that I was able to be there and hear when they called my son’s name and watch him walk up there to receive his certificate and shake his commanding officers hands!!! The pride I felt and still feel is indescribable!!!! Cody told me several times I’m so glad you got to come mom...best words ever!!!! 
You have giving me an experience I will never forget!!!!! From the bottom of my heart I think you!!!

​I want to thank the Mom in Need Fund for giving me the opportunity to be there to watch my son graduate from Boot Camp. When Cody left nine weeks ago to start his journey at Cape May, I kept telling him I will see you at Graduation. I knew in my heart I was making a promise to my son that I couldn’t keep and I felt like the worse mom on earth! My husband and I both work full time jobs but we both have Oilfield related jobs and the oilfield has been so slow and has affected my husbands income tremendously. His income has been reduced by well over 60%, so it’s been a challenge just paying our monthly bills. We don’t do anything extra like we used to, no more going out to dinner, no more shopping for things we don’t absolutely need and no more vacations...just the absolute necessities. So I knew there was no possible way we could afford for all of us to attend graduation, we couldn’t afford for even one of us to be able to go, and I was beyond heartbroken. They always say their is a light at the end of the tunnel, the Mom in Need Fund was my light!! I filled out an application and submitted it, I really didn’t think I would get approved because things like this just never happen for us but thought it won’t hurt to try. A few days later I received an email saying I was going to my son’s graduation-I was approved!!!! Omg!!! I can’t even find the words the describe the emotions I felt, I cried tears of happiness and was just overwhelmingly grateful. 
KILO 195 graduated yesterday and because of the hard work and generosity of each and every one who works tirelessly to raise money for the Mom in Need Fund I was able to attend!!! One of the best days ever!!!!! I am so thankful that I was able to be there and hear when they called my son’s name and watch him walk up there to receive his certificate and shake his commanding officers hands!!! The pride I felt and still feel is indescribable!!!! Cody told me several times I’m so glad you got to come mom...best words ever!!!! 
You have giving me an experience I will never forget!!!!! From the bottom of my heart I think you!!!