"(You) came to my rescue to enable me to attend my Son's Graduation on 9/11/15, This was my Son's 22nd Birthday as well. The Graduation was everything I had hoped for, If it were not for your assistance this Mom never would have been able to experience the overwhelming joy of seeing my Son Graduate. To see my son receive his certificate in person...well, I would have missed a milestone in my Son's Life.
There really aren't words to describe that feeling of seeing her come into the gym in formation and then going up and getting her certificate...once they were dismissed...that first hug in 8 weeks!!!! Nothing like it ever!!! She showed me a coin given to her by one of her company commanders for doing an outstanding job while at boot camp. They only gave out 5 of them...so yet another moment of pride.
We gathered up her belongings and hit the road (she REALLY wanted to get home). Along the way, we stopped to eat at Red Robin...we had just sat down when a Vietnam Veteran walked up to her, shook her hand and said..."Thank you". Admit it...tears started to trickle down my face. Thank you again Mom in need fund, I am just so honored to belong to such a group. I never imagined the love and support that I've gotten from the Coast Guard Moms. I don't have much family just me and my kids... The warmth shown to myself, my Coastie and others who ask for support is a daily touch stone of heartfelt love I get from you beautiful women. I thank God for you and ask his blessings upon you and your Coasties in your daily walk throughout life's journey. Thank you for this opportunity.
I am immensely grateful for the funding provided to me to go and watch my daughters graduation. Without this program I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do so.
I don't know how to begin to thank the Mom in Need Fund for the gift of helping me get to my daughters graduation on August 8th. This was a very special time in our family. My father retired from the US Marine Corps and out of all of our family, my daughter is the only one to enlist in the military. I am so proud of her. I arrived in Cape May in time to attend the Meet & Greet and talk with some of the parents I have been in contact with on the Zulu-189 Facebook page. Time seemed to pass quickly because I decided to skip the breakfast and go straight to the Informational meeting. It started to all be real when we were walking over to the parade field. When the program began I was so proud. I wish my father had been there to see his granddaughter. I would not have been able to share this experience with her without the generous help from the Mom in Need Fund. One day, I hope I can pay it forward! For the past two and half months I’ve been an emotional roller coaster. I’ve been so very happy that my son has chosen to serve our country, very sad that I hadn’t had much contact with him. Overshadowing all of this was the horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that I would not be able to attend graduation. We had already resigned ourselves to the fact that he would be celebrating this day without me, and this was heartbreaking for both of us.
My son’s finance (he proposed the night of graduation!) told me about the Mom In Need Fund. She and her mother told me they had written to the MINF on my behalf and after my loved ones convinced me that it was okay to ask for help, I submitted my application. I was afraid to even hope that I would be chosen. Unbelievably the next day I received an email telling me that I HAD been chosen! There are not enough words to express my joy and gratitude for this gift. One of the best moments of my life, and I know I will never forget it, was the night my son called and I was able to tell him that his Mom would be there to see him graduate. Of course I was crying when I told him, but my big strong Coastie broke down in tears too. That just confirmed to me how much my being there meant to him. When his company began entering the building the excitement was palpable. Before I had a chance to even begin looking for that familiar face, he was passing right in front of me! I felt I would be unable to contain the overwhelming pride, joy, love, and admiration I have for this young man, my son. During the ceremony I had a hard time focusing; I couldn’t keep my eyes off this commendable man in uniform that my baby boy had grown into. All I could think about was wrapping my arms around him, looking him in his eyes and telling him how proud I am of him. Without the Mom In Need Fund, none of this would have been possible. I would have a different story to tell, a very sad one that makes me cry to even imagine it. I will be forever grateful for this blessing; a miracle that I never dreamed could happen. I will pay this gift forward by being there for other Coasties and their families to the utmost of my ability. On June 27th of this year, I was able to witness my daughter’s advancement from Seaman Recruit to Seaman Apprentice. It was also the day that I noticed a big change in her demeanor. She was confident and dignified. There was an unyielding gleam of pride in her eyes, as she and two of her shipmates lead the company as they marched around the parade field. It brought tears of joy to both of our respective eyes, as we spotted one another that morning. She had feared, it seems, that she would have no one to embrace after such a grand accomplishment. And that is why we want to thank, from the bottom of our hearts, the Mom In Need Fund. Because without them, we would not have been able to realize such a sublime and marvelous moment.
I do not have words to express the gratitude I have for the MINF [Mom in Need Fund]. Attending my son's graduation was one of the best days of my life. The moment I saw my son marching with his company was so exciting and I was beaming with pride. We walked around the Cape May Training Center and my visit to the Exchange was better than Christmas. I saw the pride in my son's eyes as he introduced me to his Company Commanders and was glad I was able to thank them in person for being such a positive influence in my child's life.
Our kids work so hard in boot camp and deserve to have their mom share their special day. I am so proud of my son and will forever be grateful to the MINF for their help in getting me to graduation. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. Barbara Ann M. What it means to me, a mom whose son is not only in the US Coast Guard but also in the Honor Guard and Silent Drill Team is an unbelievable feeling of PRIDE.
This mom never knew that PRIDE is a feeling/emotion but I have experienced otherwise. Every time I see my Coastie son, David -- whether in or out of uniform -- I just fill up with such PRIDE that I cannot help the tears from flowing. It is something that I have never experienced. And watching David in the Honor Guard as they march with perfection and in the Silent Drill Team as they toss their bayonets into the air and catch them every time with such ease has been remarkable. And as he marched in full dress uniform with perfect white gloves down the isle 2 weeks ago to meet his beautiful bride, again those TEARS of PRIDE just flowed. The Honor Guard travels the country representing the US Coast Guard at various functions such as sporting events, parades and funerals. They are always there when dignitaries come into Washington to meet with the President and David was at the UN just a short time ago. In my mind there was no higher honor then when the Honor Guard passed the President on Inauguration Day, as they marched passed the President he saluted to THEM. I will never erase that vision from my mind. As David reaches the end of his two years in the Honor Guard this May and off to A school, I think both of us will never forget how the Honor Guard has taught us what it is like to be PROUD AMERICANS! I want to thank everyone, from the Mom in Need Fund, who made it possible for me to attend my daughter's boot camp graduation. I arrived the night before and stayed with a host family, that night we went out to dinner to meet all the other parents of Delta and Echo recruits. The next morning we attended the breakfast on base, it was really nice. We were able to meet everyone there as well. After, watching a video of it's just 8 weeks, it was then time for the graduation. I was so excited, it was finally the day that I would see my daughter in her uniform and witness one of the greatest days of her life. When I seen her I was amazed at her transformation, that day she received an award and I was so proud of her. After the graduation, she took us on a tour of the base. It was such a wonderful experience and because of all those who contribute to the fund made it possible .
|
AuthorsStories from our moms. Categories |