Fun in the Sun

Greetings,

He looks like he is having the time of his life...

I guess I thought he should look a little sad and homesick, but that's just not Harry!

Keep up the hard work Harry... we are proud of you!

Blessings,

United Through Reading

Greetings,

Not sure if everyone knows about the United Through Reading Program....


Founded in 1989, United Through Reading is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) public benefit organization.

Our mission is to unite families facing physical separation by facilitating the bonding experience of reading aloud together.

Our vision is that all children will feel the security of caring family relationships and develop a love of reading through the read-aloud experience.

The nationally-acclaimed programs developed by United Through Reading provide opportunities for emotional bonding that relieve the stress of separation and instill a love of reading by providing the opportunity for  family members  to read aloud to children on  DVD. Our programs help bring far-away family members back home for a little while each day, and help turn what might otherwise be tentative, anxious family re-introductions into joyous reunions.

Separation from a parent is one of life’s most stressful events for children, affecting their sense of security, their relationships, and their ability to learn. More than one million American children are separated from one or both parents due to military deployment and nearly double that for children separated from their loved ones due to incarceration, drug treatment, or social services. Still others are separated from their grandparents, and therefore, from generational love and learning

So basically, the sailors make a recorded dvd of themselves reading to their children.  Package the dvd and mail it home.

Harry has been coordinating the program for the ship... and the response has been amazing.

Some of the stories just make you want to cry... how some of our little toddlers will reach for the tv screen just to touch their mom or dad.

Harry has read to our niece and nephew... and he even made me one.  It makes you want to cry, both happy and sad tears.


If you ever run across this organization or have the opportunity to become involved... I highly recommend it!

Blessings,

Gulf of Aden

Greetings, 




Just thought I would share....

GULF OF ADEN (Nov. 2, 2010) Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) approach the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) after amphibious training in Djibouti. Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released)


Blessings,

Mail Call

Greetings,


Curious how excited the guys get when it's mail call....

So excited they snap a picture of its arrival...

 

 And it's off loading...

And it's distribution...

And yes... there are several packages from me to Harry in this shipment.  I am getting better at this whole military wife shipping packages to her husband on deployment!


Blessings,

Hard at Work

USS Carter Hall Sailors Participate In Bahrain Community Relations Projects

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) Sailors participated in three community relations (COMREL) projects between Oct. 3-8, while in Bahrain.

The Sailors performed the projects at the Regional Institute for Active Learning Centre, the Bahrain Mobility Institute and the American Cultural and Education Center.

The COMREL projects gave the Sailors the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the local culture while doing something beneficial for others.

"COMRELs give our Sailors a great opportunity to interact with the local population and learn something." said Lt. Harry Hansen, USS Carter Hall command chaplain. "At the same time, the experience of helping others allows them to grow as individuals."

Sailors worked with autistic children, painted walls, played wheelchair basketball and spoke about American culture during their visit to Bahrain.

Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Stephanie Madrigal said she enjoyed taking part in Carter Hall's COMREL projects during Operation Unified Response in Haiti earlier in the year, and was eager to volunteer again.

"It is such a valuable and eye opening experience for us and for the children," said Madrigal. "We get the chance to learn about each other and have fun at the same time. Through certain activities, like wheelchair basketball, we are able to communicate without even using words."

"These events promote a good name for the ship and Navy," said Hansen. "They enable us to show human kindness to our partner nations and develop the relationships necessary to work together in cooperation."

Lt. Cmdr. Marc Massie, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command deputy chaplain, said people in the local area enjoy when Sailors volunteer to help out and look forward to their visits.

"We have had an overwhelmingly positive response from the local community," Massie said. "We try to do projects where Sailors can sit down and talk to the people, because our primary goal is building relationships."

Massie is in charge of scheduling COMREL projects for service members aboard U.S. Naval Activity Bahrain as well as for visiting ships.

"It's something that I really wish everyone would get involved in," Massie said. "Any time you build friendships and relationships there are benefits, but this is a long-term project. What you do now may just be a small thing, but down the road it can make things better for the future."

USS Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group which is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=56556

Pizza Friday

Greetings,

The Wardroom made pizzas for the entire ship... 

Harry never cooks like that home!


Blessings,

The Good-byes

Greetings,

Here are a few pictures from Deployment day...

At this point..... it got sad!

And then there was none...

I have so much to say, but it may take a while. 

I think I am still processing the good-byes. 

If I stay busy... just enough... maybe I will not notive that my husband is gone...?


Blessings,

And so it begins

So it has begun...

D E P L O Y M E N T

Day 1.

Blessings,

Fair Winds and Followings Seas

The traditional farewell (or toast) of a mariner is wishing a friend "fair winds and following seas." The full version is "Fair winds and following seas and long may your big jib draw!" "We bid shipmates farewell with this naval blessing because it represents the ideal underway conditions for which Sailors yearn."

'Following sea' refers to a sea swell that doesn't overtake the ship. It is very difficult to control any boat or ship when the swell overtakes it and shoves it forward, causing the boat to skew broadside-on to the wind and swell. Boats often capsize under such conditions.

The phrase may also be considered a Naval blessing as the person, group, or thing to which it is said departs on a voyage in life. It is often used at a "beginning" ceremony such as a commissioning ceremony of a ship or people, as well as in retirement, change of command, or farewell ceremonies.





And they're off... for a very long time!  My thoughts are kinda jumbled right now... so I will post more about the Big D (deployment) when the realization of Harry being gone over 9 months sets in...




Blessings, 

Support for Pakistan

26th MEU to support Pakistan relief efforts

More than 2,000 Marines and sailors from Camp Lejeune’s 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit received orders to deploy a month ahead of schedule this week in order to bring aid to the monsoon-flooded nation of Pakistan.

Late Thursday night, unit officials announced that the MEU would deploy with the three ships of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group later this month to bring humanitarian aid and assistance to Pakistan.

Monsoon rains at the beginning of this month brought rising floodwaters that have killed more than 1,600 and threatened tens of thousands more with waterborne disease. In addition to $71 million pledged in emergency assistance, the United States has so far provided aid in the form of elements of Camp Pendleton’s 15th MEU, including CH-53E Super Stallion and CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters.

The 26th MEU, which returned from its most recent deployment last March, was scheduled to deploy at the end of September, unit spokesman Capt. Richard Ulsh said. On Wednesday, Marines and their family members were informed about the change in schedule.

The Kearsarge ARG includes the U.S.S. Kearsarge, U.S.S. Carter Hall, and U.S.S. Ponce. Elements of the MEU include Battalion Landing Team 3/8, Combat Logistics Battalion 26 and an Osprey squadron, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (reinforced).

Lejeune’s 24th MEU, which returned home from a seven-month deployment this week, were the first to use Ospreys in a humanitarian mission in February when it deployed to Haiti in the wake of a devastating earthquake.

Ulsh said that there were no current plans to bring additional equipment or troops to assist with flooding relief.

This won’t be the first time that the MEU has come to the aid of flood victims. In June 2008, while completing an urban training exercise in Indiana, troops from the unit rushed to the aid of local rescue workers when parts of the state flooded with up to 11 inches of water, providing Sea Knight helicopters for equipment evacuation and documenting the storm damage.

“The 26th MEU is anxious to provide the much needed assistance to the government of Pakistan,” Ulsh said. “More importantly, we know we can bring some reprieve to the Pakistani people and look forward to doing that as soon as possible.”

With a quarter of the country affected by the flooding, Pakistani and UN officials fear the toll that waterborne diseases, including acute diarrhea, malaria and skin ailments, may take on the population.

The MEU’s commanding officer, Col. Mark Desens, said that the unit was up to the task.

“This is an opportunity for 26th MEU Marines and sailors to help a key partner nation,” he said. “We have a versatile and flexible force that we will use to alleviate suffering of the Pakistani citizens affected by this disaster.”

A spokesman for Headquarters Marine Corps told The Daily News he was not aware of current plans to send additional Marine units to the country.

http://www.jdnews.com/news/26th-81507-support-efforts.html

It's officially out...

From the Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of Defense announced Aug. 13 the deployment of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSG ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU).

The combined Navy and Marine Corps team will leave later this month to bring significant heavy- and medium-lift aircraft and other assets to support flood relief efforts in Pakistan. The Kearsarge ARG/26th MEU's capabilities will allow sailors and Marines to provide food, water, transportation, and other support, in partnership with their military, to those in need.



The KSG ARG is comprised of commander, Amphibious Squadron FOUR (CPR-4), the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall and the amphibious transport dock ship USS Ponce.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=55326


We were gearing for a late September early October deployment.... needless to say Harry will be leaving a lot sooner!

Please keep these guys and gals in your prayers as they prepare to leave!

Blessings,

And They're gone again

Greetings,

During work ups... it does not take long...

before the are gone again!

What to do now...?


Blessings,

Hello Carter Hall

Greetings,

They are back...

A little early.

Hard to see them with the fence... and sign, but they are back...

for a little while at least!

For a very short while...


Blessings,

Operation Backpack for the ship

Greetings,

The USS Carter Hall's  FRG (Family Readiness Group) is working on our very own Operation Backpack.

Our goal is to supply 50 kids with backpacks filled with school essentials.

We took the local school supply list.... added up the required items... and I almost fell out.... the costs can be a little intimidating.

Over $57 dollars for school supplies (and that's buying the cheap stuff).

Imagine when a family has 3 or more kids.

SO ... we are have been school shopping...

A little bit of this...

A little bit of that...

Non-toxic glue sticks... for those kids who like the taste of glue!

And you can never have enough Germ-x when kids are around.

Hopefully, this helps a few of our families in need.

Now to find backpacks...


Blessings,

Article of interest

Civilians rushed to aid Marine pilot in Ocala National Forest

Pilot ejected, was flown to Shands in Gainesville

SALT SPRINGS — Brandon Coon was raking leaves at his grandfather's home Sunday evening when he saw that a passing military jet was in trouble. SALT SPRINGS — Brandon Coon was raking leaves at his grandfather's home Sunday evening when he saw that a passing military jet was in trouble.

The teenager ran to get his grandfather, Gerald Sherrer, 59, and the two jumped into a pickup and raced toward the area where the plane had disappeared.

At the end of Northeast 77th Street, where it meets State Road 19, Brandon first spotted a mushroom cloud. Then he saw the pilot drifting toward the ground in his parachute.

The pilot appeared motionless, his chin drooped against his chest, as the wind carrying him west of SR 19.

Sherrer told Brandon to keep an eye on the pilot. They turned west on Forest Road 46, which used to be called Forest Road 10, and drove down the clay road until Brandon lost sight of the pilot.

As the truck came to the top of a ridge, Sherrer said he believed the pilot should be somewhere close, just out of sight.

"That's when I saw the flare," said Brandon, who held the flare shell in his hand, a gift he later received from the pilot.

The pair walked 100 yards and found the pilot, U.S. Marine Capt. Jarrod L. Klement, 29, who was still in his parachute harness. He was alive and alert.

"Who are you?" Klement asked.

Brandon and Sherrer helped Klement back to the pickup, where the pilot sat down on the tailgate and called his wife to let her know he was OK.

Klement told the pair he blacked out after he ejected and that his back hurt. Brandon noticed he had burns on his hand.

Moments later, area resident Erica Dahl, who had also seen the distressed plane, pulled up and Sherrer told her to go to the highway and flag down law enforcement or rescue officials and lead them to the scene.

Military investigators were expected to comb through the wreckage this afternoon looking for clues about what caused the Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier to go down about two miles south of where Klement landed.

The crash site is directly across from Silver Glen Springs, somewhere near the Yearling Trail, in a remote, unpopulated region known as Juniper Wilderness Area.

Though the pilot suffered just minor injuries, he was flown by helicopter to Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

"We (Marine Corps) are very thankful, very grateful and very pleased that no one was seriously injured and no one was killed and our Marine was able to walk away and that he was OK," said Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper, a public affairs officer with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Air Unit out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Piper said the unit deployed on three U.S. Naval ships out of Norfolk, Va., to undergo training exercises before deploying overseas. By Sunday evening, the fleet had reached the east coast of Florida near Jacksonville, he said.

He said the fleet — which included the Navy ships U.S.S. Kearsarge, U.S.S. Ponce and the U.S.S. Carter Hall — were performing humanitarian aid training.

The plane took off from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kearsarge and flew inland. Piper said he had just arrived at Naval Air Station Jacksonville when he heard something had gone wrong with the mission.

Moments later, area resident Erica Dahl, who had also seen the distressed plane, pulled up and Sherrer told her to go to the highway and flag down law enforcement or rescue officials and lead them to the scene.

Military investigators were expected to comb through the wreckage this afternoon looking for clues about what caused the Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier to go down about two miles south of where Klement landed.

The crash site is directly across from Silver Glen Springs, somewhere near the Yearling Trail, in a remote, unpopulated region known as Juniper Wilderness Area.

Though the pilot suffered just minor injuries, he was flown by helicopter to Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

"We (Marine Corps) are very thankful, very grateful and very pleased that no one was seriously injured and no one was killed and our Marine was able to walk away and that he was OK," said Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper, a public affairs officer with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Air Unit out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Piper said the unit deployed on three U.S. Naval ships out of Norfolk, Va., to undergo training exercises before deploying overseas. By Sunday evening, the fleet had reached the east coast of Florida near Jacksonville, he said.

He said the fleet — which included the Navy ships U.S.S. Kearsarge, U.S.S. Ponce and the U.S.S. Carter Hall — were performing humanitarian aid training.

The plane took off from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kearsarge and flew inland. Piper said he had just arrived at Naval Air Station Jacksonville when he heard something had gone wrong with the mission.

Moments later, area resident Erica Dahl, who had also seen the distressed plane, pulled up and Sherrer told her to go to the highway and flag down law enforcement or rescue officials and lead them to the scene.

Military investigators were expected to comb through the wreckage this afternoon looking for clues about what caused the Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier to go down about two miles south of where Klement landed.

The crash site is directly across from Silver Glen Springs, somewhere near the Yearling Trail, in a remote, unpopulated region known as Juniper Wilderness Area.

Though the pilot suffered just minor injuries, he was flown by helicopter to Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

"We (Marine Corps) are very thankful, very grateful and very pleased that no one was seriously injured and no one was killed and our Marine was able to walk away and that he was OK," said Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper, a public affairs officer with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Air Unit out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Piper said the unit deployed on three U.S. Naval ships out of Norfolk, Va., to undergo training exercises before deploying overseas. By Sunday evening, the fleet had reached the east coast of Florida near Jacksonville, he said.

He said the fleet — which included the Navy ships U.S.S. Kearsarge, U.S.S. Ponce and the U.S.S. Carter Hall — were performing humanitarian aid training.

The plane took off from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kearsarge and flew inland. Piper said he had just arrived at Naval Air Station Jacksonville when he heard something had gone wrong with the mission.

http://www.ocala.com/article/20100719/ARTICLES/7191008/1402/NEWS?p=1&tc=pg

AVV..amphibious assault vehicle

Greetings,


I am impressed with the MC (military name for photographers) photo capabilities....

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 13, 2010) An amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) approaches the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) participating in a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the East Coast of the United States. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released)


Seriously... this photo looks like a recruitment advertisement.


Blessings,

He loved airplanes

Greetings,

And now he loves him some ships...

when you combine the two:

an airplane on a ship....

(July 7, 2010) The amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) departs Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek. Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) participating in a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) from off the East Coast of the United States. COMPTUEX is designed to provide realistic training environments that closely replicate the operational challenges routinely encountered during military operations around the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released)


Well... he is just more than one person can stand! (means he is very excited)


I think Harry may be having too much fun for this to be called work!

Blessings,

More from Harry

Greetings,


NORFOLK (July 7, 2010) The amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) departs Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek. 


Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) participating in a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) from off the East Coast of the United States. 


COMPTUEX is designed to provide realistic training environments that closely replicate the operational challenges routinely encountered during military operations around the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released)

Harry is enjoying himself...


He will do anything to get out of house work!




Blessings, 

More from the Carter Hall

Greetings,

(July 7, 2010) The amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) departs Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek. Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) participating in a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) from off the East Coast of the United States. COMPTUEX is designed to provide realistic training environments that closely replicate the operational challenges routinely encountered during military operations around the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released)








Blessings,